Your baby is finally here and you feel better and better every day. However, your sex drive is returning and you are getting excited about the question of when you and your partner can start being together again. Good news! Unless your doctor warns you otherwise, there is nothing wrong with resuming your sex life, and you can start researching birth control methods. However, you should be aware that you may not be able to fully enjoy it until the pain and fatigue are gone. You can use a lubricant gel for the first time. Because hormonal changes can make the vagina drier than usual.
When talking about sex, you should not forget about contraception and decide how to proceed with it. This may be the last thing on your mind after the birth, but many unplanned pregnancies happen in the first few months after the birth. You may want to postpone or prevent another pregnancy that you don’t feel ready for.
But when will you get your period again?
In the best case scenario, if you are still breastfeeding your baby, your period may start as early as six weeks after delivery. It is important to keep in mind that you can be pregnant up to 2 weeks before your period. This is because eggs are formed 2 weeks before your period. So you should start researching and even practicing contraceptive methods that are suitable for you 3 weeks or 21 days after delivery. Do not wait for your period to return for contraception. You may be pregnant in the meantime! Below are some examples of contraceptive methods, you can choose the one that suits you best:
Male or female condoms are among the birth control methods that you can start using as soon as you want. It is effective between – when used correctly.
Contraceptive implant – You can choose to use an implant no earlier than 3 weeks after delivery. Although it is one of the most effective forms of contraception, it does not protect you against sexually transmitted diseases. This is a very good method if you do not plan to have another baby in the next 3 years.
The contraceptive pill â If you are not breastfeeding your baby, you can start using this method only 3 weeks after giving birth. If you are breastfeeding a baby under six months old, taking the pill may reduce your milk flow. If you do not start taking the pill from the 21st day after delivery and choose not to take it after that, you must use one of the contraceptive methods as an additional contraceptive within 7 days. This method is effective in preventing pregnancy.
Vaginal ring and contraceptive patch â If you are not breastfeeding your baby, you can start using these two methods 3 weeks after giving birth. If you are breastfeeding, these methods may reduce your milk flow.
The progesterone contraceptive pill – This pill is more effective than . You can start taking it after the 21st day after delivery. This pill provides immediate protection against pregnancy. If you do not start taking the pill from the 21st day after delivery and do not choose to take it afterwards, you must use one of the contraceptive methods as an additional contraceptive within 2 days. . If you are breastfeeding your baby, these methods may reduce your milk flow.
Contraceptive pacemaker – You can have this pacemaker at any time after your delivery and then you will be happy to know that you are safe while breastfeeding. If you are breastfeeding your baby, it is recommended that you wait 6 weeks after the birth before using it. In addition, using this method will reduce your chances of irregular and heavy periods. This method of contraception is more effective than any other method of contraception and lasts for 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the type of needle. If you start the injections on or before the 21st day after your delivery, you will be protected against pregnancy that may occur soon after delivery, but if you start after the 21st day after delivery, you will need to use other forms of contraception for the first seven days.
Intrauterine device (spiral) or intrauterine system – both of these methods are more than effective and can be inserted within 4 to 6 weeks after delivery, sometimes even 48 hours after delivery. Both are safe to use while breastfeeding your child and do not affect your milk supply. You will need to use another method of contraception until you have an intrauterine system or intrauterine device or until the third week after delivery.
Diaphragm or (cervical) cap – When used in combination with spermicide, both methods prevent pregnancy in between. It is recommended to wait 6 weeks after delivery to use a diaphragm or cup. You may also need different sized diaphragms or cups.
Natural family planning â It is a method of following a woman’s menstrual calendar, mathematically calculating the time of ovulation by taking into account the longest and shortest menstrual periods, although if the instructions are followed properly, it can be more than effective, although estimates suggest that the actual effect is around u because of errors. In particular, it will be even more difficult to follow this method after childbirth, as your fertility indicators will drop, making follow-up more difficult. If you are breastfeeding, fertility indicators are often unreliable in the natural family planning method.
Breastfeeding â During breastfeeding, you will not have a period. You may choose to use the lactational amerone method (LAM), which is one of the recommended methods of contraception. This method is a natural contraceptive method that the body uses thanks to the physiological effects of breastfeeding when you are fully breastfeeding your baby and you are not menstruating. This method prevents pregnancy only if the following conditions are met:
- You must breastfeed your baby completely or almost completely, which means that the baby must receive breast milk and/or very little/minimal supplementary food.
- You must be fully menstruating (never menstruate).
- Your baby must be less than six months old.
You need to be careful during your first few sexual encounters. Give each other time to relax with your partner. If you or your partner have concerns, be open with each other and talk about them together.
For more information on postpartum contraception, your doctor or nurse will be happy to help you!