Providers need to offer nonbreastfeeding women contraceptive
options early in the postpartum period since these women will
not benefit from the protection that LAM offers. Contraceptive
use is most effective if started by three weeks postpartum.
For nonbreastfeeding women postpartum, all contraceptive methods
except LAM are options. However, the timing of initiation varies
according to the method.
As shown in the top three horizontal bars, use of condoms,
spermicides, progestin-only pills, progestin-only injectables,
subdermal implants, vasectomy and withdrawal may be initiated
immediately postpartum.
IUD insertion can be performed within the first 48 hours after
birth or delayed four to six weeks postpartum. Female sterilization
can be performed within the first week after giving birth (although
preferably within 48 hours). Otherwise, it should be delayed
until four to six weeks postpartum.
Women who wish to use periodic abstinence should begin looking
for signs of fertility about three weeks postpartum.
Combined estrogen-progestin contraceptives should be delayed
until three weeks postpartum due to the increased risk of blood
clotting problems during this period.
LNg IUS insertion should be delayed until the uterus returns
to normal size at six weeks postpartum.
As is true for breastfeeding women, initiation of the use of
a diaphragm or cervical cap must be delayed until six weeks
postpartum when the woman’s uterus has returned to normal
size, at which time the devices can be fitted by a trained provider.
This concludes the section about contraceptive options for
women postpartum.
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