When you need to protect yourself after childbirth. Hormonal intrauterine system

After the baby is born, a woman needs to restore strength. At this time, it is important to be safe from the onset of pregnancy in order to give the body the opportunity to return to normal and take time to raise a child. Gynecologists advise that the break between pregnancies be at least 3 years. So, what method of contraception to choose?

The Importance of Postpartum Contraception

Today one cannot rely on the assurances of grandmothers and mothers that pregnancy cannot occur during the period. Breastfeeding only temporarily weakens the ability to conceive, but does not completely eliminate it. Therefore, a new ovulation after childbirth is quite possible. No need to postpone the issue of choosing a contraceptive for later. After all, such a delay can turn into another pregnancy. And oh, how undesirable!

The uterus in the first month after birth will contract and take on its previous shape. The ovaries will resume the traditional cycle of producing female hormones that are needed for conception.

In women who are not breastfeeding, menstruation is restored 2-3 months after the birth of the baby. But it happens that this happens before - after 4-6 weeks. This means that the egg maturation occurred 2 weeks ago - and the female body is ready for a new pregnancy.

If a young mother feeds her baby or skips nightly feeding, then her menstrual cycle is restored faster. This explains the fact that contraception is unreliable by breastfeeding (lactational amenorrhea).

Postpartum birth control methods

You should consult with a gynecologist, which method of protection from unwanted pregnancy out of many possible will suit you. And there is always something to choose from:

1. Natural methods. These include basal temperature measurement and a calendar method. It is important not to use them until the menstrual cycle is fully restored. After all, without this, it is simply impossible to calculate the period of onset of ovulation. Basal body temperature should be measured daily, however, baby’s night feeds affect this temperature and measurements may not be entirely reliable. The calendar method has also never been very reliable. Even with a regular cycle, it cannot be considered effective.
2. Vasectomy, i.e. male sterilization. It can be done to a man at any time. However, which man voluntarily agree to this? The method is acceptable for those couples and men who are sure that they no longer want to have children. In addition, it must be taken into account that this method is irreversible.
3. Female sterilization, that is, tubal occlusion, is the most effective method of contraception. It is irreversible, performed for women over 35 years old or for medical reasons. This method cannot be applied under the influence of emotional stress.
4. Barrier methods. Such methods are the most common among couples. The diaphragm, cap or condom does not affect breastfeeding. The size of the diaphragm and cap should be clarified, since the one that was before childbirth may change after them. The diaphragm can be used only 6 weeks after birth. Condoms are perhaps the simplest method of barrier contraception.

Postpartum contraceptives

1. Intrauterine. These funds do not affect breastfeeding. They are acceptable during lactation, because they are very reliable. In uncomplicated labor, an intrauterine device can be administered in the postpartum period. The optimal time is 6 weeks after delivery. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are inserted by a gynecologist in the absence of contraindications, in particular inflammatory processes, erosion.
2. Combined oral contraceptives. Their nursing mothers can not be used! These funds reduce the amount of breast milk, affect the normal development of the baby. Lactating mothers can start taking tablets only after cessation of feeding. If a woman does not breast-feed her baby, then these contraceptives can be used 3 weeks after the baby is born.
3. Progestin contraceptives. Progestin-based drugs for breastfeeding do not affect the duration of lactation either. They do not harm the child’s health. They are the most convenient form of protection from a desired pregnancy. It is recommended to start taking pills 1.5 months after delivery to lactating mothers, and not to lactating mothers from the fourth week after them.

Before using this or that method of contraception after childbirth, always consult with the gynecologist who guided you during pregnancy. He will advise you on the most optimal method or contraception, based on the characteristics of your body and the state of the female reproductive system.

The period after childbirth, when a woman breastfeeds her baby, is called lactational amenorrhea. This is a natural physiological method of contraception, therefore it is considered the safest.

However, it is effective only if the woman breast-feeds the child exclusively, and the baby asks her no less 5-6   once a day.

As soon as the child is 6 months old, this method becomes ineffective and requires additional means of protection against unwanted pregnancy.

Contraception after childbirth is necessary, because the female body needs at least a year to recover and a new pregnancy.

When can I start having sex?

Immediately after giving birth, a woman begins bleeding, which can last about a month. During this period, sexual relations should be completely excluded.

• Firstly, a woman may be painful of any movement in the vagina, she often has crotch tears during childbirth, and the vagina is stretched to such a size that the penis in it is simply lost.
• Secondlyhormonal background, in particular, the hormone prolactin, is focused on the production of milk, and this reduces the level of lubrication for the production of which estrogen is responsible. It also affects the female libido, which in the postpartum period fluctuates at zero level.

I don’t want sex, frictions instead of pleasure bring continuous pain, as if the penis was covered with sandpaper.

• BUT thirdbleeding increases the risk of infection. The internal surface of the uterus after separation of the placenta is covered with numerous injuries, and their healing takes 4-6   weeks.

Do not forget about psychological problems.

During the gestation period, a woman can gain 20-30 extra pounds, and during lactation it is almost impossible to get rid of them.

In addition, the young mother has absolutely no time left for herself, she feels unattractive, fat, and this does not contribute to increasing her libido. A man after a long abstinence can insist on intimacy, not understanding his wife’s excuses. Such behavior can provoke a postpartum depression in a woman, which occurs against the background of hormonal changes and is aggravated by psychological problems.

Output: Ideally, you can start sexual activity not earlier than a month after childbirth, and preferably after a month and a half.

When can I get pregnant again?

There is an opinion that from the moment of termination of postpartum hemorrhage to the onset of the first menstruation, conception in a nursing mother should not occur due to lactational amenorrhea. And, thanks to breast milk, this period can be extended by almost a few years. This is actually not the case.

Pregnancy can occur just two weeks before the onset of the first postpartum menstruation, and a woman can only learn about the possibility of conception by measuring basal temperature in the morning. Her increase indicates ovulation.

However, an irregular day, fatigue and constant care for the baby prevent a woman from monitoring changes in her body. Therefore, if a woman does not plan to give birth to a second child after the first, if she has had a cesarean section, if she is weak and does not feel well, she should take care of additional contraception, and not rely on the methods of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers who lived in other environmental conditions and did not experience so much stress.

In principle, a healthy woman may well become pregnant and a month after giving birth, if everything went well, she feeds the newborn not only with breast milk, and she has stopped postpartum bleeding.

In general, doctors advise you to wait at least six months.

During this period, all internal microtraumas will heal, the woman will get stronger and recover for new gestation, and the older baby will not have a large need for breast milk. However, any hormonal imbalance can prevent pregnancy. And, even if a woman wants to achieve a new conception, violations in the work of the hypothalamus will not allow her to carry out her plan.

Can I get pregnant while breastfeeding?

From time immemorial, compulsory breastfeeding was considered the most effective way to protect against pregnancy. This condition of the female body is called lactational amenorrhea.

Lactational amenorrhea is that prolactin, secreted during the period of active breastfeeding, blocks the production of the hormone estrogen, which stimulates ovulation and, accordingly, in this case, conception cannot occur.

The slightest decrease in the frequency of feeding leads to a decrease in the level of prolactin, and, therefore, increases the possibility of a new pregnancy.

It should be borne in mind that the woman should completely exclude sexual relations the first six weeks after giving birth.

It turns out that using the natural method of contraception in the postpartum period can be no more than 5 months, until menstruation is restored.

In any case, the time will come when you will again need to think about additional methods of contraception.

What contraception methods are suitable for me if I breastfeed

Hormonal fluctuations in a woman’s body significantly reduce the effectiveness of other natural methods of protection against unwanted pregnancy. Hence, the method of measuring basal temperature, the calendar method, changes in the composition of cervical mucus can be considered ineffective.

Barrier methods of contraception are the safest and most effective for nursing mothers.

However, a cap, condom or diaphragm can only be used at the end of the postpartum period, which lasts approximately 1.5 months after delivery. Only then does the uterus and vagina get their previous sizes.

The advantage of barrier methods of contraception is that they can be applied as needed. And the inconvenience is that you will have to prepare for the sexual intercourse almost in half a day. There can be no talk of spontaneity and playfulness. But the effectiveness of the barrier method is quite high. The use of spermicides (creams, gels, sponges, suppositories that kill sperm) additionally protects against sexually transmitted infections.

A condom (male and female) is almost 100% effective, but a woman has a vaginal dryness and an allergic reaction to latex during lactation, so it can only be used in tandem with lubricants and lubricants.

An intrauterine device is the most reliable method of contraception for both lactating and non-lactating women. Its effectiveness reaches 99%.

There are hormone-containing intrauterine devices, for example, Mirena, which in small doses secrete the hormone levonorgestrel.

You can enter the spiral no earlier than 1.5 months after the usual birth and no earlier than 6 months after cesarean section.

As for hormonal drugs, lactating women should immediately abandon the combined drugs, and it is better to prefer contraceptives containing the hormones gestagen and progestin.

They do not affect the composition and quality of breast milk, and hormones will not affect the health of the mother. Contraceptive properties of hormones reach 99% but there are significant drawbacks.

Tablets must be taken daily at the same time, and any deviation from the schedule can negate the entire contraceptive effect.

And the newly made mother, in connection with taking care of the baby, does not even have a normal meal. Therefore, when taking hormonal contraceptives, you need to set an alarm on the phone, reminiscent of taking pills daily at the same time.

Another disadvantage is the incompatibility of hormonal contraceptives with antibiotics, as well as a side effect in the form of vaginal discharge and a menstrual cycle failure. In general, hormonal contraception should only be prescribed by a doctor.

Forget about contraception

The safest and most effective method of protection against unwanted pregnancy is the installation of an intrauterine device. Moreover, it is suitable for both non-nursing and nursing mothers. In the latter case, a woman may experience some discomfort in the lower abdomen, as the uterus contracts slightly during breastfeeding. Some IUDs, such as Mirena, contain the hormone progestin, which is released slowly over the course of the year and blocks the attachment of the fertilized egg to the walls of the uterus.

In general, the spiral is practically safe, and it is installed a month and a half after the birth.

Can I use emergency contraception after giving birth?

Emergency contraception differs from regular hormonal contraception in an increased hormone content. For example, Postinor, the most common “emergency” remedy, contains a huge amount of the hormone levonorgestrel, so that the egg does not exit the ovary, and the fertilized can not attach to the wall of the uterus.

A woman after childbirth experiences a real hormonal storm, and an extra dose of hormones can cause a serious malfunction in the body.

The menstrual cycle that has not yet been debugged can move, and in special cases (with the wrong pill or dosage), taking Postinor during lactation will stop the formation of milk or even lead to the appearance of any gynecological pathology.

The same applies to all emergency contraception drugs: Escapela, Ginepriston, Zhenale and others.

Output: In general, radical methods of protection in the first year after childbirth should be abandoned.

If the woman who gave birth takes care of her health and the health of her baby, then contraception after childbirth should be selected carefully and seriously. You can't relate to this on Maybe, because an unplanned pregnancy in a woman who has not recovered after the birth of the baby will lead to the birth of a premature or weakened baby. Conception immediately after cesarean section is fraught with terrible consequences. Better complete abstinence than long-term treatment. Indeed, an abortion for a woman who has recently given birth is actually a sentence for her reproductive system.

Postpartum contraception must be selected especially carefully. After all, there are a huge number of restrictions and contraindications that must be taken into account. After all, a woman who has just given birth is also a nursing mother. Therefore, the choice of contraceptives must be consistent with lactation.

Think about contraception immediately after birth. Indeed, the possibility of conception is returned to everyone in different ways, and there are many cases when a woman is pregnant again only a month after the birth of the child.

The main danger in the position of the young mother is that the restoration of the cycle for her occurs imperceptibly. Do not track ovulation unless you deal with this issue. But you can get pregnant quite easily. Most women after the first ovulation are usually not, but there are exceptions, and they are not so rare. Therefore, it is necessary to correctly select contraceptives.

According to WHO, protection must begin no later than 3 weeks after birth. Just during this period, the prohibitions of doctors on sexual activity are also lifted.

The number of methods of protection against pregnancy in the postpartum period is not so small. You can choose from any list that suits you.

For example, abstinence, i.e. abstinence. This method gives a 100% guarantee. However, it is not suitable for all couples.

Often, young mothers rely on the method of lactational amenorrhea. It is based on the fact that after childbirth, the woman’s body produces the hormone prolactin, which is necessary for the production of milk. This hormone suppresses ovulation, resulting in a temporary inability to conceive. However, for this method to work (and not for everyone), a number of parameters must be observed very clearly. This is the age of the child (he must be no older than 6 months) and the number of attachments to the chest (at least every 3 hours, including night). Attachments are important because additional production of prolactin depends on the sucking of the child. This method has its advantages - it is simple to execute and not dangerous. In addition, it does not affect sexual intercourse.

Hormonal protective equipment is also allowed as a means of protection. Only these should be special preparations. Those that women usually use are not suitable for young mothers. So, for example, the use of oral contraceptives or, simply put, tablets is allowed. These drugs are called mini-drank. They are hormonal tablets with a low dose of hormones in the composition, due to which they are not dangerous to the health of the child. The principle of their action is to increase the viscosity of mucus in the cervical region, which complicates the penetration of sperm. In addition, they help to change the structure of the uterine mucosa, due to which implantation of a fertilized egg cannot occur. The only thing is that you must very clearly follow the instructions for using these drugs - you need to take them strictly by the hour, without missing or shifting the time of admission. Only a doctor can prescribe such drugs.

You can use such a method of protection in the postpartum period, as an intrauterine device. It can be put to those women who have a history of uncomplicated childbirth. Moreover, it can be installed immediately after them. However, the optimal time for its installation is 6 weeks after the birth of the baby, because the probability of spiral falling is reduced. The advantage of this method is that it has a long-playing action, i.e. one spiral protects for about 5 years.

Various barrier methods are also widely used. For example, the use of a condom. It is a safe tool and is suitable for starting sexual activity immediately after childbirth. However, there are drawbacks - condoms can tear and fall. To reduce the risk of this, it is recommended to additionally use lubricants. Best of all, those that are water-based - they do not irritate the delicate mucous membranes.

You can use special caps to protect against unwanted pregnancy. They are installed 4 weeks after birth, when the cervix is \u200b\u200bfully restored. However, it is worth remembering that only a physician can choose the right cap and learn how to handle it.

Using spermicides is another way to prevent an unwanted pregnancy in the postpartum period. It can be creams, candles, ointments, etc. Such substances destroy sperm at the cellular level, as a result of which they either die or lose their mobility.

The sexuality of a young mother is undeniable. After all, a woman who has given birth blooms with new beauty. The first sex after childbirth should be gentle, affectionate and protected. Love and attention are the key to a harmonious family and the birth of desired children.

Today, gynecologists strongly advise young mothers to pay special attention to contraception after childbirth. This is due to the fact that for the full recovery of the female body, it is necessary to wait a period between pregnancies of at least 2 years. However, the usual contraceptives are not suitable for a nursing mother, because they can negatively affect the quantity and quality of milk, as well as the development of the baby. How to protect yourself after childbirth, so as not to worry about re-pregnancy.

When a woman can get pregnant

The ability to have a new conception after childbirth occurs individually for each mother. There are several key factors that affect the restoration of fertility. First of all, this is lactation. Breastfeeding is not a reliable method of contraception.   Many women are confident that a new pregnancy is not possible during lactation. Doctors say that this theory holds true, but only if the baby is fed properly.

The opportunity to get pregnant returns to the woman immediately before the arrival of the first menstruation after childbirth. This period is also individual. Nursing mothers will be able to become pregnant again much later than those who do not breast-feed. Ovulation on average occurs between 40 and 90 days after birth, however, there are times when this process occurs much earlier.

Pregnancy after childbirth is always a surprise. A woman may not suspect fertilization, because there are no menstruation, which means that everything is normal, they think. So the weather kids are born. In our country, such cases are far from uncommon and, according to experts, 90% of them are the result of a lack of basic knowledge and neglect of women. Such pregnancies often end in abortion, which has an extremely negative effect on the body of a young mother that has not yet been strengthened.

Lochia or menstruation

How to distinguish physiological postpartum hemorrhage from menstruation? Usually, all the discharge that is observed in women during the first 2 months after birth is postpartum lochia. However, provided that there is no breastfeeding, menstruation can resume earlier than this period. Also, menstruation can come early and due to the individual characteristics of the body.

You need to see a doctor if: scanty postpartum discharge has suddenly become more abundant, bleeding has resumed after the cessation of suckers.

In case of any suspicion of the resumption of menstruation earlier than 2 months after birth, you need to visit a gynecologist. The doctor will conduct an examination and determine the nature of the discharge.

Features of breastfeeding during pregnancy

When to start protecting yourself

According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, contraception should be started by mother 3 weeks after the birth. Of course, the risk of pregnancy during this period is extremely small, but there are exceptions. If you are not planning a second pregnancy, it is better to protect yourself from accidents.

Lactation and pregnancy

Many women are confident that pregnancy cannot occur during the entire duration of breastfeeding. This opinion is erroneous. Lactation can really postpone the onset of ovulation, but only for 6 months and with strict adherence to certain feeding rules. These rules include:

• Feeding on demand.
• Feeding at night.
• Refusal of bottles and a nipple.
• Refusal of feeding.
• Refusal of soldering.

However, even with all the rules, breastfeeding cannot be considered a 100% contraceptive method in the postpartum period.

Protection Choice

Abstinence method. This method is a 100% guarantee of the absence of fertilization. However, the period of compulsory sexual abstinence usually does not exceed 2 months after childbirth, and then you need to think about protective methods of contraception. The most popular methods of contraception are barrier, oral and intrauterine.

Progestin-based oral contraceptives

Oral contraception for many women is a common method of pregnancy protection. However, in the postpartum period, not all drugs may be suitable for a young mother. Today, after birth, it is recommended to choose tablets containing the minimum amount of hormones. The active ingredient in such drugs are progestins.

The action of the tablets is based on a structural change in the uterine mucosa. The surface after taking the tablets becomes viscous and impassable for sperm. These drugs have good efficacy on condition of breastfeeding and regular intake of pills.

These drugs are a new generation of drugs and do not affect the quality and quantity of milk in a nursing woman.

Also, drugs do not cause harmful effects on the health of the baby.

The disadvantages of the method:

• The need for regular admission.
• Possibility of breaking the cycle.
• Decrease in effect when taking a number of drugs.
• The ability to conceive returns immediately after skipping medication.

Combined oral medication

These drugs contain 2 types of hormones - estrogen and progesterone. Such pills are highly effective and are often used as contraceptives by women of our country. However, they are only good if you do not breast-feed your baby.

Combined drugs reduce the work of the mammary glands, can penetrate into milk, and therefore into the body of the child.

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Hormone injections

As in the case of oral contraceptives, the effect of injections is based on the introduction of certain hormones that prevent ovulation and fertilization. The action of the injection can range from 12 weeks to five years, depending on the form and composition of the drug. For women who are breastfeeding, only progestin-only injections are suitable. The disadvantages of progestin-based injection protection are the same as tablets.

Intrauterine method

Even with modern oral contraceptives, this method is still the most reliable. It is often recommended for women in the postpartum period. The spiral does not affect the secretion and quality of milk, reliably protects from conception and has a long service life.

Among the shortcomings, one can distinguish more abundant periods at first, as well as pulling sensations in the early postpartum period.

The spiral can be installed immediately after birth (if there are no contraindications), or 3-5 weeks after the birth of the baby.
  An intrauterine device should only be inserted and removed by a doctor.

Barrier method

For many, the barrier method is the most convenient. It really can protect not only from pregnancy, but also from the transmission of infectious diseases. This method has absolutely no effect on the secretion and quality of milk and has an almost 100% contraceptive effect. Barrier methods include condoms and diaphragms.

The disadvantages of condoms include the inconvenience of dressing during sexual intercourse and the possibility of damage to the condom if the instructions are not followed.

The diaphragm also has several disadvantages. So, for example, the size of the cap should be selected by the doctor. Use only in combination with sperm-destroying substances. Strict adherence to the instructions for insertion and removal of the cap.

Spermicide use

Spermicides include suppositories, intrauterine tablets, and creams that destroy sperm in the vagina. The method is quite effective and easy to use. Additional benefits include providing additional lubrication. Of the shortcomings - the cost of drugs.

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Interruption of sexual intercourse

According to the research results, this method is not reliable. The fact is that sperm can enter the vagina not only with a man's orgasm, but also before it occurs. This means that using this method is similar to playing Russian roulette, and it is based only on luck.

The calendar

Many women calculate dangerous days according to the calendar and thus can plan their sex life without worrying about pregnancy. However, in the postpartum period, this method may fail.

After childbirth, there is no regularity of menstruation, and ovulation may not occur according to the scenario.

As a result, fertilization can occur on any day, and a woman will invariably face the solution of the difficult issue of repeated birth or termination of pregnancy.

Sterilization

This procedure is irreversible and gives a 100% guarantee of the absence of pregnancy. Today, doctors perform this operation only in case of medical indications or for women after 35 years old, if she already has at least 2 children. The operation can be performed both for a woman and a man. However, according to statistics, the male sex is going to this extreme measure much less often.

Before deciding on irreversible contraception, you must carefully weigh the pros and cons so as not to regret the lost function of procreation.

Today, there are frequent cases when children in the family appear due to the carelessness of their parents. According to experts, it is these families that most often encounter disagreements during a woman’s pregnancy and in the postpartum period. Such couples are often divorced. This is due to the unwillingness of the couple to become full parents. An accidental pregnancy can also be the root cause of the development of postpartum pregnancy in women. Plan your family wisely, and then your children will be welcome and happy.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, situations when a woman finds out about a new pregnancy soon after giving birth are not so rare, judging by the numerous branches on all kinds of “mom” forums. This happens for the reason that many nursing mothers naively believe that pregnancy is impossible during lactation. And to be protected if you are breastfeeding is not necessary at all. This is not true. How to protect yourself after childbirth so that Kinder does not come as a surprise?

Read this article

Changes in a woman’s body

During pregnancy, the body has one hormonal background, after childbirth - another. All systems of the female body begin to recover. And by six months (or even earlier), even if the new-born mother supports breastfeeding, the reproductive system is already capable of another conception.

A few weeks after birth (usually seven to eight), lining the uterus from the inside. Six weeks later, nearly twenty percent of young mothers among non-breastfeeding women and five percent among those who feed, have their first postpartum ovulation. The egg leaves the ovary and the chances of getting pregnant again become high. At the same time, the presence of menstruation is a completely optional condition.

Prolactin help

The hope of the majority of women is based on the belief in breastfeeding: during the hepatitis B prolactin is actively produced. A hormone that blocks ovarian maturation. In order for this method to work for all 100, you need to follow certain requirements. One of which is feeding over fifteen times a day. Including at night. In a situation where feeding will be replaced by drinking water, complementary foods, a mixture and other “surrogates”, a young mother cannot count on the help of lactation as a natural contraception. This is especially true for those mothers who before pregnancy experienced an irregular cycle or gynecological diseases.

Lactational amenorrhea is a completely “working” method, but, as practice shows, is difficult to implement. Especially in our time, when mothers often refuse long-term HB in favor of bottles and mixtures.

By the way, if there is a preference for this method of "contraception", you should think about the fact that it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.

Contraceptive methods

What is the best way to protect yourself after childbirth? Nursing mothers who are habitual for many contraceptives are prohibited for obvious reasons. There are several options left:

• barrier contraception;
• cream (spermicides);
• preparations containing a minimum of hormones (tablets for nursing mothers, low hormone implants and injections are suitable).

We’ll make a reservation right away: a visit to a doctor is indispensable. This is because it is impossible to know exactly when the cycle will resume. This means that you can become pregnant during lactation very unexpectedly. Moreover, do not guess about it. Given that menstruation never happened.

Increase reliability

  Barrier contraceptive methods for women

Doctors advise all nursing mothers barrier contraception as a means of better protection from childbirth. Condoms, cervical caps and diaphragms (female condoms) - this option is not the best for those who are not enthusiastic about "protected" sex, which, coupled with stretched vaginal muscles, "steals" all the pleasant sensations. In addition, an allergy to latex in some cases has not been canceled.

"Female condoms" are selected at a specialist appointment. Aperture set for several weeks. A woman can insert a cap just before sexual intercourse. This method of protection is very comfortable for women who are breastfeeding. The first 6 months of caps and "prolactin" natural support can be a great way to protect.

If a woman used this method before the birth of the baby, you should definitely visit a doctor so that he picks up a new cap size. It is logical that after carrying a child and childbirth, the volume of the uterus has become different.

A bit about spermicides

How to protect yourself from lactation? There is where to roam. Vaginal suppositories, all kinds of gels, tablets and creams not only protect against unwanted pregnancy, but also do not penetrate into milk. Give preference to proven brands - “Erotex”, “Pharmatex” or “Patentex Oval”. They are based on benzalkonium hydrochloride molecules that actively "decapitate" sperm.

The effectiveness of these contraceptive substances is not a concern. But, applying them, it is necessary to adhere to the rules regulated by the manufacturer. Otherwise, there is a risk of "missing the moment."

Rules for the use of spermicides:

• You can wash yourself with clean water only. Attention: without soap!
• A cream or gel (candle, tablet) must be administered strictly at the time allotted by the manufacturer before contact. This is usually done five to ten minutes before proximity.
• Remember: one tablet or candle is designed for only one contact.

Spirals as a method of contraception

During feeding, one of the most popular methods is the use of a non-hormonal intrauterine device. The effectiveness of this method varies from 85 to 95 percent. However, for the introduction of the IUD there are contraindications, so before installing it, it is worth examining after childbirth.

Hormonal drugs: pros and cons

It has long been debunked the myth that during breastfeeding it is forbidden to be protected by the usual contraceptives. Just pills should be "right" and not contain estrogen. It has been proven that female sex hormones affect the amount of milk. How to protect yourself after childbirth so that “one does not interfere with the other”? It has long been invented the so-called "mini-drank." Of course, they need to be selected with the help of a doctor. At the heart of the pills allowed to young mothers is a progestogen. It does not fall into the "milk rivers" and perfectly protects against unexpected pregnancy. These drugs have one drawback - they should be taken literally in minutes.

What you need to do when choosing this method of contraception: put a reminder on your phone or set an alarm. This is the only way to be sure that precious minutes of admission have not been missed.

As for effectiveness, these pills cannot be considered as reliable as regular hormone pills. Therefore, during their use, it is best to use additional methods of protection (for example, barrier). And as soon as the hepatitis B is completed, switch to COCs (combined oral contraceptives).

Hormonal implants and injections

There are hormonal implants that are sutured under the skin. Their feature is that the action lasts about five years. There are no estrogens in the composition, which means that this method is quite suitable for a newly-born mother.

How does this happen? A capsule or plate containing hormones is sutured under the skin. Every day, a fraction of the drug is released into the bloodstream, which protects against unwanted pregnancy.

Injections have a shorter effect - only up to three months the effect lasts. Such measures are considered quite radical. After all, one injection, in fact, causes a “temporary menopause” in the body (with “bonuses” in the form of a lack of menstruation and ovulation). How the reproductive system will respond to such experiments is another question. In any case, these techniques are from the category of prohibited until it is planned to give birth yet. IUDs with hormones

This method of protection against unwanted pregnancy is not always allowed for lactating women. Young mothers can spiral containing progesterone. Such, for example, as Mirena.

Usually, doctors are advised to wait a couple of months after natural delivery and at least six months after CS.

There is a stereotype that hormones of artificial origin (tablets, spirals) will harm the baby. Allegedly, a "dose" of unwanted drugs still gets into mom’s milk. However, modern obstetrics denies a negative impact on the baby.

other methods

There are two more ways that answer the question of how to protect a nursing mother. This is an interrupted sexual intercourse and sterilization of either one or the other partner. Of course, the second method is suitable only for those who seriously understand that they do not plan more children. In this case, during a simple operation, the fallopian tubes are ligated in women or the spermatic cord in men. The biggest disadvantage of this method is that it is irreversible. Before making a fateful decision, it is worth weighing the pros and cons.

Therefore, we would not advise taking it seriously. Otherwise, the next baby is able to deliver a lot of trouble with his appearance. The fact is that many simply do not have time to notice a pregnancy in caring for an infant, because menstruation after delivery has not yet arrived. Therefore, in order to avoid an unwanted pregnancy, a mother should get advice on contraception methods from her gynecologist.