First Steps Database - Postpartum Family Planning Services

This report describes changes in birth spacing and postpartum use of family planning services after the extension of family planning services. Data indicate that the rate of subsequent births within two years has decreased by 23% for all Washington women. For women who gave birth in 1990-92, 12.6% had another birth within two years. For women who gave birth in 1995-96, that rate decreased to 9.7%. The largest decrease in subsequent birth rate occurred among undocumented women. Among these women, the subsequent birth rate decreased from 19.3% for births in 1990-92 to 10.0% in 1995-96. This represents a decrease of nearly one-half in the rate of subsequent births.