Contraceptives for Breastfeeding Mothers

How should a nursing mother prevent pregnancy after childbirth?

A few weeks after childbirth, the mucous membranes of the uterus recover. The first postpartum ovulation can occur without menstruation. A woman can become pregnant again. What methods of contraception are effective while breastfeeding after childbirth? Postpartum contraception is quite a relevant and important topic for new mothers.

Postpartum contraception options:

• Lactational amenorrhea.
• Intrauterine devices.
• Spermicides.
• Barrier contraception.
• Low hormone medications.

Lactational amenorrhea as postpartum contraception

This method is based on the assumption that a woman’s body produces the hormone prolactin, which blocks egg maturation. With this method of contraception, you need to feed the baby no less frequently than every 3-4 hours regardless of the time of day.

This method is considered relevant in the first few months after childbirth. By 5 months, the baby eats every 5 hours. This makes the use of the lactational amenorrhea method impossible.

With this method of contraception, there is a chance of becoming pregnant. Prolactin may not block ovulation.

Intrauterine Devices

During breastfeeding, a non-hormonal intrauterine device is used. The method is 85-95% effective. There may be contraindications.

Intrauterine device with hormones (progesterone). Doctors recommend waiting a couple of months after natural childbirth before installation, and six months after a cesarean section. There is a myth that hormones will enter the milk of a nursing woman and affect the baby. Doctors refute this assumption. There may also be contraindications.

In both cases, specialist consultation is required.

Spermicides

These include suppositories, tablets, gels, and creams. The main active ingredient is benzalkonium chloride. It is responsible for neutralizing sperm. With this method of contraception, it is necessary to strictly follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Application nuances:

• Only clean water should be used for washing, without soap, gel, lotion, or others.
• Insert the suppository, gel, tablet, or cream strictly within the time before contact specified by the manufacturer (usually 5-10 minutes).
• One tablet (suppository) is designed for one contact.

Barrier Contraception

Barrier methods of contraception include female condoms, diaphragms, and cervical caps. The diaphragm is worn for several weeks. Condoms are selected during a consultation. They cannot be used if there is a latex allergy. A cap can be inserted just before contact.

If a woman used caps before pregnancy, she should consult a doctor to select the correct size. After childbirth, the size of the uterus changes.

Hormonal Medications

There are several types of these medications: pills, implants, and injections.

Birth Control After Childbirth and Breastfeeding

Postpartum birth control pills for breastfeeding can be used. It’s important to pay attention to the composition, which should not include estrogen. The ‘right’ pills contain progestogen, which does not pass into the breast milk. The downside of these pills is the strict timing for taking them. Consult your doctor before use.

Injections and Implants

Implants (capsule or plate) are inserted under the skin and last about 5 years. They do not contain estrogen. A small amount of medication is released into the bloodstream every day. Injections last up to 3 months. The shot triggers a reaction in the body similar to menopause (no menstruation and ovulation). It’s better to avoid this method if you plan to have more children.

Other Methods

• Coitus interruptus. Not always effective (partner may not react in time).
• Abstinence. It affects the psychological climate of the family.
• Sterilization of one partner – tubal ligation or vasectomy. There are no guarantees that the couple or partner will not want children again.

To select contraceptive methods, you should consult a doctor.

The website momslab.com is useful for women after childbirth. It contains informational articles, a recovery program, and a free chat on Telegram.