Immediate versus delayed postpartum insertion of long-acting reversible contraception methods: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis of randomized trials comparing the immediate versus delayed provision of long-acting reversible contraceptives in postpartum subjects, focusing on short-interval pregnancies, utilization rates, and adverse events. DATA SOURCES Cochrane Central, Embase, PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov were systematically searched from inception up to December 19, 2023, without filters or language limitation. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA We selected randomized controlled trials assessing the immediate insertion of long-acting reversible contraceptives in women during postpartum period in comparison with the delayed provision. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS: We calculated relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals to analyze the primary outcome of utilization rates and secondary endpoints, including initiation rates, pregnancy, any breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, and serious adverse events. A random effects model was employed in the R software. Moreover, we assessed the risk of bias of selected RCTs using version 2 of the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool. RESULTS: We included 24 randomized trials comprising 2,507 participants, of whom 1,293 (51.6%) were randomized to the immediate insertion. Postpartum women in the immediate group had lower risk of pregnancy (RR 0.16; 95% CI 0.04-0.71; P = 0.02) compared with delayed group, and higher rates of long-acting reversible contraceptives at 6 months of follow-up (RR 1.23; 95% CI 1.09-1.37; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Inserting long-acting reversible contraceptives before hospital discharge was associated with a reduction in the risk of pregnancy, and increased rates of its utilization at 6 months of follow-up. This intervention may be an effective contraception strategy for postpartum women.