Unplanned Pregnancy

In this section, learn more about:

• The incidence, consequences and costs of unplanned pregnancies
• Comprehensive recommended actions to take to address this complex issue

Why is this Important?

Nothing is more important to the well-being of our society than bringing healthy children into the world, supported by adults, ready to learn and with the opportunity to succeed. However, research at the national and state levels indicates that nearly 50 percent of all pregnancies are unplanned – meaning that women would have preferred to become pregnant either later or not at all. Women with unplanned pregnancies are more likely to begin care later in the pregnancy, use alcohol or tobacco, have an abortion, less likely to breastfeed or enroll in WIC and have infants at increased risk for reduced cognitive, behavioral or emotional development.

IPN Resources

• Best Intentions: Unplanned Pregnancies and the Well-Being of Indiana Families - Nationally recognized Call to Action document
• Teen Pregnancy and Unplanned Pregnancy in Young Adults: Why It All Matters, Sarah S. Brown, CEO, National Campaign to Prevent Teen & Unplanned Pregnancies
• IPN Unplanned Pregnancy Summit presentations, September 2007

Role of IPN

• Conducted cutting edge quantitative and qualitative research
• Developed a comprehensive and nationally recognized call to action document
• Advocating for policy changes within the state Medicaid program

For more information, contact Caitlin Priest at 317.924.0825 x4231 or cpriest@indianaperinatal.org, or Larry Humbert at 317.924.0825 x4224 or lhumbert@indianaperinatal.org.

Other Helpful Links

• National Campaign to Prevent Teen & Unplanned Pregnancies
• Alan Guttmacher Institute
• Indiana Family Health Council
• Planned Parenthood
• CDC Medical Criteria for Contraceptive Use
• Health Care Education and Training, Inc. (HCET)- provide quality comprehensive education, training, and program development to enhance reproductive and women's health care.
• www.bedsider.org - A birth control support web portal developed by The National Campaign To Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancies. Bedsider provides information about birth control options, locations of clinics, and a birth control chooser tool. 

Click here to see what we are telling Mothers and Families.

External websites posted for informational purposes only. IPN does not endorse or assume responsibility for their content.