Increasing Contraception Utilization Among Women Prescribed Teratogenic Medications

Typically, the CTIS Pregnancy Health Information Line in the Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine at the University of California educates pregnant women who call the Information Line after an exposure to a medication that might be harmful to the developing baby has already taken place, and therefore the opportunity for prevention of that exposure no longer exists. Frequently these pregnancies are unintended and occur due to the lack of effective contraceptive use. This study facilitates patient access at UCSD to specialized and individualized contraceptive counseling for women of reproductive age who are currently taking a medication that might be risky in a future pregnancy. This study also measures the impact of individualized contraceptive counseling in changing contraceptive behavior. Primary Hypothesis: EPIC (EMR)/physician-facilitated referral of female patients of reproductive age to an existing specialized counseling service at UCSD will improve the utilization of more effective contraception among women of reproductive age who are prescribed medications that might be harmful to the developing fetus.