India with a population of 1.3 billion people and nearly18% of the world’s population is the second most populous country in the world. Contraceptive usage during postpartum period, being critical for maternal and child health; the study was undertaken to estimate prevalence of contraceptive usage among postpartum women and to assess reasons for non-usage. A cross-sectional study was undertaken in the urban field-practice area of Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, from November 2016-March 2017; using a pre-structured questionnaire with socio-demographic variables, obstetric history, details of mother and baby, family planning awareness and practices. From a list of postpartum women registered in the postnatal clinic, those satisfying inclusion criteria and giving consent were taken, by simple random sampling, till the desired sample-size of 240 was reached. Data was analysed using EpiInfo 7. 72.1% were in the age group of 19-25years; 79% were Hindus. 20.4% participants were using some form of contraception, 65.3% of whose husbands were using male condoms and 22.5% were using IUCDs. The main reason for not using postpartum contraception was lack of knowledge and access. 87.1% of the women had heard about some or the other methods. 12.9% answered correctly about temporary methods of contraception. 48.3% had heard about contraceptive methods from their husbands. Only 6.3% women knew about safe period, and 2.1 % had correct knowledge about advantages of spacing methods. Overall usage of postpartum contraception was low. The study concludes that family planning methods and contraceptive practices needs more awareness among the study population.
