Literature Review and Statement of Purpose: Unintended pregnancy and non-optimal interpregnancy intervals can lead to a host of maternal and infant morbidities and mortality. The purpose of this study is to inform future intervention efforts aimed at increasing planned pregnancies and optimal interpregnancy intervals for a demographic of women at high risk for experiencing unplanned pregnancies and non-optimal interpregnancy intervals: Black and Latina women who have not graduated from high school.

Methods: Study assessments included repeated measures collected prenatally during the participant’s last trimester of pregnancy continuing thereafter at the target child’s age of 4, 10, and 24 months. A comprehensive 2-hour assessment of mother and child characteristics and functioning was conducted. As part of this assessment, a structured interview was used to collect demographic information at the prenatal and 24-month assessments, and family planning information was collected that pertained to pregnancy intentions, birth control practices, and interpregnancy intervals at the prenatal, 4-, 10-, and 24-month assessments.

Data Analysis and Results: There were no significant differences in interpregnancy interval by race. There were significantly greater odds of becoming pregnant before 24 months postpartum (i.e., a non-optimal birth interval outcome) for women who reported stable non-optimal birth control practices across time when compared to women who reported stable optimal birth control practices.

Discussion, Conclusions, and Recommendations: There is a need to focus on a more comprehensive view of pregnancy intention and birth control practice that does not rely solely on self-reported data and understand barriers that prevent the use of effective birth control methods for creation of tailored fitted interventions.