Does Plan B pill affect breast milk?

Understanding the Impact of Plan B on Breast Milk
The Plan B pill, also known as the morning-after pill, is a form of emergency contraception that many women may consider after unprotected intercourse. A common concern among breastfeeding mothers is whether taking Plan B will affect their breast milk or their breastfeeding experience.
Safety of Plan B During Breastfeeding
Research indicates that Plan B, which contains the hormone levonorgestrel, is safe to use while breastfeeding. According to medical experts, including OB-GYNs, there is no evidence to suggest that Plan B has negative effects on breastfeeding or on breastfed infants. In fact, studies have shown that levonorgestrel does not adversely affect the composition of breast milk.
Effects on Milk Supply
A cohort study involving 71 women who took levonorgestrel as a postcoital contraceptive found that there was no significant decrease in milk supply reported. Most mothers in the study resumed breastfeeding within eight hours after taking the pill, and none reported any adverse effects on their milk production or their babies. This suggests that breastfeeding mothers can take Plan B without worrying about compromising their milk supply.
Recommendations from Health Authorities
Health authorities recommend that while non-hormonal methods of contraception are preferred during breastfeeding, progestin-only contraceptives like Plan B are considered the best hormonal options. This is particularly important for mothers who may need emergency contraception but are also committed to breastfeeding.
Conclusion
In summary, Plan B is a safe option for breastfeeding mothers. It does not negatively impact breast milk or breastfeeding practices, allowing mothers to make informed choices about their reproductive health without compromising their breastfeeding journey. As always, it is advisable for mothers to consult with their healthcare providers for personalized advice and to address any specific concerns they may have.

What are the odds of getting pregnant while breastfeeding?

About 2 out of 100 people who use breastfeeding as birth control get pregnant in the 6 months it can be used after a baby is born. Breastfeeding won’t prevent pregnancy if you feed your baby anything other than breast milk. So if you breastfeed but also use formula, LAM isn’t a great birth control method for you.

Does Plan B affect your breast milk?

Studies indicate that levonorgestrel does not affect the composition or amount of breastmilk, or the growth and development of the breastfed infant. 6 Levonorgestrel is the same hormone found in the “Mini Pill”, which is considered the oral contraceptive of choice for breastfeeding mothers.

What to avoid after taking Plan B?

There are certain medications and herbal supplements that you should avoid after taking Plan B, as they may lower the efficacy of the drug. These include: Barbiturates (including primidone) Bosentan.

Does the pill affect breast milk supply?

This is especially true when hormonal contraception is combined with stressors such as a return to work or less-frequent breastfeeding. Birth control pills with high doses of estrogen are more likely to decrease milk supply.

How does Plan B affect your breast?

Breast tenderness: Within a few hours after taking Plan B (should resolve within a day or two) Late period: During your next period, but shouldn’t affect any periods after that.

What happens to a woman’s body after taking Plan B?

You may get a headache, upset stomach, feel lightheaded or dizzy, or have tender breasts for a short while when you take the morning-after pill. If you throw up within 2 hours of taking the pill, it won’t work and you’ll need to take it again.

What pill is safe while breastfeeding?

Oral contraceptives (the pill): the progesterone-only mini pill is best while breastfeeding. The pill (combined oral contraceptive pill) should not be taken. Painkillers: paracetamol is safe to take at the recommended dose while breast feeding. Ibuprofen should only be taking in low doses for a short time.

Can I get pregnant while breastfeeding?

While exclusive breastfeeding can temporarily delay your fertility postpartum, making it more difficult to conceive while nursing, it’s not impossible. With that in mind, the short answer is yes, you can get pregnant while breastfeeding. That said, it’s a little more complicated than that!

Will Plan B affect my baby?

Plan B is NOT the same as RU-486 (the abortion pill). Plan B is not effective after pregnancy has occurred and cannot interrupt it. Plan B won’t harm a developing fetus. If Plan B is taken mistakenly during pregnancy, it will not harm the developing fetus.

What happens to the baby if Plan B fails?

Impact on a Developing Fetus
A study assessing the effect of LNG-EC exposure on pregnant women and their fetuses found that LNG-EC does not appear to have any substantial effects on the physical and mental development of a developing fetus, nor the occurrence of congenital malformations.