A postpartum client on warfarin therapy should be instructed about contraception. Which statement is correct?

• A. You will need to use a reliable form of contraception while on warfarin therapy.
• B. Contraception is not necessary while on warfarin therapy.
• C. Any method of contraception is safe with warfarin.
• D. You can become pregnant without restrictions while taking warfarin.

Answer: (A)

Warfarin is highly teratogenic, especially if pregnancy occurs while the fetus is developing. Because of this risk, a postpartum client who is on warfarin should use a reliable form of contraception to prevent pregnancy during the anticoagulation period. If pregnancy does occur, management becomes complex due to fetal exposure to warfarin, so avoiding it with effective contraception is essential. In practice, safer contraception options while on anticoagulation include progestin-only methods or nonhormonal options like IUDs; estrogen-containing contraception is generally avoided or used with caution due to increased clotting risk.