1. Breastfeeding as a Birth Control Method
It can be confusing for new moms to choose birth control while breastfeeding. Exclusive breastfeeding is considered to be 98 percent effective as a method of birth control for up to six months following your baby's birth, and it's actually called lactation amenorrhea method. Exclusive breastfeeding requires that your baby receives no bottles of formula, no water bottles, no pacifiers and is allowed to nurse on demand. Some women experience no menstrual period the entire time their breastfeeding. For other moms, menstruation returns around six months or so. It's possible to get pregnant before your period returns since you'll be ovulating before your first postpartum period.
2. Hormonal-Free Birth Control Methods
Barrier methods are a great birth control choice for breastfeeding moms because of the limited amount of side effects. Condoms, diaphragms and sponges are possible barrier methods that are usually safe for breastfeeding moms. Childbirth does change the size and shape of the cervix, and both the diaphragm and sponge work by preventing sperm from entering the cervix. If you previously had a diaphragm before childbirth, you'll need to be resized. An improperly fitted diaphragm will not be as effective at preventing pregnancy.
3. Balance Your Ability to Handle a Pregnancy versus Effectiveness of Your Birth Control Method
Consider how long you want to breastfeed and whether or not you feel you'd be able to continue breastfeeding if you were pregnant at the same time. Keep in mind that in most cases, it's completely healthy to breastfeed while being pregnant, but if you experienced a difficult pregnancy before or a lot of morning sickness, you might not feel up to breastfeeding. Choose a birth control method that is safe to use while breastfeeding but still offers you the level of protection you desire. Some women desire the high rate of effectiveness of hormonal methods of birth control, and there are several options available for breastfeeding moms.
4. Hormonal Birth Control
If you're not comfortable with the effectiveness of barrier methods because they offer less pregnancy protection than oral contraceptives, you don't have to forgo hormonal birth control entirely just because you're breastfeeding. Ask your doctor about a low-dose progesterone pill safe for nursing moms. Avoid oral contraceptives that contain estrogen, and if you experience a decreased milk supply from progesterone-only pills stop using them and choose an alternative birth control method.
5. Breastfeeding and IUDs
A copper intrauterine device (IUD) is a popular choice among nursing moms. A copper IUD offers around 97 percent effectiveness at preventing pregnancy and can be kept in place for up to five years. A hormonal IUD is also an option, but you'll have to wait six weeks or more postpartum until your breast milk is established and your uterus returns to its pre-pregnancy size. Neither type of IUD is believed to affect the quality or quantity of breast milk.
