Being a mom is all amazing feeling combined and wrapped in the most awesome package,”your baby” and its time to plan your wonderful life with your baby. The first thing that most moms think of post delivery and nearly around their 6 weeks of postpartum rest. Its time to begin your healthy sexual life too, and suddenly you are confused about birth control after baby.
When can I start birth control after having a baby, is the most intriguing question haunting all new moms, and more so as there are ample cases of conception soon after delivery. It’s best to talk to your OB-Gyn at your 6-week postpartum meet, about the options and types of birth control after pregnancy. While your previous plan may also be suitable but there are ample other options for you to pick the right fit.
When can I Start Birth Control After Having a Baby:
You just had a baby and thinking about the further contraception methods is what keeps you worried. Well! don’t worry as we have a list of all the options compiled for you here. The time at which is suitable to begin with a kind of birth control method post delivery depends on which method you are opting and also are you nursing your child or not. Let us know some facts on postpartum birth control:
- Nursing your child does not mean you can’t get pregnant: A very popular myth suggests breastfeeding a child does not equate with contraception. Though still some researches suggest it can be an effective method of birth control for the first few months. Say in cases where a women is breastfeeding every 4 or less hours in a day and every 6 or less hours in a night, and her 90-95 % of feedings for baby are met through nursing. She can somewhat rely upon breastfeeding as a method of contraception
- A new mom can conceive even before her periods resume: There are ample cases where back to back deliveries occurred with even period not having resumed postpartum. Ovulation cycle is difficult to calculate before period resumes so it is better to begin birth control soon after the 6 weeks os postpartum rest.
- An average of 45 days time is considered for non-breast feeding moms to ovulate, but this can be anywhere from25 to 72 days post delivery
- Some forms of birth control may not be effective as soon as they are adopted, they need some cooling period to enter the system and begin their effect so don’t wait till the last moment
- Women who are breastfeeding must not consume estrogen containing birth control and stick with progestin-only pill.
- Hormonal methods of contraception are generally better than barrier methods at this point so act accordingly
- Diaphragm resizing must be done before resuming sexual life post delivery to work on the transformations to women’s vagina during delivery
How Do I Opt for Postpartum Birth Control:
Thinking about postpartum contraception, here are a few guidelines for you:
- Timings for each kind is different: Some birth control methods post delivery can be started soon after childbirth but some others need to wait for some time to adopt
- If you are solely breastfeeding there are a few methods of birth control which can reduce the milk supply so check with your OB-Gyn
- Some methods are not effective after childbirth like the sponge and cervical cap. Though they are great before conception now they may not be half effective
Types of birth control after pregnancy:
There are different types of birth control methods with varying effectiveness and suitability from person to person. Talk to your healthcare provider for more details. These methods include:
1. Barrier methods:
Barrier methods are basically an obstruction within the body which is set up to prevent the sperm from reaching the egg. These are just additional devices or methods which do not interfere with breastfeeding, hormones nor do they have any side effects. These barrier methods include:
- Condoms for men: The most popular form of birth control and is believed to be 98% effective. Condom for men is a thin tube-like sheath which is made of latex or polyurethane that covers the erect penis such that the semen does not get discharged in the vagina. These also prevent STD or sexually transmitted diseases. These can be used as soon as you are ready for resuming your sexual life. There is not a preparation or cooling period.
- Condoms for women: A thin polyurethane pouch inserted in the vagina just before sex, to prevent contraception and also STI’s or sexually transmitted infections
- Diaphragm: It is a shallow dome shaped device which prevents sperm from passing through the cervix, it is partially filled with spermicide and inserted into the vagina before resuming sex. It must be fitted by OB-Gyn
- Cervical cap: Also called a femcap is a silicone cup shaped cap partially filled with spermicide and inserted into your vagina before resuming sex. This fits over the cervix and prevents the sperm from reaching in. You need to wait for 10 weeks to use this and it is only available on prescription
2. Hormonal Methods:
Under hormonal methods, artificial hormones are used to suppress ovulation. They make the uterine line thinner such that the egg can not implant here. They also thicken cervical mucous too. They may be good for contraception but don’t protect against STI’s. A cooling period of 4 weeks is needed post delivery to use this method. Also, nursing mothers must not use this as they have high levels of estrogen. Some hormonal methods are:
- Mini pill: An oral contraceptive which contains a small amount of progestin. These pills are to be consumed everyday beginning with a fixed day post your menstrual cycle. These are good for women who are nursing kids, but do not take them soon after delivery
- The pill: A combination birth pill also known as the pill is an oral contraceptive, containing both estrogen and progesterone. These are just for 21 days, a pill a day.
- Birth control ring: Nuvaring is a flexible ring which can be inserted into your vagina, at the beginning of your cycle. This is good for 28 days and needs replacement on the 29th day. It releases estrogen and progesterone both.
- Birth control patch: Or Ortho Evra is an adhesive bandage on the skin, and it releases a continuous supply of estrogen and progestin. Just apply a patch once a week for 3 weeks in a row and go patchless for the 4th week. Resume the same ahead.
- Birth control shots: These progestin shots are administered every 3 months and are highly effective in birth control. These are not good if you wish to plan the family ahead as post getting off these shots it may take over a year to resume back fertility
- Implant: Under this, a flexible progestin releasing rod is implanted on the upper arm. This is very effective up to 3 years post-implant. Get it 3 weeks post delivery if you are not breastfeeding
3. Intrauterine devices:
IUD is a T shaped device, which is very popular. This can be inserted right after delivery and even safe for lactating moms.
4. Natural Methods of Birth Control:
These are more or less traditional in the sense they don’t really offer high effectiveness. Breastfeeding delays pregnancy in some cases. But needs utmost discipline.
5. Sterilization:
These are more permanent methods of birth control. Both male and female can get it and the chances of being able to conceive after this are minimal. Vasectomy for males and tubal ligation for females can be surgically administered.
6. Emergency contraception:
For the times when your regular method fails there are a few emergency options which can be taken within first 48-72 hours post unprotected sex. Emergency contraceptive pills or Plan Bs commonly available over the counter.
The above compilation on when can I start birth control after having a baby is to help all the new moms decide their contraception option post delivery.
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