In the middle of all this excitement, birth control may be the farthest thing on your mind. However, unless you’re ready to add another new sibling to the family, it’s important that you don’t overlook your postpartum birth control needs.
Can You Get Pregnant While Breastfeeding?
Though breastfeeding can be considered a birth control method, there are specific conditions that must be met in order for it to be effective. Many women believe that they will not be fertile again until they get their first period after giving birth. However, your period is not always an accurate indicator of fertility. Ovulation occurs before you get your period. If you have unprotected sex around the time that you ovulate, you can become pregnant. If you are breastfeeding and want additional birth control, you’ll have several contraceptive options to choose from. Once you’ve become familiar with your options, talk to your doctor to help decide which one is best for you. Here’s a list of birth control methods that are considered safe to use while breastfeeding. The progestin may enter your milk supply, but it will not harm your baby or cause a drop in milk production. Progestin-only birth control methods tend to be more effective than non-hormonal alternatives. The pills come in a 28-day pack and every pill in each 4-week pack contains progestin (there are no placebo pills). The thin, plastic implant is inserted under the skin of your arm where it continually releases a low dose of progestin over three years to provide pregnancy protection. With this method, you are protected from pregnancy as long as you are receiving the shots. It is important that you get your scheduled Depo-Provera injections on time to prevent their effectiveness from being compromised. IUDs must be inserted and removed by your doctor. The two that are available are highly effective at preventing pregnancy.
MirenaSkyla
While some condoms are pre-lubricated, breastfeeding moms sometimes have low estrogen levels, which can cause vaginal dryness. If you find that condom use is irritating your vagina, you may want to add more lubrication (like Astroglide or Wet Naturals). This method can take a little practice when you’re learning how to properly insert the condom. It may take time for you to feel comfortable and confident using one. These products usually contain nonoxynol-9, a spermicide that immobilizes and/or destroys sperm. Having a good understanding of your anatomy, along with some practice, will make it easier for you to learn how to insert the sponge. These devices are inserted into the vagina to block the cervix. Both are most effective when used with spermicidal cream. The device blocks sperm while the cream immobilizes sperm. ParaGard provides 10 years of pregnancy protection but can be removed at any time should you want to become pregnant. Continuous breastfeeding is effective because the hormone that triggers milk production also prevents the release of the hormone that signals ovulation. However, you should not rely on this method for longer than six months or if you have had a period since giving birth. Instead, you may want to wait to rely on NFP options until you begin to notice fertility signs (such as cervical mucus), you have had at least three postpartum periods, and you have begun to substitute breast milk with other foods. Some women feel “hormonal” while breastfeeding. You may also be experiencing postpartum depression. In either case, it may be best to postpone the decision to seek permanent birth control until you are in an emotional place where you feel confident about making a choice. Another permanent option is called Essure. It’s a non-surgical alternative to tubal ligation that doesn’t require anesthesia. Both traditional surgical tubal ligation and Essure work by sealing off or blocking the fallopian tubes. This prevents eggs from traveling to the uterus and sperm cannot enter the fallopian tubes to reach an egg. Men can choose between traditional vasectomies where a small incision is made in the upper part of the man’s scrotum or the no-scalpel vasectomy where the surgeon punctures the skin (no incisions are made).
