About this topic
Breastfeeding is one of the best things you can do for your baby. Breast milk has all the nutrients that your baby needs to protect from diseases. Taking care of yourself is important so you can take good care of your baby. ‚
You can still have sex with your partner even though you have had a baby. You may want to use birth control so you do not get pregnant. Make sure to use birth control that is safe while breastfeeding. ‚
Be sure to talk to your doctor about: ‚
- Taking the lowest dose of hormone birth control possible
- Changes in your milk supply while using birth control pills
General
Hormonal Method: Drugs giving you hormones that keep a womans ovary from releasing eggs to be fertilized. The hormonal method does not protect you from STDs. The drugs most often only have progestin if you are nursing. ‚
- Oral birth control pill ¢ ˆ ’ A pill that you take each day that gives you hormones. The pill stops you from releasing an egg each month and thickens the cervical mucus that keeps the sperm from reaching the egg.
Implanted Devices: Devices put into the body to stop eggs from being fertilized. The devices can be kept in place for a few years, but do not protect you from STDs. ‚
- Intrauterine device (IUD) ¢ ˆ ’ A T-shaped, flexible device that has hormones, which is put into your uterus (womb) by the doctor.
- Implantable rod ¢ ˆ ’ A matchstick-sized rod that is put under the skin of your upper arm. The rod releases progestin.
Barrier Methods: Use a block or barrier to keep the sperm from reaching the egg. Condoms give you the most protection from getting STDs from your partner. Spermicides do not protect you from STDs. ‚
- Male condom ¢ ˆ ’ A thin film cover placed over the penis during sex. Each condom can only be used one time.
- Female condom ¢ ˆ ’ A lubricated thin pouch that is placed into the vagina during sex. Each condom can only be used one time.
- Diaphragm with spermicide ¢ ˆ ’ A dome-shaped flexible disc and rim. The diaphragm covers the cervix so the sperm cannot reach the egg. You also use a spermicide at the same time.
- Sponge with spermicide ¢ ˆ ’ A disc-shaped device with spermicide that covers your cervix and is put into your vagina before sex.
- Cervical cap with spermicide ¢ ˆ ’ A soft latex or silicon cup with a round rim that fits over your cervix.
- Spermicide ¢ ˆ ’ A foam, cream, jelly, film, or tablet that kills the sperm when used.
Family Planning: The only way to fully avoid pregnancy is to not have sex. Another name for not having sex is abstinence. By practicing abstinence, you will also avoid STDs. ‚
- Natural family planning ¢ ˆ ’ Not having sex during the time you can get pregnant. Avoid sex about 5 days before you ovulate and for about 3 days after. Natural family planning does not protect you from STDs.
Permanent Methods: Surgery for people who do not want children in the future. Women will not be able to get pregnant. Men will not be able to get a woman pregnant. Permanent methods do not protect you from STDs. ‚
- Sterilization surgery:
- Women ¢ ˆ ’ The fallopian tubes are closed off so the sperm cannot reach the egg, which is a tubal ligation.
- Men ¢ ˆ ’ The tube that carries the sperm is blocked. The fluid that comes does not have sperm in it. Male sterilization is called a vasectomy.
- Sterilization implant for women ¢ ˆ ’ A small flexible metal device is put in the fallopian tube. A scar forms around the device, which blocks the sperm from reaching the egg.
Emergency Contraceptives: May be used if you did not use birth control before sex or if your normal birth control failed. Emergency contraceptives should not be used as a routine form of birth control. Emergency contraceptives do not protect you from STDs. ‚
- Morning after pill ¢ ˆ ’ One or two pills with hormones that work the same way as with other birth control pills. You can use the pill after you have sex without a condom or without the use of any birth control. The pill is also used if your birth control did not work or you are forced to have sex.
What will the results be?
- Your breast milk will not harm your baby.
- You may not get pregnant.
Where can I learn more?
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ‚
http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq029.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20120709T1805589665 ‚
Healthy Children ‚
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/breastfeeding/Pages/Birth-Control-and-Breastfeeding.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚