Postabortion family planning (PAFP) is one of several high impact practices in family planning (HIPs) identified by a technical advisory group of international experts.

Postabortion care (PAC), which includes treatment for complications from miscarriage or induced abortion, is an opportune time to counsel and offer clients voluntary contraception. All PAC models include two essential services: (1) treatment of emergency complications, and (2) voluntary family planning counseling, including provision of contraception. Research studies and data from program implementation consistently show that when clients are counseled and offered contraception as part of postabortion care most women will opt to leave the facility with an effective family planning method.

This updated HIP brief looks at PAFP challenges, impact evidence, and provides tips from implementation experience.