Contraception Post-Partum

One of the major cause of concern for new parents is often cited to be post-partum contraception. The fact that the new parents have a bundle of new responsibilities to cater to, it prompts them to realize to importance of postponement or prevention of the next birth.

The choice of a post-partum contraceptive method depends on many factors, including the need for a temporary versus a permanent method.

• Breast-Feeding:

Breast-feeding is often believed to be a natural contraceptive post-partum. A nursing mother’s monthly period and the release of eggs from the ovary are suppressed right after giving birth. In medical terms, this is known as lactation amenorrhea. The timing of the return of monthly cycles varies from one woman to another, and is linked to the hormonal state resulting from breast-feeding. The hormone that the body makes to stimulate milk production, called prolactin, also acts to prevent the release of eggs.

For some women, breast-feeding as little as once a day could continue to suppress menstruation, while for others, any decrease in the frequency of breast-feeding over the 24 hour period could result in fertility. So, although the risk of pregnancy could be less for a woman experiencing lactation amenorrhea, pregnancy can occur during this time.

• Barrier Methods:

This includes diaphragms, spermicidal pessaries and condoms. These methods have the advantage of having no side effects on either on the mother or the child.

They are inexpensive and highly effective when used as directed. If you have used a diaphragm prior to pregnancy, it will need to be refitted after the birth of baby.

• Intrauterine Devices:

IUD’s have no effect on breast-feeding or on the child’s health. If you deliver normally, it will be inserted at your six-week check-up, while in case, you gave birth through cesarean section, you have to wait for about six months after the delivery to opt for an IUD.

• Oral contraceptives:

If you prefer to use oral contraceptives, progesterone-only birth control pills may be safely used while breast-feeding. Small amounts of the hormone may pass into the milk, but it has no detrimental effect on the baby’s development.

So weigh the pros and cons and settle on a form of birth control that suits your personal preferences.