Table 2.

Sample data analysis trajectory

Participant	Interview excerpt	Codes assigned	Key themes
Nian, 36	Perhaps if I didn’t have C-section births … I’d actually like to have a lot of children, maybe three of four … But because of my health, I think 2 is enough for now and I have to finish my studies too.	• Health limits to family size • Achieved preferred family size • Seeks to prevent future pregnancy • Balancing reproduction & production (study)	Family size Spacing pregnancies and fertility control
Fina, 31	I want 2 children and my husband agrees; we don’t want any more. The family is complete; we have a boy and a girl. Maybe if our second wasn’t a girl we would have tried again.	• Spousal agreement re number of children • Achieved preferred family size • Seeks to prevent future pregnancy • Desire for child of each sex	Family size Spacing pregnancies and fertility control
Gita, 36	If you ask me personally I already have enough … I give my breastmilk to 8 children; 3 of whom are my biological children. I would be worried I wouldn’t have the capacity to love and care for more kids than my 3 …. But of course it is ultimately up to God … and how many he gives us.	• Achieved preferred family size • Seeks to prevent future pregnancy • Religious fatalism • Demands of parenting	Family size Spacing pregnancies and fertility control
Ina, 36	My doctor recommended a sterilisation ... I asked my husband, mother and sister for advice … my sister suggested I try an IUD instead, she said that a sterilisation might decrease my hormone levels … I eventually decided to go with the IUD … it was inserted immediately after my C-section … we sometimes use condoms too, for extra safety.	• Family planning (KB)a advice – KB provider • KB advice – family or friends • Concerns re KB side effects • Postpartum contraception use • Seeks to prevent future pregnancy	Spacing pregnancies and fertility control Accessing postpartum family planning
Dina, 29	I think a 4 or 5 year gap between pregnancies is ideal … my husband and I are of the view that it will be easier once our daughter is older. She’ll be able to settle by herself, be more independent… Hopefully she’ll be able to help with the baby too… it’s also about finances, when they’re older and start junior high school, senior high school…	• Desired space between pregnancies > 2 years • Seeks to delay future pregnancy • Demands of parenting • Financial cost of children	Spacing pregnancies and fertility control
Indah, 27	I didn’t use KB before my first pregnancy because it is not permitted.	• KB use constrained • Perception KB for couples with children	Family planning following marriage

^aWe have abbreviated the term ‘family planning’ to ‘KB’ as this is the term most commonly used in Indonesia