What happens if you take birth control while breastfeeding?

Understanding Birth Control While Breastfeeding
Navigating the world of birth control can be particularly complex for new mothers who are breastfeeding. Many women wonder about the safety and implications of using contraceptives during this period, especially considering the delicate balance of maintaining milk supply and ensuring the health of their baby.
Safety of Birth Control Options
The good news is that most birth control methods are safe for breastfeeding mothers. According to recent insights, options such as intrauterine devices (IUDs), hormonal implants, and progestin-only pills can be initiated shortly after childbirth without adversely affecting breastfeeding. These methods are designed to prevent pregnancy while allowing mothers to continue nursing their infants effectively.
Impact on Milk Supply
However, not all contraceptives are created equal when it comes to breastfeeding. Birth control methods that contain estrogen, such as combination pills, have been linked to a potential reduction in milk supply. This is particularly concerning for mothers who are still establishing their breastfeeding routine. While some women may not experience any issues with their milk supply, others might find that their ability to produce milk diminishes after starting estrogen-containing contraceptives. Therefore, it is often recommended that breastfeeding mothers wait until their milk supply is well established—typically around six weeks postpartum—before introducing these types of birth control.
Breastfeeding as a Natural Contraceptive
Interestingly, breastfeeding itself can serve as a form of natural birth control, known as the lactational amenorrhea method (LAM). This method relies on exclusive breastfeeding to suppress ovulation, making it a viable option for some women in the early months postpartum. However, it is essential to understand that this method is not foolproof, and women can still become pregnant while breastfeeding.
Consulting Healthcare Providers
Given the nuances involved, it is crucial for breastfeeding mothers to consult with healthcare providers about their contraceptive options. A pediatrician and a gynecologist can provide tailored advice based on individual health needs and breastfeeding goals. This collaborative approach ensures that mothers can choose a birth control method that aligns with their lifestyle while safeguarding their milk supply and their baby’s health.
In summary, while breastfeeding mothers have a variety of safe and effective birth control options, careful consideration is necessary to avoid potential impacts on milk production. By working closely with healthcare professionals, mothers can navigate this important aspect of postpartum life with confidence.

Why can’t you take birth control while breastfeeding?

Until breastfeeding is established, it is recommended that progesterone-only pills (POPs) be favored over combined hormonal contraception (CHC) as the latter has the potential to impede milk production, as pointed out in various medical studies [1].

What is the best birth control for postpartum?

We typically recommend three types of birth control options for women who want to avoid pregnancy after childbirth: the Depo Provera shots, which last about three months; long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) devices, which are effective up to 10 years; and tubal ligation, which is considered permanent.

What are the side effects of breastfeeding as birth control?

Breastfeeding can have some side effects.
Breastfeeding can lower vaginal lubrication (getting wet when aroused), which can make sex uncomfortable. And some people find that nursing makes their breasts feel less sexual.

Does birth control dry up milk supply?

Contraceptives which contain estrogen have been linked to reduced milk supply and early cessation of breastfeeding even when started after milk supply is well established and baby is older. Not all mothers who take contraceptives containing estrogen experience lower milk supply, but many do.

What happens if you take the morning after pill if you are already pregnant?

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. Using Plan B will not affect a woman’s ability to become pregnant in the future.

How long does it take for birth control to dry up breast milk?

Estrogen can help reduce breast milk supply. If someone is not trying to get pregnant, they can take estrogen in a combined hormonal birth control pill. A 2014 paper emphasizes that milk supply should dry up within 5–7 days, making birth control a viable short-term strategy even for those who hope to get pregnant soon.

What percentage of people get pregnant while breastfeeding?

If you follow the rules laid out in the LAM method — exclusive breastfeeding of an infant younger than 6 months old before your period comes back — you have less than a 5 percent chance of getting pregnant.

Is it possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding?

“You can’t get pregnant if you’re breastfeeding.” Maybe you’ve heard this myth before…and we should warn you, it’s just that—a myth! The truth is you can get pregnant while you’re breastfeeding, even if your menstrual cycle hasn’t returned to normal.

Is it safe to take the I pill during breastfeeding?

Answer: Yes, the medicine is completely safe for breastfeeding mothers. It does not tamper with milk production.

When do periods return when breastfeeding?

Also, some people have a non-ovulatory period before 6 months postpartum, but do not menstruate again for many months. According to The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (p. 364-366), almost everyone who is fully breastfeeding their babies will be free of menstrual periods for 3 – 6 months or longer.