BackgroundShort interpregnancy intervals (IPIs) are associated with adverse obstetric outcomes. However, few studies have explored women’s understanding of ideal IPIs or investigated knowledge of the consequences of short IPIs.MethodsWe performed a prospective questionnaire-based study at two hospitals in Sydney, Australia. We recruited women attending antenatal clinics and collected demographic data, actual IPI, ideal IPI, contraceptive use, and education provided on birth-spacing and contraception following a previous live birth. We explored associations between an IPI <12 months and a selection of demographic and health variables.ResultsData were collected from 467 women, of whom 344 were pregnant following a live birth. Overall, 72 (20.9%) women had an IPI <12 months only 7.5% of whom believed this was ideal, and the remaining stating their ideal IPI was over 12 months (52.3%) or they had no ideal IPI (40.3%). IPI <12 months following a live birth was significantly associated with younger age (p=0.043) but not with ethnicity, relationship status, education, religion, parity nor previous mode of delivery. IPI <12 months was associated with non-use of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) (p<0.001), breastfeeding <12 months (p=0.041) and shorter ideal IPI (p=0.03). Less than half of the women (43.3%, n=149) reported having received advice about IPI and less than half about postnatal contraception (44.2%, n=147).ConclusionsYounger age and non-use of LARC are significantly associated with IPIs <12 months. A minority of women with a short IPI perceived it to be ideal. Prevention of short IPIs could be achieved with improved access to postnatal contraception.
