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Birth Control
Options After Childbirth
Choosing a contraceptive may not be
first and foremost on your mind immediately after having a baby. But you can become
fertile again within weeks of your baby's birth, especially if you are not breastfeeding.
And having an unintended pregnancy at this time could be very stressful. Therefore, it is
a good idea to start thinking about birth control even before you may be ready to resume
intercourse.
The decision is multi-faceted. You may
be concerned that your previous method is incompatible with breast-feeding, or that you
need something more in tune with your busy schedule as a new mom. Discuss the matter with
your spouse, your health care provider, and keep the following information in mind.
If your family is complete, you may
want to consider getting a tubal ligation. This is not the same as a hysterectomy. It is a
minor surgical procedure where the doctor cuts and ties off the fallopian tubes so
conception cannot take place. Otherwise, all of the reproductive organs remain intact and
you will still menstruate. This procedure can be done immediately postpartum and will not
affect breastfeeding.
Alternatively, dad can opt for a
vasectomy, which will make him infertile but won't affect his ability to have an erection
or ejaculate. It is a much simpler surgical procedure than a tubal ligation, carries less
risk and is usually performed under a local anesthetic. If permanent birth control is not
an option at this time and you are not breast-feeding, contraceptive choices are limited
only by personal preference and health history.
Norplant, a type of hormonal agent, can
also be inserted under the skin of the arm in the immediate postpartum period. The
breast-feeding mom has nearly as many options available as the new mother who chooses to
bottle-feed her baby. While it is controversial, breast-feeding in and by itself can be an
effective method as it does suppress fertility. However, a woman must be completely
committed to breast-feeding if she wants to be totally dependent on this method. If a mom
only breast-feeds, it can be a reliable method of birth control.
For breast-feeding to be effective, a
baby must be younger than six months and a woman must be without a menstrual period. If
she sees any blood past her 56th postpartum day, she must assume that she is getting a
period and that fertility may be returning. The baby must be exclusively breast-fed and
must nurse often - at least every four hours in the daytime and every six hours at night.
Once a baby starts sleeping through the night, the lack of stimulation can cause fertility
to return. If a new mom meets all of the above criteria, then breast-feeding may be 98 per
cent effective in preventing conception, which puts it on par with the birth control pill.
Breast feeding moms can safely use
barrier methods such as the diaphragm and condom. Progestin-only hormonal methods, such as
Depo-Provera, Norplant and the mini-pill, are also generally considered safe and have not
been known to cause any adverse effect on milk supply. But regular combination hormones,
such as standard birth control pills, are controversial. All in all, the best method is one that both a woman and her partner agree on and
will adhere to, and which will fit most appropriately into their lifestyle. |
