Abstract
AIM: To address the gap in existing postpartum care literature by gaining an in-depth understanding of Australian child and family health nurses' experiences of providing postpartum contraceptive care. DESIGN: A qualitative exploratory study design, using semi-structured interviews. METHODS: Convenience and snowballing sampling methods were employed to recruit child and family health nurses currently practising in Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 nurses in July 2023, and data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis as outlined by Braun and Clarke. The consolidated criteria for Reporting Qualitative research checklist were used to support the research process. RESULTS: Despite their frequent contact with postpartum women and acknowledging the importance of postpartum contraceptive care, most participants did not commonly discuss contraception or family planning with mothers and did not feel it was part of their role to do so. Participants cited role ambiguity, limited knowledge of postpartum contraception, lack of clinical practice guidance, time constraints, and competing priorities as contributing to inconsistencies in postpartum contraceptive care provision. CONCLUSION: This study highlights critical gaps in the provision of postpartum contraceptive care by child and family health nurses in Australia and underscores the need for systemic changes to promote postpartum contraceptive care as a key component of routine maternal health services. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND PATIENT CARE: This study provides actionable evidence for improving the delivery of postpartum contraceptive care, ensuring women are provided with accurate information about their options, and supporting contraceptive uptake to reduce the incidence of short interpregnancy intervals. IMPACT: Our findings provide practical guidance relevant for healthcare policy and practice, emphasising the need to enhance child and family health nurses training in reproductive health, develop clear clinical practice guidelines, and address systemic barriers such as time constraints to improve the provision of postpartum contraceptive care and support women's reproductive health needs. REPORTING METHOD: Standards for reporting qualitative research (SRQR). PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.