Lived experiences of contraceptive use prior to unexpected pregnancy

Narrative insights from the Netherlands

Bibliographic Data

ID19491793
AuthorsWieke Y Beumer (0000-0001-5239-5719, GGD Amsterdam), Annemarie Y A M Reilingh (0000-0002-0005-8662, GGD Amsterdam, corresponding author), Annabelle van Zon, Lindy Beukema (0000-0002-4022-694X, University Medical Center Groningen), Jens Henrichs (0000-0003-2238-4060, University Medical Center Groningen), Jenneke Van Ditzhuijzen (0000-0003-0560-4949, Utrecht University)
Year2026
Volume9
Pages100749
Publication date2026-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSSM - Qualitative Research in Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2667-3215 • E-ISSN: 2667-3215
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.ssmqr.2026.100749
OpenAlexW7138855091
LanguageEN
References cited27

Unexpected pregnancies occur everywhere, also in contexts where contraceptive care is accessible. Research has found that contraceptive behavior extends beyond rational decision-making and is shaped by a range of personal, relational, and social factors. So far, little is known about peoples lived experiences with contraception prior to an unexpected pregnancy, particularly among adults and men in settings with accessible contraceptive care. This study therefore explores the lived experiences of adult womxn and mxn who recently experienced an unexpected pregnancy, focusing on their contraceptive behaviors before conception in the Netherlands. We analyzed 55 narrative interviews and integrated these findings with open-ended survey responses from the Dutch BluePrInt study (n = 364) to capture the complexity of people’s experiences. Participants reported inconsistent contraceptive use in the period preceding the unexpected pregnancy. Four key themes emerged: negative experiences with contraception, perspectives on fertility, confidence in contraception, and communication between partners. In addition, participants’ language use pointed to the presence of underlying narrative patterns concerning shame, imbalanced gendered responsibility, sexual pleasure, and decisional inertia. Results underscore the need for personalized contraceptive counseling and follow-up that centers lived experiences, embraces shared decision-making, and adapts to life course changes. • Inconsistent contraceptive use often preceded unexpected pregnancies (UP) • Negative experiences shaped inconsistent or absent contraceptive use prior UP • Pregnancy risks of contraception and fertility in general were often underestimated • Lack of partner communication contributed to failed/inconsistent contraceptive use • Shame, gender norms, sexual pleasure and decision inertia were underlying patterns

Family planning · Fertility · Life course approach · Lived experience · Narrative · Narrative inquiry · Population · Reproductive health · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Reproductive Health and Contraception · Reproductive Health and Technologies