An unintended pregnancy is a pregnancy that -- from the perspective of the woman -- is either unwanted or mis-timed (occurring earlier than desired) at the time of conception. Studies show that infants and children born from an unintended pregnancy have increased risk for being born with low birth weight, being the victim of child abuse and neglect, and/or dying within the first year of life. Women who give birth from an unintended pregnancy are more likely to experience divorce or separation from their partner, maternal depression, and domestic violence. An unplanned pregnancy may also create significant economic hardship for the woman and her family.

Unintended pregnancy is a complex issue that is affected by many factors including: knowledge about contraceptive methods and reproductive health, access to and use of effective contraceptive methods, attitudes about sexuality and fertility, and cultural norms regarding pregnancy planning.

"This is an important issues that affects a broad range of women and families in our community," says Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director, Seattle-King County Department of Public Health. "Family planning services should be a normal part of health service availability to those women and families who want them. In addition to promoting awareness of family planning services, we must work with health insurance plans to ensure that contraceptive methods are covered in the same manner as other medical prescriptions and devices."

"Given that nearly two-thirds of women who experience an unintended pregnancy in King County were not using contraception at the time they got pregnant, increasing the use of effective contraceptive methods is a critical prevention strategy," added Christie Spice, Public Health Epidemiologist and lead author of the report.

Key Facts from Public Health Data Watch: Unintended Pregnancy and Birth, King County, 1993-1996

• From 1993 to 1996, there were approximately 17,600 unintended pregnancies in King County annually.
• Among live births in King County during this period, 35% were the result of unintended pregnancies.
• The rate of unintended births in King County was lower than the rate in Washington State outside the county (41%), but above the most recent national estimate (31%).
• The rate of unintended birth was highest among women younger than 20 years of age, but the majority of unintended births (55%) occurred to women age 20 to 29.
• Unintended births occur in all racial and ethnic groups in King County and over two-thirds (69%) are to white women.
• Women with incomes below the federal poverty level have the highest rate of unintended birth, but most (68%) unintended births are to women with incomes above the federal poverty level.
• The majority of women (63%) who experienced an unintended birth were not using any form of contraception at the time they became pregnant.

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