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Unintended pregnancy, defined as mistimed or unplanned pregnancy, is associated with significant personal and societal costs. The U.S. Healthy People objectives for 2000, 2010, and 2020 all address the goal of reducing unintended pregnancy, but despite advances in contraceptive methods, little progress has been made toward achieving this goal and estimated rates of unintended and unwanted pregnancy in the United States range from 45%-51%.
Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) promotion and prevention services delivered across the lifespan within a comprehensive public health framework can provide people with the knowledge and tools to exercise intention over the incidence of pregnancy.
Nurses—both registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs)—have a long tradition of participating in SRH care and reproductive rights, including preconception care, management of planned and unintended pregnancies, and promotion of sexual health. In the provider-patient relationship that is established when a woman seeks care related to an unintended pregnancy, nurses provide essential services that have the potential to influence health in profound and meaningful ways.
As active contributors to the development of practice-based models and strategic initiatives focused on SRH and unintended pregnancy prevention, nurse scholar-practitioners have published (1) emerging scientific findings about unintended pregnancy in the United States; (2) information about the historical role of nurses in promoting and protecting SRH in the United States and the United Kingdom; (3) a public health model for primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of unintended pregnancy; and (4) strategies for aligning practice and education for all health professionals providing care for populations at risk for unintended pregnancy.