As a nurse who has cared for women and infants and now leads an organization dedicated to promoting their health, I know first-hand the value of reliable, accessible birth control. Birth control not only prevents pregnancy, but can also improve the health of women and their families.
Access to birth control allows a woman to plan, avoid, and space her pregnancies. Studies have shown that unplanned or poorly spaced pregnancies (pregnancies that are too close together or too far apart) can have a number of negative health effects for a woman and her baby. For the woman, risks include an increased likelihood of postpartum depression, obesity, uterine rupture, and conflict between the parents that causes more relationships to end. For the infant, unplanned or poorly spaced pregnancies are associated with higher instances of preterm birth, low birth weight, and even infant death.
The myriad benefits of birth control are undeniable. Yet not all types of birth control are covered by public insurance (Medicaid), which is accessed by those most in need. Consider long acting reversible contraception or LARC (this includes IUDs and implants), which are among the most effective forms of birth control. About half of the state-run Medicaid programs expect women to wait 6-8 weeks after birth for LARC insertion or fail to provide this type of coverage at all.
This gap in coverage for one of the most reliable methods of birth control is problematic for many reasons. Access to contraception immediately after birth is crucial for many women, especially those whose access is limited by a lack of paid leave, child care coverage, or transportation, all of which may make it difficult for the woman to return for a follow-up insertion appointment. If a woman must wait until her next check-up to receive LARC, she may already be pregnant again.
The nurses of AWHONN support insurance coverage for all FDA-approved contraceptives for all women, regardless of their age or if they've been pregnant in the past. We believe access to health care is a human right. Women should have the ability to choose a form of birth control they're comfortable with - one that aligns with their lifestyle and belief systems -- not a method they're forced to settle for simply because it's the only one covered by their insurance. Giving women birth control choices empowers them to make their own decisions based on their personal situations and leads to healthier women and babies. It's an outcome that benefits everyone.