Dynamic pregnancy intentions
Study shows 12-month changes in pregnancy timing intentions using data
from HER Salt Lake

Date:
September 30, 2021
Source:
University of Utah
Summary:
A study found that pregnancy intentions often change over as short
as a 12-month time period, and that they specifically vary with
partner status, household income, and employment status.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Deciding when to start or grow a family is deeply personal and
complex. When someone begins using a contraceptive, it may seem obvious
they are not planning to get pregnant anytime soon. But a study recently published in PLOS ONE found that pregnancy intentions often change over
as short as a 12-month time period, and that they specifically vary with partner status, household income, and employment status.


========================================================================== "When we think about whether or when people would like become pregnant,
people often assume that there is one big life plan," said Claudia Geist, associate professor and associate Dean for Research in the University
of Utah's School for Cultural and Social Transformation and lead author
of the study. "However, we know that things shift across the lifespan."
While some studies have identified potential factors that influence
pregnancy decisions, few studies have assessed how these decisions may
change or shift over time and which personal circumstances are associated
with the change. This study aimed to support providers in being more
flexible and responsive to contraceptive clients' needs. Understanding
how much pregnancy intentions can change in just one year adds to ongoing efforts to de-stigmatize and support the common practices of switching
and ending various contraceptive methods.

The researchers followed a cohort of people who participated in the HER
Salt Lake Contraceptive Initiative, a prospective study that recruited participants from four family planning clinics in Salt Lake County,
Utah between September 2015, and March 2017. Eligible participants were
between ages 18 and 45 and either initiating a new contraceptive or
switching to a different contraceptive method. In addition, they needed
to be intending to prevent pregnancy for at least one year.

The analysis includes 2,825 participants who provided pregnancy
intention data at both the time of enrollment and the 12-month
follow-up. Participants were asked to respond to the question, "What
are your future pregnancy plans?" Response options included:
1. "I am currently trying to get pregnant" (only available at 12-month
follow-up)
2. "I would like to get pregnant in the next year" 3. "I would like
to get pregnant in the next 2-5 years, but not in the next
year"
4. "I would like to get pregnant in the next 5-10 years, but not before
then"
5. "I am uncertain if or when I would like to become pregnant" (only
available at enrollment)
6. I do not plan on getting pregnant at any time in the future
7. "Other"
At the 12-month follow up, the majority (79%) of participants maintained
their pregnancy timing intention, while just under 20% reported a
change. Among those who initially said they never wanted a pregnancy, 22% changed their mind over the course of a year. About 10% of participants
shifted their pregnancy timing to desire a pregnancy earlier than at
the time of enrollment.

"I expected change, but I didn't expect as much change as we found,"
said Geist. "We found that economic stability, including more household
income and/ or full-time employment, seems to put people in a frame of
mind where they consider a pregnancy after previously stating to never
want a pregnancy." In addition to economic stability, researchers
considered relationship status, sexual identity and educational status
and aspiration. Exploring the associations between changes in personal circumstances and shifts in pregnancy intentions, researchers hope to
offer insight to clinicians who provide contraception.

"The rapid changes we found over 12 months are a stark reminder that
health care providers need to check in frequently about the pregnancy
desires of their patients," said Geist.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Utah. Original written
by Morgan Aguilar.

Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. C. Geist, B. G. Everett, R. G. Simmons, J. N. Sanders, L. M. Gawron,
K.

Myers, D. K. Turok. Changing lives, dynamic plans: Prospective
assessment of 12-month changes in pregnancy timing intentions and
personal circumstances using data from HER Salt Lake. PLOS ONE,
2021; 16 (9): e0257411 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257411 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210930160441.htm

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