Sandyford are working closely alongside the maternity units of Greater Glasgow and Clyde to encourage the uptake of contraception after birth. If you are currently pregnant your midwife should discuss with you throughout your pregnancy which method you would like to use after you have given birth.
At the time of delivery you should be able to access nearly all methods of contraception for use when you go home. You will not be able to access the combined hormonal methods (combined pill/ patch/vaginal ring) through maternity, so please speak to your GP to request this. If you were not given a supply of your chosen method before you left the hospital please contact your GP for pill or the injection, or Sandyford for the implant or IUD (coil) details can be found on the contraception page.
On this page you will find information on:
Why is contraception after birth important
Does breastfeeding act as contraception?
Why is contraception after birth important?
Contraception is probably the last thing you think about when you’re pregnant, but it is important to think about it carefully now while you have time because you can get pregnant again as quickly as 3 weeks after your baby is born, even if you’re breastfeeding.
Research shows that it’s much safer and healthier, both for you and your next baby – to leave at least one year before getting pregnant again. This allows your body time to re-cover from the pregnancy and birth, to give your next baby the best possible start.
Staff in the hospital or community will make sure you can get your chosen method easily and quickly, to allow you to start it as soon as you have your baby.
Does breastfeeding act as contraception?
Breastfeeding is not the most reliable method of contraception. It typically fails for 24 in 100 people.
However, you are less likely to get pregnant if:
- Your baby is less than six months old and
- Your periods have not come back and
- You are fully breastfeeding day and night with no bottle feeds at all (i.e. every 4 hours during the day and 6 hours at night)
There are several effective contraceptive methods that are safe to use while you are breastfeeding.
Reviewing your options
There are lots of choices of contraception which you can start right after your baby is born. These include longer acting methods like the coil or implant. They are highly effective at preventing pregnancy and can be safely fitted immediately after birth, meaning fewer appointments afterwards and one less thing to think about.
Read this page to get more detailed information about each method and a better idea of what might suit you.
You can then discuss this further with your midwife during one of your antenatal visits.
Implant
The implant is a small rod, about the size of a matchstick that is inserted under the skin of your upper arm.
The implant releases a hormone called progestogen that stops the ovaries from releasing eggs and thickens the cervical mucus. This helps to block sperm from getting to the egg.
Non-urgent advice: Advantages
Fails for 1 in 2,000 individuals
Quick return to fertility when removed
May cause lighter or no bleeding
Suitable when breast feeding
Non-urgent advice: Disadvantages
How soon can I start?
It can be inserted immediately after having your baby – at home or in the maternity unit.
Advice following implant contraception fitting at the time of birth
An information leaflet on this can be found here.
Hormonal Intrauterine Device (IUD) ‘Hormonal coil’
The hormonal IUD is a T-shaped device that is placed inside your womb. It releases a small amount of a hormone called progesterone which keeps the lining of the womb thin and thickens the cervical mucus. This prevents the egg from implanting.
Non-urgent advice: Advantages
Fails for 1 in 200 individuals
Quick return to fertility when removed
Bleeding likely to be lighter, less frequent or stop altogether
Suitable when breastfeeding
Non-urgent advice: Disadvantages
Possible irregular bleeding for a few months
Risk of expulsion (falling out).
Slightly higher chance of this if IUD fitted shortly after birth
Rarely, there can be damage to the womb lining (perforation). Lower chance of this if IUD fitted shortly after birth
How soon can I start?
The hormonal IUD can be fitted at the time of birth (within the first 48 hours) or from 4 weeks after. It can be inserted at the time of a caesarean or vaginal birth.
Advice following intra-uterine contraception fitting at the time of birth
An information on this can be found here.
Copper Intrauterine Device (IUD) ‘Non-hormonal coil’
The copper IUD is a T-shaped device that is placed inside your womb and prevents sperm from reaching and fertilising an egg.
Non-urgent advice: Advantages
Fails for 1 in 200 individuals
No hormones
Will not change your usual period frequency
Quick return to fertility when removed
Suitable when breastfeeding
Non-urgent advice: Disadvantages
Possible irregular bleeding for a few months
Risk of expulsion (falling out). Slightly higher chance of this if IUD fitted shortly after birth
Rarely, there can be damage to the womb lining (perforation). Lower chance of this if IUD fitted shortly after birth
Your periods may become heavier and more painful
How soon can I start?
The copper IUD can be fitted at the time of birth (within the first 48 hours) or from 4 weeks after. It can be inserted at the time of a caesarean or vaginal birth.
Advice following intra-uterine contraception fitting at the time of birth
An information on this can be found here.
Injection
The injection contains progestogen, a hormone that prevents your ovaries from releasing eggs. It also thickens your cervical mucus, which helps to block sperm from getting to the egg.
Non-urgent advice: Advantages
Fails for 6 in 100 individuals
May have lighter or no bleeding
Suitable when breastfeeding
There is also an injection which you can give to yourself every 3 months – after some training from a healthcare professional
Non-urgent advice: Disadvantages
Possible irregular bleeding
Possible delay in getting pregnant again after stopping
How soon can I start?
Immediately after having your baby – at home or in the maternity unit.
Progestogen only pill (POP)
These pills contain the hormone progestogen and are taken every day. Most work by stopping the ovaries from releasing an egg, and thicken the cervical mucus to stop sperm reaching an egg.
Non-urgent advice: Advantages
You can quickly become pregnant after stopping the pill
Suitable when breastfeeding
May have lighter or no bleeding
Non-urgent advice: Disadvantages
Needs to be taken at the same time each day
How soon can I start?
Immediately after having your baby.
Combined hormonal contraception (CHC)
These methods include a pill, patch or vaginal ring. They contain two hormones, oestrogen & progestogen.
These work by stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg.
How soon can I start?
Should not be started within the first 3 to 6 weeks after having a baby due to the risk of blood clots in your lungs or legs. If you are breastfeeding, you should not start it before 6 weeks. You can use another suitable method in the meantime.
Female sterilisation
This involves an operation to block or remove the Fallopian tubes so that the egg and sperm cannot meet.
Non-urgent advice: Advantages
Fails for 1 in 200 individuals
No change to your periods
Non-urgent advice: Disadvantages
Possible higher failure rate if done during caesarean section
Surgical procedure with risk of complications
Requires a general anaesthetic
How soon can I start?
If you have a planned caesarean section, it may be possible to have this done at the same time. Otherwise you will need to be seen by a specialist after your baby is born to discuss and arrange the procedure. You can use another suitable method in the meantime. As this is a permanent method of contraception, you need to be absolutely sure you don’t want any more children.
Male sterilisation – vasectomy
Male sterilisation is a more effective and a simpler procedure than female sterilisation. It is usually a quick procedure performed under local anaesthetic which blocks the tubes that transport sperm. Discussion and referral can be made by your GP.
Non-urgent advice: Advantages
Fails for 1 in 2,000 individuals
Can be performed using local anaesthetic
Non-urgent advice: Disadvantages
Surgical procedure with risk of complications
Need to use reliable contraception for the first few months until the procedure has been confirmed as successful
How soon can I start?
You will need to be seen by a specialist to discuss and arrange the procedure. You can use another suitable method in the meantime. As this is a permanent method of contraception, you need to be absolutely sure you don’t want any more children.
Non-urgent advice: Where to learn more?
NHS Inform:
Sex and contraception after birth
Contraception Choices:
www.contraceptionchoices.org