Patient satisfaction and the impact of written material about postpartum contraceptive decisions.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of written educational material about patient satisfaction and decision-making regarding postpartum contraception. Baseline patient satisfaction and effectiveness of contraceptive counseling on a postpartum unit was evaluated with the use of a self-administered questionnaire. Data were compared with patients who received additional comprehensive written educational material during their postpartum hospitalization. A total of 109 women participated in the study (control subjects, 53; intervention group, 56). Demographics and patient satisfaction with contraceptive counseling were similar between groups. Thirty-four percent of the control subjects reported having received some sort of written information; all women in the intervention group received a standardized comprehensive booklet of information during their postpartum stay (P <.01). Among the women who received written information, the intervention group was more likely to state that written material contributed to their ultimate choice in birth control (P <.01). The postpartum distribution of written material about contraceptive options increases a woman's ability to make an informed decision regarding birth control.