They all tell you about the days of pregnancy- the first second and the third trimester. However, they seldom tell you about your postpartum body in detail. When you decide to carry a new life inside you, you must be prepared to go through all the changes that your body goes through. Even after childbirth, your body doesn’t stop to change.
Many times women feel that they can’t get pregnant after recently having a baby. Ideally, you must wait for at least 2 years after the delivery of a baby. This does not mean your body will stop its natural reproduction cycle. So if you want to avoid having Irish twins, here is detail information on Postpartum Birth Control – Types and Side Effects.
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Postpartum Birth Control – Types and Side Effects
Many women live in the misconception that they won’t be feeling “horny” after having a baby. Well, if you thought that too, you are wrong! You will find yourself most aroused after a few weeks of your childbirth. While you may start ovulating sooner, you do not instantly know this. Hence, if you have unprotected sex, there are high chances that you might get pregnant. This is not good for your body as it is still nurturing the newborn baby. Hence, you must start using birth control.
Types of birth control: Which one is right for you?
To say that which type of birth control is right, well they all are. However, except for IUD (which can be inserted immediately) you need to wait at least for 4 weeks before using any birth control. Why? Because the first 4-6 weeks is the recovery period for your body.
To let your body heal, it is essential for you to give it time and recuperate. And that would not happen if you conceive soon after giving birth. That is when these birth control types would come in handy and save the day and in some cases, even months! And when it comes to trying for another baby, you can always stop using birth control methods.
Often people worry that some type of birth control methods can cause complications in conceiving in the future. But that does not happen. Yes, some types of birth control methods can cause a temporary delay in getting pregnant but that is it. All you need to do is stop the birth control at the right time.
HORMONAL BIRTH CONTROL
The Pill
The most known birth control is the pill. There are 2 kinds of it- combination pills and mini pills.
Combination pills– These come with the combination of estrogen and progestin- Hence the name. They have a weekly supply of placebo pill i.e. the inactive pills. Hence, after having these pills, you will have periods. These are not good if you are nursing.
Mini pills– These are the progestin-only pills and are good for you if you are nursing. This does not contain a placebo pack.
The Patch (Orthoevra Or Xulane)
The patch falls between the pills and the permanent methods. This one is also a combination of estrogen and progestin. You have to apply this patch for 3 weeks on the same day. Above is a pattern in which you must apply the patch.
The Ring (Nuvaring)
Another put and forget option for you like the patch is the ring. This has a lower amount of hormones but is good to go for 3 weeks. Hence you have to apply it only once in a month. This thickens the cervical mucus, which disables the sperm to reach an egg.
The Implant (Nexplanon)
This is an option if you want to have long-term birth control. It is a flexible plastic rod that is inserted in your arm. It is a good option for nursing moms.
The Shot (Depo-Provera)
The shot lasts for about 3 months and can be taken immediately of the childbirth. This is a good option if you don’t want to get pregnant any time soon. However, it takes up to 10 months for your cycle to get normal. So immediate conception after you stop taking shots is rare.
The Hormonal Iud
Breastfeeding-yes
The hormonal IUD releases small amounts of progestin that increases the mucus in your uterus. This does not allow the sperm to reach the egg. This birth control is effective for 3-7 years. So just get it and forget it.
NON-HORMONAL BIRTH CONTROL
The copper IUD
If you are looking for a semi-permanent option then this is the one for you. This IUD is made of copper and triggers inflammation that’s unfriendly to sperm. However, it is safe for your pregnancy. The side effects of this are that you might experience some spotting and heavier as well as longer periods.
BARRIER METHODS
Male and female condoms
These are by far the most common and cheapest of the birth control that has almost no side effects.
Diaphragm
It is a fitted cup used in conjunction with spermicide and inserts to prevent pregnancy. It is fitted to the cervix.
Cervical cap
Also read: Baby Sleeping Methods for Your Little One
PERMANENT METHOD
Tubal ligation
This is a process where you lose your ability to reproduce. In this, the fallopian tubes are either cut, cut and tied or banded.
When Should You Stop Taking Birth Control If You Want To Start Trying For Baby Again?
Generally, most people become pregnant within a year after stopping birth control. The time period, however, depends upon the type of birth control method that you are using. It means that it would take longer to get pregnant if you are currently using hormonal birth control pills or taking shots than that if you are using a barrier method. So the answer to your question will vary. Let’s break down that answer in detail.
Takes Longer With Hormonal Birth Control
Hormonal birth control methods affect your reproductive cycle by stopping your ovulation process. And we all know that there is no fertility if there is no ovulation. In order for you to get pregnant, you need to start ovulating again. And to get back in that fertility zone, you need to let the effects of hormonal birth control wear off. But don’t worry; your body needs time to get back to its normal function and that sometimes takes a few weeks and sometimes months. Hence the slight delay.
If you are using hormonal contraceptives like combination pill, Nuvaring, and the Patch, it can take you about 1 to 3 months to get pregnant after stopping their use. But if you are on mini-pills, then you are likely to get pregnant days or a few weeks after you quit them.
When it comes to IUDs, your fertility comes back quickly, sometimes even within a month once you have it removed from an expert doctor. But on average, it takes about four months for conception after its removal.
You can get pregnant in about 5 to 9 months if you skip one shot while on a mission of making a baby. Sometimes it might even take 10-12 months. And if you have inserted a birth control implant, it could take you 3 to 8 months to conceive after you have it removed.
Natural and Barrier Methods Are Quick
Barrier methods that include using condoms, female condoms, a diaphragm, cervical cap or spermicide will be quick to give you your fertility back because they never took it in the first place. While using barrier methods, you were only preventing the sperms from reaching your eggs with an added bonus of protection from STDs. Phew! So when you stop using barriers, you will get pregnant far quickly. The same goes for natural methods where you were keeping track of your most fertile days. Rather than not having sex during these days, have lots of it and you will have a bun in the oven soon enough. Wink!
Relax if you have not conceived yet even after a month or few months of stopping birth control. Ovulation equals fertility but fertility does not equal pregnancy. The first thing you need to make sure of is to have sex in the most fertile days. Another thing to remember is that your age, lifestyle, and health also play a key role in the process of getting pregnant. So if you haven’t gotten pregnant within a year or six months if you are over the age of 35, we would suggest you to consult a doctor.
Is Breastfeeding A Type Of Birth Control?
If you think that breastfeeding is just a healthy way to feed your baby then nope. It can also be a birth control method! Yes, breastfeeding is also a birth control method known as LAM (Lactational Amenorrhea Method). The reason for this is lack of period during the few months after the delivery of your baby. However, there are certain ways to make that possible.
First and foremost, you need to remember that breastfeeding can work as birth control only if breastfeed exclusively. It means that you have to nurse every 4 hours during the day and every six hours during the night. This way your body will stop ovulating and that is what prevents pregnancy.
Another thing you need to ensure is that your baby is only having breast milk. If you feed your baby anything other than breast milk, even formula then breastfeeding wouldn’t be working as an efficient birth control method. Also, you are not supposed to use breast pump either. Only nursing your baby will stop you from becoming pregnant.
While breastfeeding can act as a great birth control, it is not something you can rely on for longer time. You can breastfeed your baby for as long as you want but it will only act as birth control in the first six months of your baby’s life. This is because after these six months your period would return. Sometimes your period might return even before the six months mark. So once you cross that mark, you better start using other birth control methods or you could end up being pregnant again.
Best Birth Control Options While Breastfeeding
Some birth control methods contain estrogen, which should be avoided because it impacts your milk supply. There are some birth control methods that are great to use while breastfeeding. But their reliability varies. Let’s have a look at what are these options.
- Barrier methods such as condoms, sponge, cervical cap or diaphragm, are great to use once you are allowed to have sexual intercourse after the birth of the baby. They neither affect your ovulation nor disrupt your milk supply.
- Mini-pill which consists of only progestin is the only oral contraceptive we would suggest since unlike the hormonal birth control pills, mini pills don’t reduce the milk supply.
- IUDs are great option when you are looking for a long-term birth control method. You just have to wait 6 weeks to get the IUD inserted after the delivery of your baby.
- A shot of Depo-Provera which is a progesterone-only injection can also prevent pregnancy for about 3 months. There could be some side effects so it is better to take it after discussing it with your doctor.
- The implant is also a great alternative if you want to prevent pregnancy for a longer time.
Before opting for any of the birth control methods, have a good discussion with your partner and doctor. This way you can know the benefits of each method and also their possible impacts. Assess each of them and only then choose the method which you think is best.
The Risks – When To Call The Doctor
Even though the risks associated with these birth control methods are minor, you can have blood clotting if you do it immediately after the birth (for hormonal birth control- pill, patch, and ring).
Some symptoms that require immediate response and should never be neglected are:
- Swelling in one or both legs
- Shortness of breath
- Tenderness or pain or your leg is warm to the touch
- Chest pain
In IUD:
- Expulsion
- Sharp, severe abdominal pain
- Bleeding while you urinate
- Bad-smelling discharge
- Pain during sex
- You can’t feel your IUD strings
- IUD’s string feels longer
Also read: Pregnancy Guide: What Is Postpartum Hair Loss And 6 Helpful Tips To Tackle It
These were the Postpartum Birth Control – Types and Side Effects. Although we tried to cover every side effect, if you experience anything else that’s doesn’t seem normal, please see your doctor immediately. You know your body well, so catch the response it gives.
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