The postpartum IUD (PPIUD) is the insertion of an IUD within 10 minutes of the expulsion of the placenta or within the first 48 hours after delivery by a trained midwife or physician who are not typically FP providers. PPIUD is unique because it requires a different technique than interval insertion, requires specialized clinical training, and is often provided by skilled birth attendants rather than traditional FP providers.

The PPIUD allows clients to leave the facility with an effective method that does not affect breastfeeding and can be long- or short-acting based on clients’ needs. In addition, PPIUDs are cost-effective for both the client and the health system: for clients, there is no need to return to the clinic multiple times for FP; for providers, the process requires only minutes to perform post-delivery and needs fewer instruments than an interval insertion. When breastfeeding women use PPIUDs, they also do not need to “transition” to another method when they begin complementary feedings of their babies.