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Abstract
Insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD) at different times or by different routes
during the postpartum period may increase the risk of complications.
We searched Medline, Lilacs and Cochrane Collaboration databases for articles in any
language, between database inception until December 2008, which compared outcomes
of postpartum IUD insertion time intervals. Search terms included postpartum, puerperium,
postcesarean delivery, cesarean section, IUD(s), IUCD(s), intrauterine device(s) and
insertion.
From 297 articles, we identified 15 for inclusion in this review: all studies examined
the outcomes from copper IUD insertions within the postpartum time period compared
to other time intervals or compared routes (vaginal or via hysterotomy) of postpartum
insertion. No studies of levonorgestrel IUDs were identified. Immediate IUD insertion
(within 10 min of placental delivery) was safe when compared with later postpartum
time periods and interval insertion. Immediate postpartum IUD insertion demonstrated
lower expulsion rates when compared with delayed postpartum insertion but with higher
rates than interval insertion. Immediate insertion following cesarean delivery demonstrated
lower expulsion rates than immediate insertion following vaginal delivery.
Poor to fair quality evidence from 15 articles demonstrated no increase in risk of
complications among women who had an IUD inserted during the postpartum period; however,
some increase in expulsion rates occurred with delayed postpartum insertion when compared
to immediate insertion and with immediate insertion when compared to interval insertion.
Postplacental placements during cesarean delivery are associated with lower expulsion
rates than postplacental vaginal insertions, without increasing rates of postoperative
complications.