Birth Control Options After Birth

During the postpartum period, it's natural to devote most of your attention to your newborn—but taking care of your own health is just as important, especially when considering if or when you want to become pregnant again.

Ovulation can happen as early as three weeks after childbirth, and it's possible to get pregnant even while breastfeeding or before you experience a period. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends waiting a minimum of 18 months before another pregnancy, and waiting 6 weeks for intercourse. Timing may vary based on delivery and recovery. Talk with your provider about contraception options during your 6-week postpartum checkup. Since every woman’s body and recovery are unique, understanding your family planning choices is an important part of supporting your overall well-being.

Good questions to ask yourself:

• How do you feel about your body and recovery right now?

• Are you emotionally ready for another pregnancy?

• When would you like to get pregnant again?

• What feels manageable for your family at this time?

• Do you want more children now, later, or not at all?

• Were your previous pregnancies complicated?

• Are you breastfeeding, and for how long?

• What birth control have you used in the past?

• What type of birth control fits best with your lifestyle and values?

• Do you prefer more natural family planning (NFP) methods, or other short term or long term options?

Experts recommend waiting at least 18 months before becoming pregnant again. This allows your body to:

• Rebuild nutrients and strength

• Support better outcomes for future babies

• Reduce risks of low birth weight and preterm labor

See our article on the different benefits that come from waiting 18+ months 

Birth Control Options After Birth

This is a deeply personal decision that depends on your preferences, breastfeeding goals, current health, and how soon you’re considering becoming pregnant again.

Breastfeeding Friendly Options 

1) Hormone-Free Methods

• Fertility Awareness/Cycle Tracking: can work if cycles are regular (often not reliable right away postpartum), likely not recommended until your cycle returns

• Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM): not very reliable, but an option worth mentioning if baby is under 6 months and you are exclusively breastfeeding and your period hasn’t returned

• Condoms-barrier method: safe at any stage of postpartum, protects against sexually transmitted infections

• Copper IUD (Paragard): placed usually at or after 6 weeks postpartum, another option is placement immediately post placental delivery, but it does increase the risk of expulsion

• Diaphragm: silicone, dome-shaped cup placed in the vagina with spermicide before sex to cover the cervix, comes in different shapes and brands, requires remaining in place for 6 hours after intercourse, can remain in place up to 24 hours

• Cervical Cap: soft silicone cup placed over the cervix before sex, comes in 3 sizes, use with spermicide, requires remaining in place for 6 hours after intercourse, associated with fewer urinary tract infections compared to diaphragms, can remain in place up to 48 hours

• Vaginal pH modulator gel: contains lactic acid, citric acid, potassium bitartrate to maintain vaginal acidity impairing sperm motility, apply vaginally immediately before or up to one hour before intercourse, can be used with most other contraceptive methods, avoid with vaginal rings, does not protect against sexually transmitted infections

2) Hormonal Options

• Mini pill (progestin only): safe while breastfeeding, must take this pill at the same time every day

• Hormonal IUD: low maintenance, requires a procedure inserted at or after 6 weeks, another option is placement immediately post placental delivery, but does increase risk of expulsion

  • Skyla: lasts 3 years

  • Kyleena: lasts 5 years

  • Mirena: lasts 8 years

  • Liletta: lasts 8 years

• Nexplanon: tiny rod placed in the inner arm, protects against pregnancy up to 5 years

• Depo-Provera Injection: lasts 3 months per shot

3) Permanent Options When Your Family Feels Complete

• Tubal ligation (female sterilization): best if you’re certain you do not want more children

• Vasectomy (male sterilization): low risk procedure for your partner, very effective

4) Other Options  If not breastfeeding, after 1 month post-delivery, and no additional risk factors for blood clots.

• Combined birth control pills: A wide range of different formulations of estrogen and progesterone are available. Talk to your provider for best options.

• Vaginal Ring: A flexible ring placed in the vagina for 3 weeks, then taken out for 1 week monthly.

• Patch: Sticky patch worn on the skin to prevent pregnancy. Apply the patch once a week for three weeks, then skip the fourth week, which allows menstruation to begin. 

It’s Okay to Be Unsure

This information is here to help you feel empowered to know all your options. Not everyone knows right away if or even when they want more children and that is very normal. You can take your time and discuss these options with your partner so you’re on the same page. Many people choose a short-term method while they figure it out. See our Guide to Birth Control article for more in depth descriptions of birth control options.

Disclaimer: The information on Mone does not replace professional medical assessment, diagnosis, treatment, or advice. Please seek medical advice from your physician or other qualified health care providers.