Birth Control After Pregnancy
Your doctor recommends at least 6 months between pregnancies to allow you to recuperate, lose weight and breast feed for a few months. If your pregnancy was complicated by high blood pressure, diabetes or premature labor, you should wait a year between pregnancies. If you delivered your baby by cesarean section, we also recommend a 12 month period until your next pregnancy.
The birth control method you use after delivery will depend upon a number of factors:
- If you are breastfeeding
- If you are looking forward to another pregnancy in the next 12-18 months
- If you are finished growing your family
- Your general health
Breastfeeding mothers should avoid using birth control products that contain estrogen such as a regular birth control pill.
Hormonal birth control products that contain only progesterone are safe and effective for breastfeeding mothers. These products are:
- Progesterone-only birth control pills
- Depo-provera
- Implanon
- Mirena
Most women can start a hormonal birth control product 4-6 weeks after delivery.
Non-hormonal birth control products include:
- Condoms
- Diaphragm
- Copper IUD
Bottle feeding mothers can use regular birth control pills if their blood pressure is normal and they do not smoke.
Permanent birth control methods include:
- Tubal ligation
- Essure
- Vasectomy
Our goal is to discuss your birth control plan prior to delivery. Ask your provider any questions that you may have.
