Pregnancy scares and change in contraceptive use

Objective: We examined whether the experience of a "pregnancy scare" is related to subsequent changes in contraceptive use that increase the risk of unintended pregnancy. Methods: We used data from the Relationship Dynamics and Social Life (RDSL) study, which interviewed a random, population-based sample of 1003 young women weekly for 2.5 years. We used multivariate regression models to predict the effect of experiencing a pregnancy scare on change in contraceptive use. Results: We found pregnancy scares are associated with changes in contraceptive use that increase the risk of pregnancy. Experiencing a pregnancy scare is related to discontinued contraceptive use, change from consistent to inconsistent use of contraception, and change from a more effective to a less effective method of contraception. We also found pregnancy scares are associated with continued inconsistent use of contraception. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the experience of a pregnancy scare does not serve as a "wake-up call" to start using contraception, to start using it consistently, or to switch to a more effective method to reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy. Instead, contraceptive use after a pregnancy scare typically remains the same or worsens. Implications: Clinicians should be aware that young women who have experienced pregnancy scares may be at increased risk of unintended pregnancy, relative to young women who did not experience a pregnancy scare. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.