How Soon After Giving Birth Should I Start Contraception?

If you’re not planning to have another baby soon after childbirth, you should understand the options available for postpartum birth control as early as possible. 

At The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group, we offer a selection of popular and effective birth control choices, so you’re protected against unintended pregnancies.

Our experienced OB/GYNs can also help you choose the most effective contraceptive method based on your family plans, age, and overall health.

What to know about postpartum birth control

Postpartum birth control describes contraceptive methods to prevent pregnancy in the weeks after you give birth. Women who aren’t breastfeeding can expect to start ovulating again a few weeks after childbirth. For those who breastfeed, ovulation may be delayed for about six months.

You can get pregnant as soon as ovulation starts again. Your ovulation cycle generally occurs two weeks before you get your period, so it’s possible to get pregnant even before you have your first period following childbirth.

To prevent another pregnancy, our providers recommend that you start using birth control about three weeks after you deliver your child, even if it’s not yet safe to have sex for another few weeks.

However, if you have risks for blood clots or other health complications due to pregnancy or childbirth, we might recommend that you delay the use of contraceptives.

Know your choices in postpartum birth control

The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group provides a full selection of popular and effective birth control methods, including:

• Oral pills
• Patches
• Injections
• Implants
• Vaginal rings
• Diaphragms

We also provide hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) that provide the longest-lasting pregnancy protection. Women who can’t tolerate hormones may be candidates for the non-hormonal IUD that uses copper to prevent egg fertilization.

If you’re using a contraceptive method for the first time, our providers ensure you know how to use it correctly to prevent unplanned pregnancies.

When to start thinking about postpartum birth control

The best time to explore your options for postpartum birth control is while you’re still pregnant. You can discuss which birth control you’d like to use with our team in advance, so you know what to expect following childbirth.

If there are any complications or new health concerns after you have your baby, our providers can help you select a different form of birth control. For instance, if labor and delivery or other health issues put you at increased risk for blood clots, you might not be a candidate for hormonal contraceptives.

We assess your overall health, postpartum recovery, and other factors that can influence your choice of birth control to help you make the most informed decision. You should also consider your plans for additional pregnancies when choosing a contraceptive.

If you’re confident that you’re done having children, our physicians can provide information about tubal ligation and other sterilization methods that serve as a permanent form of birth control.

Call The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group office near you today to learn more about the available options for postpartum birth control or book a consultation online.