Postpartum Birth Control Options

Although most doctors and midwives recommend abstaining from sex for six weeks after pregnancy, some people resume their sex lives much sooner. For women who have uncomplicated deliveries with no vaginal tearing or episiotomy incision, sexual intercourse can be resumed as early as two weeks after giving birth. Unless you want to get pregnant right away, it is best to decide on a birth control plan before you leave the hospital. This will allow your doctor to answer any questions or write a prescription if necessary.

Hormonal Birth Control

One of the most common methods of birth control involves hormone treatments in the form of pill, skin patch, injection, or vaginal ring. One type of hormonal birth control combines estrogen and progestin and is 95% percent effective in preventing pregnancy is used correctly. Some combined forms include the combination pill, Ortho Evra skin patch, and Nuva Ring vaginal ring. Combined hormone methods are recommended for nursing mothers because the estrogen can be transmitted through breast milk. Combined hormone methods are also not recommended for women who smoke or who have a history of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke.

The other method of hormone birth control are is progestin only treatments that are also about 95% effective if used correctly. Some types of progestin only birth control include the "mini-pill", Depo-Provera injection, and Mirena IUD. Birth control pills containing only progestin must be taken at the same time each day to prevent pregnancy. Missing a scheduled dose by as little as two hours can lead to pregnancy. Anyone taking a late dose or missing a dose should use another method of birth control until her next period. Depo-Provera is an injection given every three moths that provides immediate protection from pregnancy and is about 98% effective. Mirena is a longer-term removable contraceptive recommended for women who don't plan to have more children or who want to wait several years between pregnancies. It is implanted in the uterus for up to five years, but can be safely removed if a woman changes her mind during that time. Mirena is about 99% effective. Although most doctors consider progestin only forms of birth control appropriate for nursing mothers, some debate is ongoing about whether progestin can be transferred through breast milk, particularly when taken in pill form.

Surgical Sterilization

For couples who do not plan to have any more children one of the most effective methods of birth control is surgical sterilization. The female procedure of tubal ligation can safely be performed immediately after a woman gives birth while she still has an epidural. The ligation or tying off of the fallopian tubes can be done as a laparoscopic or mini-laparoscopic procedure and a woman can recover from both the tubal ligation and the birthing ordeal at the same time. Tubal ligation is 99% effective for the first year with a slightly larger pregnancy risk in the following years. Tubal ligation can be reversed, but some women suffer complications and the risk of ectopic pregnancy is greater after a tubal reversal.

The male surgical sterilization procedure, vasectomy, is a minor outpatient procedure where the vas deferens are cut, preventing sperm from exiting the body in semen. A vasectomy is more than 99.9% percent effective in preventing pregnancy and has fewer complications and a lower mortality rate that tubal ligation. The vasectomy procedure is reversible, but does not reversal always result in restored fertility. Either surgical sterilization procedure is an effective birth control method.

Barrier Methods

For couples who are not interested in long-term or permanent birth control methods, several barrier methods of birth control are effective. Condoms are a very effective birth control method when used properly. Diaphragms and cervical caps are also effective barrier methods, although a woman needs to be refitted for these after giving birth. Adding spermicide to any barrier method decreases the likelihood of getting pregnant. Hormonal fluctuations may make sex uncomfortable for some women after childbirth. Adding a lubricant can help, but some lubricants can interfere with spermicide or lessen the effectiveness of condoms.

Periodic Abstinence/Rhythm Method

For a couple not interested in hormonal methods, surgery, or barrier methods, periodic abstinence during the time a woman is ovulating is an effective birth control method. It involves careful tracking of menstrual cycles and temperature changes to determine when a woman is ovulating. This method particularly when a woman is breastfeeding can be effective. Breastfeeding by itself is not an effective contraceptive method, but a woman who is consistently breast-feeding is less likely to get pregnant. Breastfeeding when combined with the rhythm method can be very effective birth control and has the benefit of being drug and chemical free.

For couples who want to resume their sex life soon after having a baby, there are several effective birth control methods. Choosing the right method depends on when or if another child is planned and whether or not a woman is breastfeeding. Most birth control methods when used correctly are substantially effective, but the only 100% effective birth control method is abstinence.

Sources:
http://pregnancyandbaby.sheknows.com/pregnancy/Detailed/After-baby--A-look-at-birth-control-options-1015.htm

http://www.pregnancy-period.com/pregnancybirthcontrol.html