Unintended Pregnancy
Definition
A pregnancy that is either mistimed, or that is unwanted at the time of conception.
Why Does This Matter?
Unintended pregnancy is key to understanding the fertility of populations and the unmet need for contraception.
An unintended pregnancy may influence a woman’s behavior before, during, and after pregnancy, and affect the health of her baby.
By the time she discovers she is pregnant, a woman may have already engaged in activities that can harm the fetus,
such as ingestion of alcohol, tobacco or drugs. And she is less likely to have had adequate preconception and prenatal care.
A woman with an unintended pregnancy is also likely to:
- Have inadequate pre-pregnancy folic acid intake.
- Have poorly controlled chronic diseases, such as diabetes, before and during pregnancy.
- Be at increased risk for preterm birth and low infant birthweight.
- Be less likely to breastfeed.
- Experience poor bonding and attachment with her baby.
- Be at increased risk of abusing or neglecting her child.
- Be at increased risk for perinatal depression.
About half (49%) of pregnancies each year in the U.S. are unintended, and about half of these unintended
pregnancies end in abortion. Unplanned pregnancies often result from failure to use any contraception,
less effective contraceptive methods, noncompliance with effective contraceptive methods, or a lack of control
over fertility (for example, the refusal of the male partner to use contraception). Women with unintended pregnancy
are 2.5 times more likely to be physically abused around the time of pregnancy.
For further information, please read the LA Best Babies Network Perinatal Scorecard
Unintended Pregnancy in the United States by Type and Income (2002) |
|
|
Enlarge [+] |
Income as % of Federal Poverty Level
|
Pregnancy was Unintended
|
||
Percent
(%)
|
SE
|
95% CI
|
|
0-100%
|
51.9
|
2.0
|
48.1-55.8
|
101-200%
|
47.3
|
2.6
|
42.2-52.4
|
201-300%
|
41.5
|
4.2
|
33.3-49.7
|
301-400%
|
34.0
|
4.5
|
25.3-42.8
|
Over 400%
|
20.2
|
2.2
|
15.9-24.5
|
Missing income information
|
36.3
|
3.6
|
29.1-43.4
|
Enlarge [+] |
Sources: Finer LB et al. Persp Sex Reprod Health. 2006, http://www.cdph.ca.gov/data/surveys/Documents/MO-TableA1-LA-PregnancyIntention.xls Maternal and Infant Health Assessment (MIHA) 2005-2006 sample |
Unintended Pregnancy and Usage of Birth control in LA County by Education Level (2005-2006) |
|
|
Enlarge [+] |
Education Level
|
Pregnancy was Unintended
|
Using Birth control at Time of
Conception
|
||||
Percent (%)
|
SE
|
95% CI
|
Percent (%)
|
SE
|
95% CI
|
|
No High School
|
38.5
|
4.3
|
30.1-46.9
|
38.0
|
4.2
|
29.7-46.3
|
Some High School
|
47.6
|
3.2
|
41.4-53.8
|
28.6
|
2.9
|
22.9-34.3
|
High School/GED
|
48.7
|
2.2
|
44.4-53.1
|
32.7
|
2.1
|
28.5-36.8
|
Some College
|
46.6
|
2.3
|
42.1-51.2
|
32.2
|
2.2
|
28.0-36.5
|
College Grad/+
|
25.6
|
2.1
|
21.5-29.6
|
18.0
|
1.9
|
14.4-21.7
|
Sources: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/data/surveys/Documents/MO-TableA1-LA-PregnancyIntention.xls
Maternal and Infant Health Assessment (MIHA) 2005-2006 sample