Birth Control
FERTILITY AND BIRTH CONTROL AFTER CHILDBIRTH:
Your menstrual cycle and your ability to become pregnant again will return at your own body’s pace. Remember that you can ovulate and get pregnant even though you are not menstruating, as early as 3 weeks after childbirth. It is recommended not to get pregnant for 12-18 months after childbirth and hence important to use a more reliable birth control method. We will talk to you about options of birth control methods that are safe for breastfeeding and more reliable than condoms or natural methods at your postpartum visit.
Below is a table to help explain some of the methods. This is not an exhaustive list nor does it include all the pros and cons of each method.
Talk with your doctor before starting any method or starting sexual activity to find the method that is best for you.
Contraceptive Methods | Safe for Breastfeeding? | Safe right after births? | Safe 4-6 weeks after birth? | % Effective Perfect Use | % Effective Typical Use |
Combined Pill | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ | >99% | ~91% |
Progestin only Pill | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | >99% | ~91% |
Patch | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ | >99% | ~91% |
Ring | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ | >99% | ~91% |
Barrier Methods | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ~82% | ~72% |
Paragard IUD | ✔ | Within 48 hrs or after 4 weeks | ✔ | >99% | ~99% |
Mirena IUD | ✔ | Within 48 hrs or after 4 weeks | ✔ | >99% | ~99% |
Skyla IUD | ✔ | Within 48 hrs or after 4 weeks | ✔ | >99% | ~99% |
Kyleena IUD | ✔ | Within 48 hrs or after 4 weeks | ✔ | >99% | ~99% |
Nexplanon | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | >99% | ~99% |
Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | 98% up to 6 months | <75% |
Sterilization | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | >99% | ~99% |
Depo-Provera Shot | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | >99% | ~94% |
For more information about birth control postpartum, our own Dr. Teng wrote a wonderful article you can find on our website. Click the link below:
To learn more about any one method of birth control click the link below:
https://elcaminowomen.com/patient-education/women-s-health/contraception.html