7 choices of contraception for nursing mothers

You may have heard the statement that breastfeeding can act as a contraceptive to prevent pregnancy. This statement is not entirely true. Indeed, only mothers who practice exclusive breastfeeding, can reduce their potential for pregnancy during breastfeeding.

You can use breastfeeding as an option for family planning. However, this method is effective only six months after giving birth. How can you use breastfeeding to reduce the risk of pregnancy?

Breastfeeding as a substitute for contraception
For the breastfeeding method to be effective, you must breastfeed at least every four hours a day, six hours a night, without taking additional supplements. This means that the baby does not receive anything other than breast milk.

Nursing mothers may not be aware of ovulation after giving birth. Thus, the return of menstruation has not been anticipated. Therefore, there is still the potential for pregnancy during breastfeeding. If you are not ready for the next pregnancy, you are advised to take a family planning program.

Family planning tool for nursing mothers
Some hormones in birth control pills, such as estrogen, can affect milk production. Therefore, consult your midwife or doctor before choosing contraception. Here are some contraceptive options that you can consider.
 
1. Intrauterine Device (IUD) / KB Spiral

The IUD, or better known as a spiral birth control is a long-term contraception. Designed in spirals of up to 3 cm, the IUD uses T-shaped plastic material, which is not harmful to the body. IUD inhibits and prevents spermatozoa from gathering with eggs, so fertilization does not occur.

Spiral contraception is considered 99% effective in preventing pregnancy for up to ten years. In addition, this tool can be removed at any time, when you change your mind and want a pregnancy. However, this tool is also vulnerable to infection because it is a foreign object that is inserted into the body.

Users of spiral contraception can also cause side effects such as stomach cramps, bleeding and pressure loss. These side effects can occur during six months of contraception. Therefore, it is advisable to carry out routine checks if you use contraception during breastfeeding.

2. Progestin-only pills (mini-pills)

Traditional contraceptive pills are made from a combination of estrogen and progestin. For nursing mothers, this pill can have side effects in the form of a decrease in the amount of breast milk and duration of breastfeeding. To avoid this, you can choose progestin contraceptive pills or mini pills, which are very effective and safe for nursing mothers.

This mini pill works by thickening the cervical mucus so that sperm cannot enter the fallopian tubes. One pack of progestin contraceptive pills consists of only 28 pills, which you must take at the same time every day.

The aim is to suppress ovulation in the menstrual cycle during breastfeeding. If you miss a single program, the risk of pregnancy increases or returns to fertility within 24 hours.

3. external contraception

External contraception or protection as a family planning option for nursing mothers who will not interfere with the performance or distribution of breast milk include:

Condoms, for men and women
Sponge or diaphragm

The above products are usually available for free on the market or at a pharmacy. Use as indicated for the prevention of successful pregnancies between 60 and 98%.

4. KB implants

This contraception comes in the form of small plastic tubes containing progestogen hormones. With an effectiveness rate of up to 99%, this tube will be inserted into the skin of the upper arm and last up to three to four years.

The hormone content is used to prevent the release of eggs, to thicken the cervical mucus and to prevent sperm from reaching the egg. Implants can be placed after delivery and released when the mother wants to get pregnant again.

5. KB injection

KB injection or depo provera is a contraceptive method made by injecting the hormone progestin, to prevent pregnancy. These injections last for up to three months and must be repeated for their effectiveness to reach 97%.

This method of contraception has several side effects, such as headaches, stomach aches and weight gain. When you follow this method, you can return to fertility in ten months or more.

6. KB Calendar

Calendar contraception is a natural contraceptive method based on the calculation of the menstrual cycle of nursing mothers. You should really pay attention to the menstrual cycle, as well as some signs that are felt by the body.

For example, the temperature during ovulation, vaginal mucus and other symptoms of ovulation. The effectiveness of this method is around 76% for avoiding pregnancy or less than other methods if you don't calculate a schedule consistently. In addition, this natural contraceptive method is less suitable for women with irregular menstrual cycles.
 
7. Sterilization

Sterilization is a permanent method of contraception to prevent pregnancy. In this method, nursing mothers must undergo surgical removal of the fallopian tubes. So, anesthesia has side effects such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, etc.

This permanent family planning option is recommended for couples who no longer want offspring.

Usually, doctors advise mothers not to have sex until six weeks after giving birth. Therefore, you may not need contraception before the age of six weeks.

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