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Only 56.6% of women who were not trying to get pregnant at the time, were using some form of birth control at the time they got pregnant.
Every Woman Connecticut
Join the "EVERY WOMAN CONNECTICUT" Learning Collaborative to give babies in your community a healthy start and ensure that all women and men are as healthy as the can possibly be throughout the course of their life, whether they want to start a family or not.
The Facts
Nearly 3 out of 10 pregnancies in Connecticut in 2013 were unplanned.
40.7% of postpartum women using birth control, were using less or least effective methods of birth control.
Only 27.4% of women reported having a "preconception health" discussion with their health care provider prior to becoming pregnant, to help them prepare for a healthy pregnancy.
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48.5% of women were overweight or obese prior to becoming pregnant.
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19.8% of women were taking medication other than birth control prior to becoming pregnant.
12.8% of mothers received late or no prenatal care, while 22.9% received inadequate prenatal care.
Non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanics, younger women (20 and 20-24 years), and women who were on Medicaid or uninsured were disproportionately affected buy poor heath status before, during, and after a pregnancy, unintended pregnancies, and poor birth outcomes.
The Challenge
Although preconception care guidelines exist, there its no standardized model for delivering pre-/inter-conception care. As a result, the consequences of current practice include:
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Delayed prenatal care; missed opportunities for best practice in prenatal care
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Women at increased risk of untreated chronic diseases, depression, anxiety and physical abuse
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Disparities in preterm birth, low birth weight, and infant mortality rates
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immediate and long term health problems for both mother and infant
WHAT COULD WE DO DIFFERENTLY?
Screen for Pregnancy the way we screen for other preventable conditions BUT in this case we want to know about intention.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BECOME PREGNANT IN THE NEXT YEAR?
One Key Question (OKQ) is a screening tool to identify each woman’s need for reproductive health care. It opens the door to appropriate care, depending on whether she responds yes, no, or maybe/I’m OK either way.
In order for pre-/inter-conception health care to become an integral part of routine care within different health care settings and in non-clinical interactions, new tools, structures, and processes need to be created, disseminated, and institutionally supported. Contact Every Woman CT at (203) 850-7724 or everywomanCT@gmail.com to learn more.
DOWNLOAD – GOALS FOR A HEALTHIER ME
CDC – PLANNING FOR PREGNANCY RESOURCES
DOWNLOAD – GOALS FOR A HEALTHIER ME AND BABY-TO-BE
