Unintended Pregnancy Prevention: Home |
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Unintended
Pregnancy
An unintended pregnancy is a pregnancy that is either mistimed or
unwanted at the time of conception. It is a core concept in understanding
the fertility of populations and the unmet need for contraception.
Unintended pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of morbidity for
women, and with health behaviors during pregnancy that are associated with
adverse effects. For example, women with an unintended pregnancy may delay
prenatal care, which may affect the health of the infant. Women of all ages
may have unintended pregnancies, but some groups, such as teens, are at a
higher risk.
In 2001, approximately one-half of pregnancies in the United States were
unintended (Finer 2006, Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health), and the United
States has set a national goal of decreasing unintended pregnancies to 30%
by 2010.
Efforts to decrease unintended pregnancy include finding better forms of
contraception, and increasing contraceptive use and adherence. Research has
also focused on better understanding pregnancy intention and how it is
measured. As one study suggests, “A better understanding of the multiple
dimensions of unintended pregnancy also may lead to a better understanding
of the consequences of these pregnancies” (Santelli 2003,
The Measurement
and Meaning of Unintended Pregnancy* ).
Adolescent Reproductive
Health
When teens give birth, their future prospects decline. Teen mothers
are less likely to complete high school and more likely to live in poverty
than other teens ...more
Division of Reproductive
Health's Unintended Pregnancy, STD, HIV, Intervention Research (USHIR)
Our mission is to conduct integrative research into the prevention of HIV,
sexually transmitted diseases, and unintended pregnancy and the promotion of
health among women of reproductive age, their partners, and their children
...more
PRAMS and Unintended Pregnancy
According to the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth, 49% of all
pregnancies in the United States and 31% of pregnancies resulting in a live
birth are unintended. Recent data from PRAMS show that these rates may not
be declining in all states.
Interactive Atlas of Reproductive Health
A web-based interactive geographic information system (GIS) dedicated to
reproductive health issues such as infant mortality, fertility, and low
birth weight.
Disparities in Rates of Unintended Pregnancy in the
United States, 1994 and 2001* Finer LB, Henshaw SK, Perspectives on Sexual Reproductive
Health, 2006:38:90–96.
PDF 3.27MB
Measuring
Factors Underlying Intendedness of Women’s First and Later Pregnancies*
(Alan Guttmacher Institute)
PDF 2.33MB
The
Measurement and Meaning of Unintended Pregnancy* (Alan Guttmacher
Institute)
Unintended pregnancy is an important concept for understanding the
fertility of populations and the need for contraception, but more
research is needed to elucidate the role of intentions in contraceptive
use and fertility. Clarifying issues of meaning and measurement is
fundamental to developing a more complete understanding of pregnancy
intentions, which would help improve public health and clinical
prevention programs aimed at preventing unintended pregnancy.
Insurance
Coverage of Unintended Pregnancies Resulting in Live-Born Infants
In the United States during 1994, approximately 49% of all
pregnancies, excluding miscarriages, were unintended. Unintended
pregnancy can result in adverse health outcomes that affect the mother,
infant, and family. Little is known about the distribution of unintended
pregnancy with respect to the payment source for health care. Source:
MMWR 1999;48(No.5).
Use of
Contraception and Use of Family Planning Services in the United States:
1982–2002; NCHS Fact Sheet for Advance Data
No. 350
PDF 1.5 MB
Search PubMed for articles on Unintended Pregnancy
This search is being conducted on PubMed an NLM/NIH service.
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Page last reviewed: 3/26/08
Page last modified: 4/4/07
Content source:
Division of Reproductive Health,
National Center for Chronic
Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
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