Utility of Immediate Post Placental Insertion of Intrauterine Device During Cesarean Delivery

Iraq is a country that ranks 33rd around world population growth rate. Meanwhile it is one of the counties in the middle east with the highest fertility rate, In addition to the considerable number of unintended pregnancy mainly in postpartum period.

The less use of family planning methods, the higher the fertility rate and the less interpregnancy interval which will carry an obvious more risk to the mother and the fetus especially if the cesarean delivery rate shown an increase trend as the case in Iraq. For that reason, contraception needs to be practiced in this critical period and an intrauterine contraceptive device ( IUD), the most commonly used reversible method of contraception worldwide could be an excellent choice during this period.

There were few evidences available about the safety and feasibility on practicing this type of contraception when we did start three years ago and no previous evidences in Iraq about practicing this method at the immediate postpartum period.

Setting and design:

It is a single arm prospective clinical trial. That had been conducted at Al Elweyia Maternity Teaching Hospital and Al Hayat Private Hospital in Baghdad during the period from Sept., 1st, 2015 to Jan.,1st, 2019. Women delivering in those hospitals fulfilling inclusion criteria were included in the study after obtaining informed consent. The study protocol was approved by the ethical committee.

Data collection:

180 women were enrolled in the study, only 150 of them completed the study as thirty women we couldn't reach them through their contact numbers.

Intervention:

They had immediate post-partum insertion of Copper IUD (Cu-T 380A) after delivery of placenta immediately at cesarean delivery. To overcome the considerable expulsion rate in the previous studies, we stabilize the IUD in place at the uterine fundus by an absorbable suture; vicryl 0 that was introduced through the fundus ( from out to in), held the needle with sponge holder that was introduce up the fundus and taken out the vicryl through the lower uterine incision, cutting the needle, warped the vicryl around the the T arm of the IUD and withdrawn back to be placed inside the uterine cavity near the fundus. Before closing the uterine incision, the threads were placed in the lower uterine segment, then the uterine incision was closed routinely.

Follow up:

Women were assessed before discharge from the hospital looking for any excessive bleeding and were provided with a mobile number to call, in case she has any problem with the device that had been inserted.

Women were reassessed at six weeks postpartum, where speculum examination was done and if IUD threads was seen, they were trimmed at 2 cm from external os, otherwise if the threads of IUD were not seen a pelvic ultrasonography was done to confirm the presence of IUD in situ.

Women then were reassessed at yearly intervals for 3 years, looking for the occurrence of excessive bleeding during subsequent menstruation, for abdominal pain and abnormal vaginal discharge, missed threads, expulsion rate, continuation rate and how far they do recommend this method of contraception for other women.

Statistical analysis:

The data analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The data presented as mean, standard deviation and ranges. Categorical data presented by frequencies and percentages. Chi square test was used to assess the association between complication of IUD and certain information. Significance level was set at P \< 0.05.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Women who delivered by caesarean section whether elective or emergency, counseled for IUD insertion in pre- natal period or at the time of labour and who has the will and her husband to be engaged in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Women with positive test for STIs (e.g. gonorrhea or chlamydia) in this pregnancy.
* Uterine anomaly that was known to distort the uterine cavity; whether uterine fibroid or congenital uterine anomalies.
* Developed postpartum hemorrhage.
* Diagnosed chorioamnionitis, intrapartum fever, or ruptured membranes for greater than 24 hours prior to delivery.
* Placenta previa or accrete.
* Anemia during pregnancy (Hb \< 10 g/dl).