Postpartum Birth Control
After having a baby, many women begin or resume birth control. The birth control method and when to begin can be discussed with your doctor before even giving birth.
Women typically starts ovulating two weeks before her period, therefore, a pregnancy can occur before a woman’s period returns after giving birth. Most non-breastfeeding women ovulate for the first time, on average, 45 days after giving birth.
Some forms of birth control take several weeks to be effective, so it’s important to use a backup method, such as a condom, when having sex until the birth control takes effect.
Breastfeeding can reduce your chances of getting pregnant, but it is not a true form of birth control and pregnancy can still occur while breastfeeding.
Learn more about breastfeeding and birth control
If your family is complete and you do not want to have any more children, you might consider a tubal ligation, also known as getting your tubes tied. This procedure can be performed soon after giving birth, often during the same hospital visit. Tubal ligation can also be preformed at a later time if you are uncertain about the decision.
Safety
If you are breastfeeding, discuss your birth control options with your doctor. It is generally recommended that breast-feeding mothers stick with a progestin-only pill when using hormonal methods.
If you use a diaphragm for birth control, you should be refitted after giving birth. Childbirth can affect the size and shape of a woman’s vagina.