New Mothers to Birth Control Guide

Birth control after having a baby may be the last thing on a new mother's mind, but the subject is one which should be thought about in advance. The number of birth control myths leave some new mothers confused about which birth control method to use, and some soon learn that they can get pregnant again much sooner than they believed. Birth control is a must for any new mother who does not want to become pregnant again immediately after giving birth. Having a new baby, however, may change the birth control options for new mothers. Breastfeeding can impact a woman's birth control options in a number of ways, most importantly when new mothers believe that breastfeeding can be a preventative method against pregnancy. New mothers have many decisions to make during those first few months after giving birth and birth control should be near the top of the list for those who plan to resume regular sexual relations after giving birth.

Birth Control in the First Few Weeks After Giving Birth

The general guideline for birth control in the weeks following giving birth is for new mothers to abstain from sexual intercourse for an average of 6 weeks with a natural childbirth. Healing from childbirth is the focus for the first weeks after pregnancy, and women who have had a Caesaran Section may be advised to wait longer. Each new mother's health will factor in for the number of weeks a doctor advises for abstaining from sexual intercourse. Generally, for most women, the first few weeks after giving birth is the time for abstinence as a form of birth control.

Birth Control Options

Birth control should be decided before new mothers resume sexual intercourse. There have been more than a few women who have become pregnant in the first few months after giving birth because they did not think they could get pregnant, in the absence of a menstruation. Non-brestfeeding mothers usually get their first period back between 1-2 months after giving birth. Women who breastfeed may not get their period for several months after birth.

Women who are planning to resume sexual relations should consult with their doctor about how far in advance they should start their birth control method before having intercourse. The birth control pill is a popular choice as a birth control method, and this method should be started in advance of sexual relations to be effective.

Condoms are a birth control option for nearly all women who are not allergic to latex. Cautious new mothers might want to consider condoms during the first few weeks of starting back on the birth control pill.

Abstinence is naturally 100% effective for preventing future pregnancy, and some new mothers may want to choose this options while they regain their health after giving birth. The old fashioned rhythm method of calculating safe times for sexual intercourse during any given month is the least reliable form of birth control for new mothers. New mothers are especially at risk using the rhythm method since their menstrual cycles have been absent for ten months.

Doctors may also be able to administer Depo-Provera as birth control for new mothers, but breastfeeding mothers are generally advised against this. Interuterine devices are another form of birth control that can be used in consultation with a doctor.

Pregnancy Prevention and Planning

New mothers who want to prevent a pregnancy soon after giving birth should carefully consider the options available for birth control. The most effective is abstinence, at least temporarily post-partum. Doctor consultation should be made before starting any new form of birth control after giving birth. Once a birth control method is decided, new mothers should consider the individual risks and side effects of each birth control method. Breastfeeding mothers are especially at risk for pregnancy when they do not use any birth control and there is always a pregnancy risk, even when menstruation has not appeared to resume.

New mothers who are planning to have more children may want to consider which method is the best to use temporarily until they plan to try conceiving again. Mothers who want to have more children in the near future may consider condoms an easier option. Whatever the method of birth control used after giving birth, pregnancy prevention should be weighed against the risks and side effects of each method.