After giving birth, mothers rarely think about birth control. But it is very important to be aware of birth control after delivery.
After giving birth to one child, it is necessary to wait some time to conceive again. Experts recommend a gap of at least 18 to 24 months between two children.
Postpartum Birth Control, Postpartum Birth Control, Long Term Postpartum Birth Control
Studies have shown that re-pregnancy less than 18 months after delivery can lead to complications for both mother and baby. Even if there is a premature abortion/miscarriage or abortion, it is recommended to wait at least 6 months before trying to conceive again.
How many days after delivery is the possibility of conception?
Many mothers feel that the risk of conception is low in the months or weeks after delivery. But this is not entirely correct. Many people also think that if the period does not start after delivery, then there is no pregnancy again. But getting a period is not necessary to get pregnant.
Your body usually ovulates two weeks before your period starts. This is medically called ovulation. So you can get pregnant even before your period starts.
If you're not breastfeeding or formula-fed, you can ovulate within a month of delivery and become a mother again within 6 weeks of delivery.
Therefore, birth control is necessary from the beginning of intercourse after delivery to avoid unplanned pregnancy.
Relationship of pregnancy to breastfeeding
Many mothers feel that breastfeeding does not require birth control. This is not correct. Breastfeeding delays ovulation slightly but is not completely effective in infertility.
Also Read: Some Common Misconceptions About Breastfeeding Babies
Breastfeeding lowers the risk of re-pregnancy in the following three cases—
- If your period does not resume
- If you are exclusively breastfeeding your baby, i.e. not giving formula or other complementary foods
- If your baby is less than 6 months old
Still, it is safe to use any birth control method in addition to breastfeeding to avoid the risk of unplanned pregnancy.
When to plan on birth control
Plan on birth control before intercourse begins after delivery. You can even talk about birth control during your pregnancy. Most mothers discuss this at the end of pregnancy or after delivery.
If you have a hospital delivery, discuss this with your doctor before leaving the hospital.
Apart from this, the doctor will ask you about this during the post-delivery check-up. This checkup is usually done 6 to 8 weeks after delivery. But you can discuss it at any other time.
Discuss this as soon as possible after delivery. During the discussion, keep in mind the following points—
- Your previous pregnancy experience
- Plan your future family
- Your and your partner's likes, dislikes and comfort
- side effects
- If you have any physical problems or diseases
when to start
When to start birth control depends on the method used, your comfort, daily life and physical condition.
Long-term methods can be used after childbirth. Again, wait at least 6 weeks before using some methods (eg: combined birth control pills).
Conventional birth control methods
There are different types of birth control methods that you can use after delivery—
- Barrier Methods: Male and female condoms, spermicide, diaphragm, cervical cap, sponge
- Birth control pills: combined pills, progesterone pills or the minipill. Mixed pills are usually available under the name 'Sukhi'. And the government-supplied progesterone pill is available under the name Apan
- Intrauterine devices: hormone-based or copper-based
implant
- Injections: Depo, Provera
- Sterilization or permanent birth control methods: vasectomy in men, tubal ligation in women
- Natural Method: Lactational Amenorrhea
All the above methods you can use after delivery. However, each method has different functionality and usage rules.
Can emergency contraceptive pills be taken after childbirth?
If you need emergency birth control after giving birth, you can use the following methods—
Emergency Pill : A pill called Levonogastrol (LNG-ECP) can be taken. It is also sometimes called the 'morning after' pill. Another such pill is the 'uliprostal acetate' (UPA) pill. Avoid taking this pill if you are breastfeeding your baby.
Intrauterine copper device: If you have had unprotected or uncontrolled intercourse, you can use it within 5 days. It will also help you with birth control in the future.
Also read: Uterine infection causes symptoms and solutions, Uterine infection medicine
Things to keep in mind before selection
Consider the following before choosing a birth control method
- Children: Do you want more children or not, after how long. If you don't want any more children, you can use permanent birth control.
- Timing : Some procedures should be started immediately after delivery, while some procedures may require you to wait a few days. So you can choose birth control method according to your preferred time.
- Breastfeeding : Not all birth control methods may be safe for you if you breastfeed. Some procedures can affect your breast milk.
- Effectiveness : Many of the methods you used before pregnancy may no longer be effective. Eg: sponge method, cervical cap method.
- Repetition : How often you want to use a method is also an important factor. As such, there are some methods you need to use every day. Some methods will protect you for months or years once used.
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases : If you or your partner have a history of sexually transmitted diseases, that is also a consideration when choosing a birth control method. For example, if your partner uses condoms it reduces the risk of sexually transmitted diseases from each other.
- Other diseases: Not all birth control methods may be safe for you. For example, if you have a medical condition (eg high blood pressure), avoid certain procedures.
- What is not 'over the counter': Some methods you can use yourself according to the instructions on the packet. Eg: condom, spermicide, sponge method. However, some procedures may require your doctor's advice or close supervision.
Also read: Medicines to increase sexual desire in girls
When to go to the doctor
Consult a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms while using any birth control method—
- Swelling of one or both legs
- If you have shortness of breath
- If you have chest pain
- If the foot hurts when touched
Also, be careful while using some methods. Consult a doctor if you experience any side effects of these methods.
In case of intrauterine device use
- When the device comes out
- If you have severe, sharp abdominal pain
- Blood during urination
- If you have foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Pain during intercourse
- If you cannot feel the long thread-like part of the device
In case of pill, minipill, patch, ring or implant
- If you have chronic headaches that do not get better over time
- If there is prolonged vomiting
- Spotty vaginal bleeding between periods
Read more: Menstrual pain, this home remedy will get rid of menstrual pain
Finally: Which method of birth control is effective after the first child, birth control method immediately after childbirth
Some more health posts for you
0 Comments