Unintended Pregnancy and Interpregnancy Interval by Maternal Age, National Survey of Family Growth

Authors

Katherine A. Ahrens PhD, University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public ServiceFollow
Maria E. Thoma PhD, University of Maryland
Casey E. Copen, National Center for Health Statistics
Brittni N. Frederiksen, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Emily J. Decker, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Susan Moskosky MS, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1-2018

Publication Title

National Survey of Family Growth. Contraception

Keywords

Birth spacing, Interpregnancy intervals, Postpartum contraception, Pregnancy intention

Abstract

Background: The relationship between unintended pregnancy and interpregnancy interval (IPI) across maternal age is not clear. Methods: Using data from the National Survey of Family Growth, we estimated the percentages of pregnancies that were unintended among IPI groups (<6, 6-11, 12-17, 18-23, 24+ months) by maternal age at last live birth (15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-44 years). Results: Approximately 40% of pregnancies were unintended and 36% followed an IPI<18 months. Within each maternal age group, the percentage of pregnancies that were unintended decreased as IPI increased. Conclusion: Unintended pregnancies are associated with shorter IPI across the reproductive age spectrum.

Comments

Financial support: This work was performed under employment by the US federal government; the authors did not receive any outside funding.

Recommended Citation

Ahrens, K.A., Thoma, M.E., Copen, C.E., Frederiksen, B.N., Decker, E.J., & Moskosky, S. (2018). Unintended Pregnancy and Interpregnancy Interval by Maternal Age, National Survey of Family Growth. Contraception, 98(1), 52-55.