prevention for nursing mothers
prevention for nursing mothers
How soon can I be on family planning after giving birth?
How soon can I be on family planning after giving birth?
Earliest times that a woman can start a family planning method after childbirth are:
Family Planning Method |
Fully or Nearly Fully Breastfeeding |
Partially Breastfeeding or Not Breastfeeding |
Lactational Amenorrhea Method |
Immediately |
(Not applicable) |
Vasectomy |
Immediately or during partner's pregnancy‡ |
|
Male or female condoms Spermicides |
Immediately |
|
Progestin-only pills Implants |
Immediately |
|
Copper-bearing IUD Levonorgestrel IUD |
Within 48 hours, otherwise wait 4 weeks |
|
Female sterilization |
Within 7 days, otherwise wait 6 weeks |
|
Progesterone-releasing vaginal ring |
4-9 weeks postpartum |
If breastfeeding at least |
Diaphragm |
Can be fitted 6 weeks after childbirth |
|
Fertility awareness methods |
Start when normal secretions have returned (for symptoms-based methods) or she has had 3 regular menstrual cycles (for calendar-based methods). This will be later for breastfeeding women than for women who are not breastfeeding. |
|
Progestin-only injectables |
6 weeks after childbirth§ |
Immediately if not breastfeeding§ 6 weeks after childbirth if partially breastfeeding§ |
Combined oral contraceptives |
6 months after childbirth§ |
21 days after childbirth if not breastfeeding§ 6 weeks after childbirth if partially breastfeeding§ |
Monthly injectables |
||
Combined patch |
||
Combined vaginal ring |
‡ If a man has a vasectomy during the first 6 months of his partner’s pregnancy, it will be effective by the time she delivers her baby.
§ Earlier use is not usually recommended unless other, more appropriate methods are not available or not acceptable.