A new study has found thatintrauterine device (IUD) option has become available right after giving birth for new mothers in the United States who are covered with government-sponsored health insurance.

Dr. Michelle Moniz, researcher from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and lead author of the study, said, “Immediate insertion is associated with more women who want an IUD implant actually getting it, higher use at three months postpartum, and lower rates of unplanned rapid repeat pregnancies within 12 to 24 months of delivery”. It has been found that the strategy is cost-effective, Moniz added.

Today, the devices are easily available for women immediately after giving birth, but three year ago,no state Medicaid programs covered for the devices to be given immediately after giving birth. In just three years,Medicaid has started paying for the devices in about 19 US states, according to the study.

Moniz said the shift indicates that offeringT-shaped IUDs right after the delivery is a safe and effective way to increase contraceptive use among new moms. It also reflects that the strategy decreases the health risks to a mother and her baby, Moniz added.

Medicaid is a health insurance program by US government for poor people that pays for about 50% births in the country. Apart from the federal government,states governments finance the insurance program.

Moniz and colleagues conducted the study in 39 states and the District of Columbia in 2014 and 2015. The remaining states’ officials did not confirm to participate in the study.
“For women who are not likely to follow up after they give birth, this means that they leave the hospital with effective contraception,” Bryant, who wasn’t involved in the study, said by email.

“IUDs are a great option for women wanting to space births, since they are so easy to use and can be in place for several years at a time,” Bryant added.