After childbirth, for many women, an equally important and crucial stage begins - the period of breastfeeding. As with pregnancy, a young mother should rethink her habits, nutrition and lifestyle, taking into account the health benefits and safety of her baby. Particular attention should be paid to the choice of means of protection against unwanted pregnancy.
Instructions
Step 1
As a rule, in the postpartum period, nursing mothers have no menstruation or they are irregular. Therefore, for effective contraception, neither the calendar method for calculating safe days nor the method for measuring basal temperature is suitable. The conventional wisdom that a woman cannot get pregnant during lactation is also not entirely true. Only in the case when the child is completely breastfed, and the interval between feedings even at night does not exceed three hours, the young mother does not need additional means of protection. However, with the appearance of spotting or the resumption of menstruation, lactation no longer protects against pregnancy.
Step 2
Condoms are considered one of the most reliable methods of contraception. Their use in the postpartum period also provides additional protection against infections. As an alternative to condoms, spermicides can be used; they are available in the form of gels, vaginal tablets and suppositories, ointments, and pastes. Lack of spermicides - low efficiency. However, with a low risk of pregnancy, as in lactating women, this method is quite reliable.
Step 3
Oral contraceptives are contraindicated for breastfeeding because they can have a negative effect on the baby. For nursing women, special preparations "Excluton" and "Charosetta" have been developed. They must be taken daily, 1 tablet per day, throughout the entire lactation period. Before taking the pills, be sure to consult with your gynecologist.
Step 4
Intrauterine devices are absolutely safe for lactation. They can be placed immediately after delivery (within 48 hours) or after 1 to 2 months when the postpartum discharge is over. The spiral has a mechanical effect, preventing the attachment of a possible pregnancy in the uterine cavity. Despite its high efficiency, this method has a number of contraindications and side effects (for example, the risk of invisible spiral loss).
Step 5
The most modern postpartum contraception strategy is the Mirena intrauterine system. Due to the combination of intrauterine and hormonal mechanisms of action, its reliability is 99%. In addition, Mirena helps prevent a number of gynecological diseases. Installation of "Mirena" is possible in 1-2 months after childbirth, in the absence of complaints, the duration of exposure is up to 5 years. The disadvantage of this method is the rather high cost (about 9000 rubles).
