Which contraception is best while breastfeeding

Children whose mothers used hormonal birth control while nursing have been followed as late as 17 years of age. The exception to this is the very young baby — less than 6 weeks old. Any hormonal birth control may cause fussiness in the baby not reported in the literature but often anecdotally by mothers.

Effects on mother: If you had gestational diabetes during pregnancy, talk to your doctor about the safety of using the mini-pill while breastfeeding. Contraception and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Latina women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus.

This study of more than Latinas found that those who had been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and then took mini-pills while breastfeeding had an almost threefold risk of developing type II diabetes within a year, compared with those who used different contraception.

This study concentrated on Hispanic women, and thus it is not clear whether the results can be applied to all ethnic groups. Intravenous urography during lactation. J Radiol. Excretion of metrizamide in milk. Br J Radiol. Breastfeeding and radiologic procedures. Can Fam Physician. Apr ; 53 4 : — Excretion of iohexol and metrizoate in human breast milk.

Acta Radiol ; 28 5 Presse Med. Quality Initiatives Guidelines for use of medical imaging during pregnancy and lactation.

Radiographics ; Imaging of pregnant and lactating patients: Part 1. This website uses cookies to improve your experience but you can opt-out if you wish. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website.

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Choosing the right contraception if you choose to breastfeed is an important part of your post-partum plan. If you do choose to breastfeed, we recommend non-hormonal or progestogen-only methods of contraception, as research shows these methods are safe for breastfeeding mothers and the development of their babies.

Some options include the contraceptive implant Jadelle , the Depo Provera injection, the progestogen only pill, or condoms. The ECP can also be used safely any time while breastfeeding. You can read all about our post-partum contraception advice on our advice page. Breastfeeding can also be a form of contraception for the first six months after giving birth, but this method is difficult to use effectively. Ask your nurse or midwife about how this works and what you need to be aware of during this time.

You may have side-effects from the injection, such as mood changes, stomach discomfort and headaches. These effects can last for up to 12 weeks. A small plastic rod is inserted under the skin on the inside of your upper arm. It slowly releases progestogen to stop your ovaries from releasing an egg each month.

Your bleeding pattern will probably change, and may even stop. Side-effects of the contraceptive skin implant may include skin changes, mood changes or minor weight gain.

A small contraceptive device is placed in your uterus and prevents you getting pregnant conceiving. Natural methods or fertility awareness methods of contraception include rhythm, symptothermal, cervical mucus observation and basal temperature methods.

A woman needs to observe her bodily signs daily or, depending on the method, more than once a day to determine when she is potentially fertile during the menstrual cycle. Practising natural methods of contraception requires women to abstain from sex or use contraception when they can get pregnant. Natural methods of contraception rely on abstinence and the detection of signs and symptoms of fertility.

For this reason, its use may be particularly difficult after childbirth and breastfeeding. Female sterilisation is called tubal ligation and involves blocking the fallopian tubes. Male sterilisation is called vasectomy. It involves cutting the tubes that carry sperm from the testes to the penis.

These operations are more than 99 per cent effective. They are intended to be permanent, so they are suitable for people who are confident that they do not want any more children. If you are considering sterilisation, arrange a medical consultation with your doctor. They will provide you with all the appropriate information and enable you to give your informed consent for this surgery. The emergency contraceptive pill should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex for maximum effectiveness.

It is not per cent effective in preventing a pregnancy and is more effective the sooner it is taken. There are two types of emergency contraceptive pill, both available at pharmacies without a prescription:. Ulipristal has been clinically demonstrated to be more effective than levonorgestrel in reducing the risk of pregnancy when taken up to five days hours after unprotected sex.

It is not recommended when breastfeeding because it is excreted in breastmilk and its effects on infants are unknown. The vaginal ring works in the same way as the combined pill. It contains hormones that prevent your ovaries from releasing an egg each month. It is not recommended if you are breastfeeding a child under six weeks because it can reduce the supply of breastmilk. The ring sits high in your vagina for three weeks, then you remove it for one week so you have a regular monthly bleed.

The pill has two hormones that stop your ovaries from releasing an egg each month. Aside from preventing pregnancy, the pill may also reduce your bleeding each month, help with acne, and lessen premenstrual symptoms.

The combined pill is With typical use, it is slightly less effective. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:.