Contraceptive trends and fetal outcome in women with short and long interpregnancy interval: a prospective observational study

Background: The present study was conducted at our tertiary health centre with the objective of analyzing contraceptive trends and fetal outcome in women with various interpregnancy interval (IPI). Methods: The present study was a prospective observational study. Women were segregated into three categories as per their IPI (short, normal and long) and contraceptive trends and fetal outcome were deliberated. All women attending ANC clinic with previous pregnancy, regardless of outcome and registration status were included in our study. Results: We found that 21.1% of women with short IPI were unaware about contraception and this difference was statistically significant. It was seen that among women not using any method of contraception, majority had short ICP, almost 31.1% cases. This difference was also statistically significant. Amidst those with adverse outcomes of previous pregnancy, i.e. 169 cases, 87 cases i.e. 51.5% of the women conceived within 2 years. Short IPI is linked with an escalated risk of low birth weight, preterm birth and congenital anomaly whereas long IPI caused large for gestational age babies. Conclusions: Contraception and previous pregnancy outcome have a significant effect on interpregnancy interval which in turn affects the maternal and fetal outcome. So it is essential to maintain an optimum interpregnancy interval as most of these complications are avoidable. Short interpregnancy interval is associated with low birth weight, preterm and congenital anomaly whereas long interpregnancy interval is associated with large for gestational age babies