Prolonged interpregnancy interval: a marker for non use of contraception and unplanned pregnancy

Summary

Fifty-six women with a prolonged interpregnancy interval of 7 years or more were identified over a 5 month period, and a questionnaire administered in the post-partum period, investigating the prolonged interval. Fifty-six women with interpregnancy intervals less than 7 years acted as controls. Thirty six (64 per cent) of the pregnancies were unplanned compared with 26 (46 per cent) in the control group. Four women in the study group had actually sought terminations, compared with none in the control group. All four had their requests for termination turned down as they presented in advanced pregnancy, to their gynaecologists having not realised they were pregnant until too late. This suggests a blunting of the pregnancy experience by the prolonged interval, in this group of women.