What natural contraception choices do I have after birthing?

Perhaps you conceived easily, your pregnancy was planned and everything went smoothly...

Or

Perhaps you were taken by complete surprise..

Or

It’s taken much time and many avenues for you to become pregnant...

Just as there are differences in becoming pregnant, women’s circumstances differ after birth... however, one similarity is that it’s a time when many women become concerned about what contraception to use whilst recovering and breastfeeding.

What contraceptive you choose will all depend on your own outlook and what you are happy with.

For instance if you are happy taking an oral contraceptive, this will need to start some 21 days after delivery or 6 weeks to 6 months after delivery if you’re breastfeeding. It’s best to seek medical advice for this whilst still pregnant.

Many couples choose to use barrier methods... such as condoms and diaphragms. If you haven’t used these methods before, it would be wise to seek assistance before birthing. Some new Mums have been allergic to particular substances, such as to the latex in condoms. So it’s good to explore and discuss with your GP, family planning clinic or natural fertility practitioner.

So what do we do when we want a natural contraceptive method?

LAM (Lactational Amenorrhea Method) which has been widely accepted as a natural family planning method both demands no abstinence and is completely working with nature. It is used as an introductory method for the postpartum period for the breastfeeding Mum who hesitates to use a hormonal or chemical method. It has the added benefit of encouraging optimal breastfeeding behaviour, providing support for the health of both the Mum and her baby.

It may seem like an old wives tale that breastfeeding can help prevent a pregnancy. It’s actually a well-tested modern method of contraception.

Since the 1970s it has been confirmed that women who fully breastfeed are less likely to experience a normal ovulation prior to the first menstrual-like bleed than are women who partially breastfeed their babies or who don’t breastfeed at all. (Different breastfeeding Mums will start to menstruate at different times after giving birth. For some breastfeeding Mums, their period returns as early as a few weeks after giving birth and for others it can take years. The time during which breastfeeding suppresses menstruation and fertility is called lactational amenorrhea).

There are three criteria that can be used to predict the turn of your fertility...

1. You are fully breastfeeding during the day and night. The baby gets only your milk
2. You have not started your periods. (Bleeding during the first 2 months is not a period. After 2 months, bleeding or spotting that lasts at least 2 days is a period)
3. The baby is younger than 6 months

If you answer NO to all the above three questions, then you meet the requirements for LAM.

Let’s confirm what ‘fully breastfeeding’ means...

• No regular use of formula, water juice or baby food
• The baby does not go longer than 6 hours without breastfeeding

If you miss a breastfeed?

• Mums who are sometimes away from their baby for up to 6 hours can replace one breastfeed with pumping or hand expression
• Mums who are often separated from their babies should not use LAM

LAM offers 98% protection from pregnancy for fully-breastfeeding women with no periods whose babies are younger than 6 months.

When looking to move onto other contraception that is free of hormones and chemicals, most couples will choose to move onto a Fertility Awareness model.

Yours in health and happiness

Sandy B Simmons

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