A study of the lactational amenorrhoea method of family planning in New Zealand women.

AIM

To evaluate the acceptance and efficacy of the lactational amenorrhoea method of family planning in breastfeeding clients attending clinics of the NZ Association of Natural Family Planning.

METHODS

Mothers who were fully breastfeeding their babies, were amenorrhoeic and were early postpartum were offered for the purpose of family planning either lactational amenorrhoea method or the usual fertility awareness charting method. The clients who chose lactational amenorrhoea method were contacted at monthly intervals to check if they continued to meet the lactational amenorrhoea method criteria of fully breastfeeding and amenorrhoea. The fertility awareness group followed the normal practice of clinic visits for instruction until they became autonomous users. The status of both groups were assessed at 6 months postpartum when lactational amenorrhoea method users were advised to adopt another family planning method.

RESULTS

Of 149 breastfeeding clients, 110 met the lactational amenorrhoea method criteria. Seventy chose lactational amenorrhoea method, the majority (56.7%) because of its simplicity. Thirty (48.6%) of initial lactational amenorrhoea method users were able to use the method for the full 6 months postpartum period. None of the women conceived while using lactational amenorrhoea method.

CONCLUSION

For mothers who choose to fully breastfeed and who maintain a state of amenorrhoea lactational amenorrhoea method is an effective means of avoiding pregnancy during the first 6 months postpartum.