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  • Title: A study of the lactational amenorrhoea method of family planning in New Zealand women.
    Author: France MM.
    Journal: N Z Med J; 1996 May 24; 109(1022):189-91. PubMed ID: 8657386.
    Abstract:
    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. A prospective study conducted among clients attending New Zealand Association of Natural Family Planning clinics confirmed that lactational amenorrhea is an effective means of avoiding pregnancy in the first 6 months postpartum. The 110 mothers who were fully breast feeding, not giving a pacifier, amenorrheic, and early postpartum in a 12-month period during 1991-92 were offered either the lactational amenorrhea method or the usual fertility awareness charting method. The former method was selected by 70 women, primarily because of its simplicity, and 34 (48.6%) women continued to meet all the study criteria 6 months after the birth of their baby. The early introduction of supplementary solid foods was a significant cause of lack of continued eligibility. In contrast, only 19.5% of women using the fertility awareness method were still fully breast feeding and amenorrheic at 6 months postpartum. None of the mothers using the lactational amenorrhea method conceived during the study period; however, there were 2 pregnancies in the fertility awareness group.
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