Use this link to enable the ReciteMe accessibility toolkit Enable ReciteMe accessibility tools
Use this link to enable the ReciteMe accessibility toolkit

Accessibility tools

Enable ReciteMe accessibility tools
Home > Services > Maternity > After your baby is born > Contraception after birth

Contraception after birth

It is important to think about contraception, and choose a method for after your baby is born. You can get pregnant again as early as 3 weeks after birth, even if you are breastfeeding and your periods have not started.

Your midwife will talk with you about contraception during pregnancy, and after your baby is born. You can also speak to your midwife, GP, health visitor, or a sexual health clinic any time.

How soon do I need contraception?

Your body can start to release eggs before your first period after birth. This means you can get pregnant without realising your fertility has returned.

If you do not want to get pregnant again, you should use contraception every time you have sex after the birth of your baby.

Contraception choices

You have choices on what contraception you wish to use. Here are some of the options.

Breastfeeding and contraception

You’re unlikely to have any periods if you breastfeed exclusively (give your baby breast milk only) and your baby is under 6 months old.

Because of this, some women use breastfeeding as a form of natural contraception. This is known as the lactational amenorrhoea method, or LAM.

Find out about natural family planning, including LAM.

It’s important to start using another form of contraception if:

  • Your baby is more than 6 months old
  • You give them anything else apart from breast milk, such as a dummy, formula or solid foods
  • Your periods start again (even light spotting counts)
  • You stop night feeding
  • You start to breastfeed less often
  • There are longer intervals between feeds, both during the day and at night

The effect of expressing breast milk on LAM isn’t known, but it may make it less effective.

Emergency contraception

You can still use emergency contraception after birth. Your healthcare professional will help you choose the right type for you.

Where to get help

You can talk to:
• Your midwife
• Your GP
• Your health visitor
• A sexual health clinic

For more information, you can also visit:
• NHS information about sex and contraception after birth
• Contraception Choices