References:

1. Government of Canada – Chapter 5: Postpartum Care
2. MyHealth.Alberta.ca – Learning About Birth Control After Child Birth

Lactational Amenorrhea Method:

• Can be used for the first 6 months after birth if:
  • Your period has not returned (not even spotting since 6 weeks postpartum)
  • Your baby is exclusively breastfed on demand and is not fed any other food
• Alternate forms of birth control are necessary once your periods have returned, your baby is older than 6 months, is no longer exclusively breastfeeding, you are going longer than 4-6 hours between breastfeeds
• This can sometimes by used as a reliable form of contraception, but alternative methods of birth control are also suggested

Hormonal Contraceptives:

• Pills, shot, patches, vaginal ring
• Protect against pregnancy, do not protect against STI (Sexually Transmitted Infections)
• These may decrease milk production if they contain estrogen
• Progestin only contraceptives usually do not affect milk supply when started between 6-8 weeks postpartum
• There is no evidence that these hormones are dangerous to your baby

Condoms:

• Protect against pregnancy and STI
• Must be used every time you have sex
• Can be used any time after birth

Long-Acting Reversible Contraception:

• Implants under the skin of the arm
  • Contain progestin
  • Can be implanted for approximately 3 years
  • Can be placed right after birth
  • Does not protect against STI
• Intrauterine devices (IUD)
  • Contain copper or progestin
  • Can be implanted for 3-10 years depending on the type
  • Can be inserted right after birth if discussed with healthcare provider in advance
  • Does not protect against STI

Emergency Contraception:

• The morning after pill and the copper IUD
  • Used if no form of preventative birth control was used or if a condom breaks
  • Morning after pill can be used up to 5 days after unprotected sex, but works best if you take it right away
  • Copper IUD can be inserted up to 5 days after unprotected sex
  • Safe to use while breastfeeding
  • Do not protect against STI

Tubal Ligation and Vasectomy:

• Can provide long lasting protection against pregnancy
• Do not protect against STI
• Only a choice when you and your partner are sure you do not want any more children

How Do I Get Birth Control?

• Without a prescription
  • Condoms
  • Some morning after pills
    • Located behind the counter at the pharmacy, you will have to ask for it
• With a prescription
  • Birth control pills, shot, skin patches, and vaginal ring
  • Implant or IUD

Further Your Learning:

     1.  MyHealth.Alberta.ca – Learning About Birth Control After Birth

Shareable Resources For Clients:

     1.  La Leche League – Birth Control