Birth Control Options After Having a Baby

If you just had a baby or are still expecting, it's important to consider birth control options. There are various choices, and finding the right one for you depends on many factors.

Hormonal methods release hormones into your body that prevent ovulation. This allows you to avoid pregnancy.

One of the most popular birth control methods is an implant called Implanon. This is a small flexible plastic rod placed under the skin of your upper arm by a doctor or nurse.

It releases the hormone progestogen into your bloodstream to prevent pregnancy for three years. It is very effective, more than 99%.

IMPLANON is safe to use and does not interfere with your menstrual cycle. However, you should check with your healthcare professional if you've had unusual vaginal bleeding or lower stomach (abdominal) pain before using this product.

If you become pregnant while using IMPLANON, you have a slightly higher chance of having an ectopic pregnancy (inside the womb that is not growing properly). Ectopic pregnancies may cause serious internal bleeding, infertility, and even death.

You must have the implant removed by your healthcare provider at least once every three years. This procedure takes less than five minutes and is covered for free under most health insurance plans.

Depo-Provera (depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate or DMPA) is a reversible form of birth control given every three months. It stops a woman from producing an egg and changes the lining of her uterus so it's less likely to accept a fertilized egg.

It's very effective at preventing pregnancy, with less than one pregnancy per 100 women using it. It's also very easy to use. You get a shot in your muscle every 11 to 13 weeks. You have to remember to take it each time.

Taking Depo-Provera is safe for most women and doesn't interfere with having sex. However, some women experience side effects such as irregular bleeding or no periods.

After you stop using Depo-Provera, it takes an average of 6 months for your fertility to return to normal. Some women don't have a period when they stop, but it should return.

LAM is a free, non-hormonal birth control method that can be effective in the first six months after a woman gives birth. It is about as effective as hormonal methods like the birth control pill and is very safe for most women.

When used properly, the LAM method prevents pregnancy about half the time. However, it does not work as well if you are breastfeeding too much or spending long periods apart from your baby.

If you are thinking about using this method of birth control, it is important to talk with your healthcare provider about any risks it may pose for you and your baby.

It is also important to know that this method of birth control can be very uncomfortable for you and your baby. It can cause bloating, nausea, and vomiting. It can also make you sleepy and tired. So be sure to use it properly and follow the instructions closely.

Nexplanon is a reversible form of hormonal birth control that’s safe to use after having a baby. It contains the active drug etonogestrel, which belongs to a class of drugs called progestins.

This medication works by thickening the mucus around your cervix, which blocks the flow of sperm. It also prevents your ovaries from releasing an egg.

The ovaries are located in your rib cage and produce hormones that affect your menstrual cycle. These hormones can cause your period to be heavier, lighter, longer, or shorter.

If you have an ovary problem, your doctor may recommend a different form of birth control. Your doctor may also tell you to avoid taking etonogestrel during pregnancy.

Some women who take etonogestrel have an increased risk of developing hormone-sensitive cancers (cancers that are more likely to come back after a woman has used this type of birth control). It would help to talk with your doctor about these risks before you start using Etonogestrel.