How patients, partners, and providers shape postpartum contraception and timing of the next pregnancy

Patient, Partner, and Provider Determinants of Postpartum Contraception and Inter-Pregnancy Intervals

['FUNDING_R01'] · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · NIH-11294201

This project explores what influences postpartum contraceptive choices and how long people wait to get pregnant again after giving birth.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorNORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (CHICAGO, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11294201 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

From your perspective, researchers will collect information from people who recently gave birth, their partners, and their health care providers about contraception decisions, birth spacing, mental health, alcohol use, sleep, and access to care. They will use surveys, interviews, and medical record review over time to track who uses contraception and when subsequent pregnancies occur. The team will examine clinic workflows and counseling practices to identify barriers to patient-centered postpartum contraception. Results will be used to suggest ways clinics and providers can better support healthier intervals between pregnancies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are people who recently gave birth and their partners, along with postpartum care providers at participating clinics.

Not a fit: People who are not in the postpartum period or who receive care outside the participating clinics or geographic area are unlikely to directly participate or benefit from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help reduce short interpregnancy intervals and related risks like preterm birth by improving postpartum counseling and care.

How similar studies have performed: Prior research shows many postpartum patients miss comprehensive contraception counseling and experience short intervals between pregnancies, so this project builds on known gaps rather than testing a completely novel intervention.

Where this research is happening

CHICAGO, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.