When you are pregnant, birth control is the furthest thing from your mind. Why worry about birth control? Isn’t it a little late for that? Well, actually this is the perfect time to start thinking about your options. At your postpartum visit, the doctor will most likely bring it up, so you want to be informed and prepared.
Oral contraceptives, such as the birth control pill, are the most common and well known form of birth control for most people. However, this is not the best choice if you are planning to breastfeed your baby. The hormones in the pill may cause a reduction in your milk supply.
A progesterone only “mini pill” is available. This is supposed to be safe for breastfeeding moms. However, some women still experience supply issues with this pill. You will probably be too busy and sleep deprived to remember to take it anyway. To be effective, the pill must be taken every day at the same time.
Barrier methods, such as condoms, diaphragms and spermicides, are better for breastfeeding moms. These are between 80 and 90% effective when used together. Another benefits is that a prescription or a visit to the doctor is not needed, except for fitting the diaphragm. You can purchase the other supplies in your local drug store.
Permanent methods of birth control are available for couples who have decided their family is complete. This includes vasectomy for the man or a tubal ligation for the woman. The surgery can be done just after the baby is born or later. For the man, a hospital visit is not required. A vasectomy can be done in the urologist’s office.
Natural Family Planning is a popular method of birth control for people who object to chemical forms of birth control or have religious reasons for not using them. Classes are often taught through churches. This subject is too lengthy to discuss here, so I will devote another blog to the topic later this week.
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