Sandyford are working closely with NHSGGC Women and Children’s Directorate to achieve the Womens’ Health Plan goal of providing postpartum contraception to all women.
Women should be able to access the mini pill, injection or implant on the postnatal ward prior to discharge. Due to CoSRH UK Medical Eligibility Criteria guidance stating combined hormonal methods should not be initiated immediately postpartum these methods are not available on the postnatal ward.
Women can opt to have an IUD fitted at the time of a Caesarean birth. We hope in 2026 women will also be able to have this fitted post vaginal delivery. All women who have an IUD fitted immediately post birth are referred to Sandyford – we text them approximately 1 month post delivery to offer them an appointment at Sandyford Central for an IUD check. This is done as IUDs fitted in this circumstance have a higher than normal rate of expulsion, and the IUD threads often need trimmed.
If your patient has not been contacted by us you can email ggc.postpartum.referrals@nhs.scot to check on the referral status.
Advice for patients’ following implant contraception fitting.
Advice for patients’ following intra-uterine contraception fitting at the time of birth.
Further information and a video to share with patients is available on the public Contraception after having a baby .