What is this intervention?

• PPFP is the provision of FP services for women during the first year after delivery. Return to fertility can occur prior to the onset of menses, especially when mothers introduce complimentary foods to their infants. When return to sexual activity occurs earlier than what was traditionally practiced, providers and mothers may not perceive the risk of another pregnancy.
• Evidence-based interventions include: postpartum IUDs; provision of FP counseling within the first 48 hours after birth; integrating FP messages at time of immunization; training MCH staff on PPFP methods compatible with breastfeeding, community involvement to promote the benefits of healthy spacing of pregnancies through FP; and training for pre-service and in-service providers, as well as community health volunteers.

Why is this intervention needed?

• A pregnancy that occurs within 24 months after the last birth increases the risks of adverse outcomes for the mother, her current baby and her new pregnancy.
• Studies show that mothers are very receptive to receiving FP messages during the immediate postpartum period, and have a greater chance of accepting and using a modern method six months postpartum when counseled during this period.
• Many women wrongly assume that they are not at risk of pregnancy if they are breastfeeding, and couples may not admit to sexual activity during lactation due to the sexual taboo.

Countries with MCHIP PPFP Activities: Ghana, Liberia, Bolivia, Malawi, Guinea, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nigeria, Albania and interests from Mali and Zimbabwe.