Postpartum Family Planning

Investigators will conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effects of immediate postpartum initiation of DMPA on breastfeeding and long-term contraceptive use. Investigators will randomize approximately 429 adult women who have delivered a healthy, full-term infant at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (OSUWMC), who intend to breastfeed for ≥6 months, and who want to use DMPA (Depo-Provera; Pfizer Corp.) Note that because of anticipated screening failures, investigators will enroll more than the number randomized (i.e., up to 800 women). Investigators will randomize women to receive within 48 hours of delivery: 1) DMPA ("intervention" arm), 2) placebo injection ("placebo" arm) or 3) no injection ("open control" arm). The first two arms will be blinded while the open control arm will be unblinded. Note that postpartum patients at the study site do not receive DMPA before discharge as standard care. At enrollment, women will receive condom counseling and provision and referral for contraception at 12 weeks (intervention and placebo arms) or at 6 weeks postpartum (open control arm). Investigators will collect data on lactogenesis, infant feeding and growth, and contraception use during 12 follow-up months. Investigators conducted a pilot study (N=100) in the target population, which supports the feasibility of the current trial.