What birth control should i use while breastfeeding

Many couples do not wait 6 weeks to re-establish sexual relations, and women are still able to become pregnant even when breast-feeding.

Contrary to popular belief, it is perfectly safe to take birth control pills while breast-feeding. In fact, there are many different options, depending on personal preferences, medical history, and cost. For some women, LAM can be a very effective family planning method as long as certain conditions are met:.

If the mother and baby meet all of these conditions, then the chance of pregnancy is very low, less than 2 percent according to World Alliance for Breastfeeding.

If any of the factors listed above change, the woman should consider using additional birth control to prevent pregnancy. These range from readily available and relatively inexpensive options, such as condoms, to devices requiring a prescription and surgical options. Some of these options include:. Physical barriers to conception, such as condoms, diaphragms, or the cervical cap, are still an effective method of contraception.

Doctors usually advise women to wait until their first postpartum check before inserting anything into their vagina. This is because there is a higher risk of infection until the cervix has closed and any tears have healed. Also, many women find that they need to be resized for a new diaphragm or cervical cap, due to the cervical and vaginal changes that occurred during pregnancy, delivery, and recovery. There are two different types of IUDs: copper and hormonal.

Copper IUDs are a highly effective form of birth control that do not have any effect on the milk supply. The IUD is a small coil that is, in this case, wrapped in a small amount of copper. It prevents implantation, sperm movement, and fertilization. A doctor needs to insert an IUD, which is effective in preventing pregnancy for up to 10 years. If a woman decides that she wants to get pregnant again, the IUD can be easily removed. Both require a prescription. IUDs are plastic, T-shaped devices inserted into the uterus to prevent fertilization.

One hormonal version of an IUD is Mirena, which contains progestin. It provides seven years of protection. It works locally, releasing a tiny amount of hormones directly into the uterus. It doesn't affect the quality or quantity of breast milk. There is only one nonhormonal IUD available, and that is Paragard. It is made of copper and does not affect the quality or quantity of breast milk.

It is safe and effective for 10 years. Your risk of infection is slightly greater with an IUD. The minipill is a progestin-only option for birth control.

It's highly effective, but must be taken daily, and at the same time, for it to work. It has a slightly higher failure rate for contraception compared with the regular pill, but because people who are breastfeeding aren't as fertile, it is usually not an issue. There are two types of birth control pills: combination and progestin-only pills. Combination pills are daily pills that contain both estrogen and progestin, and they are the most common type of birth control pills.

However, they are not generally recommended postpartum because they contain estrogen, which can lower milk supply. Nexplanon is an arm implant that is a form of birth control that contains progesterone only. It is convenient because, once inserted, you do not have to do anything else to prevent pregnancy.

It is good for three years. You may be able to get an implant or IUD in the hospital or at your postpartum checkup. The Depo-Provera injection prevents ovulation , and a new shot is needed every three months in either the arm or the buttocks. You can get your first shot immediately after childbirth. Besides certain types of IUD, other nonhormonal birth control methods include:.

It's important to note that these options are much less effective than hormonal birth control. If you used a diaphragm or cervical cap in the past, wait until your first postpartum checkup to begin using that method again. You may also need a new size. There are a number of effective birth control options for people who are breastfeeding, including both hormonal and nonhormonal choices.

IUDs and arm implants are the most effective forms of birth control, and progestin-only hormonal options are preferred, especially in the beginning. When you begin birth control depends on the method chosen. In general, you will want to start using birth control a few weeks after giving birth. Timing matters when it comes to inserting an IUD since the chance of the implant being expelled is dependent on how soon after birth it is inserted.

You can have an implant inserted immediately after a vaginal birth or a cesarean section, and you can get birth control injections immediately after giving birth as well. Combination birth control pills should be introduced later on, when milk supply is well established, at around four to six weeks. The cervical cap, diaphragm, and sponge can typically be used starting at six weeks postpartum.

You have a choice of methods, some of which contain hormones and some that do not. You can choose the one that best meets your needs.

The progestin-only birth control methods contain the hormone progestin progesterone. If you decide to use a hormonal type of contraception, the progestin-only options are preferred. Whether you choose the mini-pill , injectables, implants, or an IUD, progestin-only birth control is very effective at preventing pregnancy. These methods may also increase your breast milk volume. Since there are hormones in these methods, a little bit of these hormones will pass into your breast milk.

However, studies have shown that these small amounts do not appear to be harmful to breastfeeding babies. The combination pill contains both estrogen and progestin. Combination pills work extremely well as birth control, but the estrogen in them can cause a decrease in your supply of breast milk.

As with progestin-only methods, the hormones in combination birth control can pass into your breast milk. While the small amount of hormones that pass through will not be harmful to your baby, the drop in your breast milk supply that may be associated with it could interrupt your breastfeeding routine.

Side effects include abdominal pain to headaches to weight gain. Some women also experience bone density loss while using this method of birth control. The natural family planning NFP method is also called the fertility awareness method. It is hormone-free, but it requires some attention to detail. For many women, this length is between 26 and 32 days. You may also want to take your basal body temperature each morning using a special thermometer. This can help you look for spikes or dips in temperature, which help indicate ovulation.

However, it can be difficult to predict when your fertility returns after birth. The first few menstrual cycles you experience may be irregular and different from what you are used to.

If this is your method of choice, you must decide to become educated and diligent about monitoring mucous, the calendar, symptoms, and temperatures. This is not a good choice for women who have always had irregular periods. Also, your cycle may be somewhat unpredictable while breastfeeding. For this reason, you may want to consider using a backup method, like condoms, a cervical cap, or a diaphragm. Learn more about NFP ». Some women choose to have this procedure completed after vaginal childbirth or during a cesarean section.

The risks with this procedure are the same as for any other major abdominal surgery, including reaction to anesthesia, infection, and pelvic or abdominal pain. Your doctor or a lactation consultant is your best resource for determining when you can safely return to nursing after surgery and taking medications, like painkillers. Nonsurgical sterilization is also possible, although it may take up to three months to be effective. Tubal ligation is effective immediately.

Although reversing tubal ligation may be possible, the odds are very low. Learn more about female sterilization ». This pill should only be used as a last resort and not as a regular form of birth control. It is available OTC or at a reduced cost by prescription. There are two types of the morning-after pill: one that contains a combination of estrogen and progestin and another that is progestin-only.

The combination pill is about 75 percent effective. You may experience a temporary dip, but it should return to normal. Learn more about emergency contraception ». Breastfeeding alone only slightly reduces the chance of pregnancy for the first six months and only if feeding exclusively at least every four to six hours. There are many options for birth control that you can discuss with your doctor. Choosing which one is right for you is a personal decision. Generally, breastfeeding mothers should avoid birth control that contains estrogen, as it may impact your milk supply.

If you have more questions about your fertility while breastfeeding and safe birth control methods, consider making an appointment with your doctor or a lactation consultant. Maintaining breastfeeding is important and you want to make a birth control choice that does not interfere.