Immediate Postpartum Contraception Access: A Comparison of South Carolina vs. North Carolina
Abstract
Introduction Immediate postpartum (IPP) contraception is one aspect of reducing unintended pregnancies. IPP contraception is important in South Carolina (SC) and North Carolina (NC) because of barriers surrounding contraception and the high rates of unintended pregnancies. This project compares IPP contraception access and education in SC and NC, with a focus on how SC’s Choose Well (CW) program implemented different practices. CW is a statewide initiative designed to improve access and education of IPP contraception through policy support, provider training, and patient education. A key component of CW is the Obstetric Nurse Navigator (OBNN) role, which was key for education and training. Methods This project used a comparative qualitative review of existing literature, data reports, interviews, and key findings from the programs in SC and NC. Key comparisons include access to IPP contraception, structure and timing of patient education, and how the OBNN role improved education, training, and coordination for IPP contraception. Results and Conclusions Major themes that emerged included financial barriers, policy-level factors, educational roles, and variations in implementation (e.g., eligible women, location). In SC, CW was statewide with funding from different levels. Policies allowed for the expansion and benefit of IPP contraception, including long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) like IUDs. Contrarily, NC’s Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) project lacked statewide support and faced policy limitations. This program focused on 2 counties in Western North Carolina and targeted at-risk women with unintended pregnancies, which limited the impact. These themes emphasize how education, supportive policies, and sustainable funding work together to improve postpartum contraception access and patient/provider understanding. Overall, the comparison between SC and NC implicates how practice and policy shape access to IPP contraception. CW’s statewide implementation and use of the OBNN role allowed for broader education and coordination across SC, whereas MAHEC's program was regionally limited.
Start Time
15-4-2026 1:30 PM
End Time
15-4-2026 4:30 PM
Room Number
Culp Ballroom 316
Poster Number
37
Presentation Type
Poster
Presentation Subtype
Posters - Competitive
Presentation Category
Health
Student Type
Undergraduate Student
Faculty Mentor
Amy Weber
Immediate Postpartum Contraception Access: A Comparison of South Carolina vs. North Carolina
Culp Ballroom 316
Introduction Immediate postpartum (IPP) contraception is one aspect of reducing unintended pregnancies. IPP contraception is important in South Carolina (SC) and North Carolina (NC) because of barriers surrounding contraception and the high rates of unintended pregnancies. This project compares IPP contraception access and education in SC and NC, with a focus on how SC’s Choose Well (CW) program implemented different practices. CW is a statewide initiative designed to improve access and education of IPP contraception through policy support, provider training, and patient education. A key component of CW is the Obstetric Nurse Navigator (OBNN) role, which was key for education and training. Methods This project used a comparative qualitative review of existing literature, data reports, interviews, and key findings from the programs in SC and NC. Key comparisons include access to IPP contraception, structure and timing of patient education, and how the OBNN role improved education, training, and coordination for IPP contraception. Results and Conclusions Major themes that emerged included financial barriers, policy-level factors, educational roles, and variations in implementation (e.g., eligible women, location). In SC, CW was statewide with funding from different levels. Policies allowed for the expansion and benefit of IPP contraception, including long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) like IUDs. Contrarily, NC’s Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) project lacked statewide support and faced policy limitations. This program focused on 2 counties in Western North Carolina and targeted at-risk women with unintended pregnancies, which limited the impact. These themes emphasize how education, supportive policies, and sustainable funding work together to improve postpartum contraception access and patient/provider understanding. Overall, the comparison between SC and NC implicates how practice and policy shape access to IPP contraception. CW’s statewide implementation and use of the OBNN role allowed for broader education and coordination across SC, whereas MAHEC's program was regionally limited.
