Teenage Maori mothers are struggling to get access to contraception because of barriers in the health system, a study has found.
Teenage Maori mothers are struggling to get access to contraception (file photo) Photo: 123rf
Researchers from Otago University interviewed Maori women aged 14 to 19 who were trying to get post-pregnancy contraception.
Lead author Dr Bev Lawton said many of the women actively sought out implanted contraception, but could not get it.
"These women had a plan, they were actively seeking contraception, they knew what they wanted, but there were system barriers," she said.
Dr Bev Lawton. Photo: Supplied.
The women faced long delays, financial constraints and a lack of information from their midwives about who to talk to, and some fell pregnant again as a result, Dr Lawton said.
"The plan was in place, but by six weeks, the majority of these young women were not contracepting after pregnancy.
"The system issues were: costs to get these inserted, transport, finance and the fact that they weren't navigated to the right person to do it."
Having a six-week consultation with a GP post-pregnancy would be a good first step, Dr Lawton said.