Providers need to know which contraceptives can be safely used
by breastfeeding mothers and non-breastfeeding mothers. It is
crucial to counsel a woman to weigh her options carefully for
any method that would be used immediately after delivery. The
best time for this counseling is during the prenatal period.
During labor or immediately after delivery is not an appropriate
time for contraceptive counseling.
All young women, breastfeeding or not, can begin to use condoms
or spermicides immediately postpartum. Due to risk of expulsion,
IUDs should be inserted within 48 hours by an appropriately
trained provider. Otherwise, insertion should be delayed for
six weeks until the uterus has returned to its normal shape.
Diaphragm or cervical cap use should be delayed until six weeks
postpartum because these devices cannot be fitted properly until
that time.
Breastfeeding women can begin to use LAM immediately postpartum.
They should wait six weeks before using progestin-only methods
(Norplant, DMPA, NET-EN, or POPs) or natural family planning.
They should wait six months before beginning combined hormonal
contraceptives (pills or injectables).
Non-breastfeeding mothers can begin using progestin-only methods
immediately but should wait three weeks before beginning combined
hormonal contraceptives or natural family planning. As discussed
above, sterilization is not recommended for young mothers.
|
