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Contraception - Management
How does recent delivery and not breastfeeding influence choice?

  • Contraception is not needed in the first 20 days after delivery, but is required from day 21 if the woman does not want to become pregnant.
  • Women who are not breastfeeding and are less than 3 weeks postpartum
    • Methods that can be used without restriction: progestogen-only pill, progestogen-only injectables and implants, barrier methods, and natural family planning.
    • Methods that are not usually recommended (risks usually outweigh the advantages): combined oral contraceptive pill (COC), combined contraceptive patch, combined contraceptive vaginal ring, copper IUDs and the levonorgestrel-releasing IUS (use within 48 hours or from 4 weeks after delivery). Fertility awareness–based methods should be delayed — fertility signs and hormonal changes are unlikely to be detectable before 4 weeks postpartum.
    • Sterilization is usually delayed until the woman is 6 weeks or more postpartum.
  • Women who are not breastfeeding and are 3 weeks or more postpartum
    • Methods that can be used without restriction: COCs, combined contraceptive patch, combined contraceptive vaginal ring, progestogen-only pill, progestogen-only injectables and implants, copper IUDs and the levonorgestrel-releasing IUS (use within 48 hours or from 4 weeks after delivery), and barrier methods.
    • Fertility awareness–based methods: a previous user can start, but a new user should delay learning to use the method until her periods start.
    • Sterilization is usually delayed until the woman is 6 weeks or more postpartum.
    • There are no methods that should not be used (because of unacceptable health risk).

In depth

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