Birth control after delivery

It is recommended that you wait between pregnancies to allow you to recuperate, lose weight, and breastfeed adequately. If your pregnancy was complicated by diabetes, high blood pressure, premature labor, or if you delivered by cesarean section, you should wait at least a year before trying to conceive again.

The birth control method that you choose after delivery will depend on several factors:

If you are currently breastfeeding
If you are planning another pregnancy soon
If you are finished with childbearing
Your general health status

Birth control for breastfeeding mothers

Avoid contraception containing estrogen as it may decrease the production of breast milk. You may use progesterone only, such as:

Progesterone-only birth control pills (the mini-pill)
Mirena or Paraguard IUD
Nexplanon
Depo-Provera
Condoms
Diaphragm

Birth control for bottle-feeding mothers

All bottle-feeding mothers can use any form of contraception including estrogen-containing birth control pills provided they have normal blood pressure and do not smoke.

Non-hormonal birth control methods include:

Condoms
Diaphragm
Copper (Paraguard) IUD

Permanent birth control methods include:

Tubal Ligation (via postpartum Laparoscopy or done at the time of Cesarean Section)
Tubal Ligation can be done in breastfeeding mothers
Vasectomy (a procedure for the male partner)

Our goal is to discuss your birth control options and plan before your delivery. Please discuss these options with your OB provider during your OB visit.