We Are In-Network With Insurance Providers in TX, FL, IL, CA, PA & NY!
BOOK HERE FOR AN INSURANCE CHECK
We Are In-Network With Insurance Providers in TX, FL, IL, CA, PA & NY!
BOOK HERE FOR AN INSURANCE CHECK

November 8, 2024

October 9, 2024

Understanding Options for Birth Control After Childbirth

E:
246
with
Dr. Fran Haydanek
DO, FACOG

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

  • The Best Time to Plan for Birth Control After Childbirth 
  • Does Breastfeeding Act as Birth Control? 
  • Choosing Between Hormonal and Non-Hormonal Birth Control 
  • Permanent Birth Control Options After Childbirth
  • The Importance of Patient Autonomy

When moms are expecting a baby, birth control options after childbirth might be the last thing on their minds. They are focused on their pregnancy, their health, and preparation for the baby. 

But before they know it, they find themselves facing contraception decisions—and battling myths, internet misinformation, and unanswered questions in the process. 

The earlier we consider options for contraception after childbirth, the better. This allows us to prevent unexpected pregnancies, protect our health, and understand what options are available to us, both in the short-term and the long-term. 

There are many options for birth control after childbirth—from short-term contraception to long-term or permanent options. Determining the right choice is hard—we have to weigh out factors like whether we want more children, whether or not we’re breastfeeding, and how our body responds to hormones. 

This week on The Momwell Podcast, I’m joined by OB-GYN Dr. Fran Haydanek, founder of Paging Dr. Fran, to discuss how moms can make informed decisions about birth control after childbirth. 

The Best Time to Plan for Birth Control After Childbirth

Moms are often surprised when their OB-GYN brings up birth control during pregnancy. But Dr. Fran said that it’s the best time to reflect on your options. 

The postpartum period is complex and often overwhelming—and researching or making decisions with a newborn might be difficult. But if we plan ahead and consider our options, we can reduce the mental labor around making the decision in postpartum. 

The earlier we consider options for contraception after childbirth, the better. 

Dr. Fran pointed out that birth control after childbirth is important. Your body needs time to recover before becoming pregnant again—and you need time to make choices about pregnancy spacing or whether or not you want more children. 

Discussing birth control options early also gives you plenty of time to consider your lifestyle, your feeding plans, and your sensitivity to hormones—all of which can affect the decision that works for you. 

Does Breastfeeding Act as Birth Control? 

Many moms believe that breastfeeding acts as birth control, leading them to think they don’t need to worry about contraception. 

Dr. Fran said that there is a lot of misinformation around this idea. Lactational amenorrhea is when you don’t get your period while breastfeeding. This happens for some moms and not for others. 

If you do experience lactational amenorrhea, it does decrease your chances of getting pregnant—the rate is less than 2%. But this only applies if four factors are true:

  • You haven’t gotten your period yet
  • You are directly breastfeeding
  • Your baby is exclusively breastfeeding, with no formula or supplementary foods
  • You are within six months postpartum

Even if your period hasn’t returned yet and the other pieces are not true, the protection from breastfeeding is no longer in place. 

Dr. Fran also pointed out that you ovulate before you get your period back, so you could end up pregnant again without even realizing ovulation has re-started. Overall, if you do not want to become pregnant again, it’s safer to use other methods rather than relying on breastfeeding. 

Nursing moms might worry that birth control will decrease their milk supply—but there are many options that won’t affect supply. 

Best Options for Birth Control After Childbirth

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to birth control, especially after childbirth. Your postpartum body is adjusting and coping with changes in hormones. What worked for you before having a baby might not work after. It might take some trial and error to find the right fit. 

It might take some trial and error to find the right fit. 

The best option for you depends on what you need from your birth control, whether or not you’re breastfeeding, your tolerance level for the risk of getting pregnant, your hormone sensitivity, whether you want more children, and how long you want to wait before becoming pregnant again if you do. 

Dr. Fran said that there are three main categories for birth control options after childbirth: non-hormonal, combined hormone, and progestin only.

Non-Hormonal Options

Not all birth control options use hormones. The copper IUD (ParaGard) is hormone-free. This can be a good option for moms who have experienced hormone sensitivity in the past and want a long-term solution for family planning. Non-hormonal options also include barrier methods like condoms.

Combined Hormone Options

Combined hormone options use estrogen and progestin (a synthetic form of progesterone). These hormones both occur naturally in your body and impact your reproductive system. Combined options include birth control pills and the NuvaRing. 

Dr. Fran said that estrogen could potentially decrease milk supply. Because of this, combined hormone options are probably a better choice for moms who aren’t breastfeeding or for those with an oversupply. 

Progestin-Only Options

Progestin-only options are often recommended postpartum for moms who are breastfeeding. These include the mini-pill, the Depo shot, the arm implant (Nexplanon), and hormonal IUDs. 

It’s important to note that the mini-pill is only effective if taken at the same time every day—with combined hormone pills there is a larger margin of error. If you think that you will have trouble remembering to take a pill, one of the other progestin-only options or combined hormone options might be a better fit. 

Choosing Between Hormonal and Non-Hormonal Birth Control 

Some people turn to non-hormonal options for birth control out of fear of putting something into their bodies. Dr. Fran pointed out that the copper IUD is a great non-hormonal option, but that hormonal birth control is often misunderstood

Not all hormonal options work the same way, and hormonal choices can offer benefits that non-hormonal options don’t, depending on your preferences. 

She said that birth control pills are a systemic form of birth control. They impact our menstrual cycles and stop ovulation, which can help with things like PMDD. But hormonal IUDs work differently. They target the uterus locally, thinning your endometrial lining and impacting cervical mucus. For the most part, they don’t stop ovulation—meaning you will still have a “natural” cycle with hormonal ebbs and flows. 

Dr. Fran also pointed out that 60-70% of people get lighter or no periods while on hormonal IUDs—which can be a pro or a con. Many moms are happy to have lighter periods or avoid them altogether. For other moms, this could feel scary—they might feel scared about a pregnancy without a monthly period. 

The copper IUD is also not without side effects. Dr. Fran said that it creates an inflammatory response inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy. This response often also leads to longer or heavier periods. For some moms, this is not an issue—but for others, it might be. 

Ultimately, the choice depends on you—and you can always change and try something else. 

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Birth Control Options

One of the factors that will probably impact your decision on birth control is the length of time you want between pregnancies. 

Dr. Fran shared that doctors typically recommend waiting between 12-18 months after having a baby before becoming pregnant again—though she pointed out that the “safe zone” is a bit of a gray area. 

If you want to have your children close together, options like the shot, the NuvaRing, or pills are probably best. These are more temporary, short-term solutions that can be stopped whenever you’re ready. But if you want some time between pregnancies, a longer-term option might be a better fit.

The arm implant and IUDs are “set it and forget it” choices that don’t require you to remember to take a pill, but that also don’t require you to commit to something permanent. 

Arm implants last three years. Hormonal IUDs offer protection for eight years. And the copper IUD lasts for ten years. These are all choices for long-term protection—and they can also be removed at any time. 

Dr. Fran also pointed out that there’s a lot of buzz about IUDs and pain management. She said that when IUDs first came out, they were primarily offered to people who already had babies—and their bodies often didn’t experience major insertion pain. 

Today, we know that IUD insertions can cause a lot of pain and discomfort for some people, especially those who haven’t had biological children before. But for a long time, pain management wasn’t offered or even considered. 

Don’t be afraid to ask for pain management and advocate for yourself. 

Now there are options for pain management—over the counter pain relievers, paracervical blocks (cervical numbing injections), nitrous oxide, or even anti-anxiety medication for those who are worried about the pain. Your provider might offer some or all of these options—just don’t be afraid to ask and advocate for yourself. 

Permanent Birth Control Options After Childbirth

If you're sure you're done having children, permanent options like tubal ligation (also known as sterilization or getting your “tubes tied”) or a vasectomy for your partner are available. 

If you’re sure you’re done having children, there are permanent options. 

A vasectomy is less invasive and has a quicker recovery time. It is an outpatient procedure, hits less major tissue, and comes with less complications. It is also potentially reversible. Dr. Fran said that for couples who want a permanent birth control option and are in stable relationships, this is her go-to recommendation. 

Tubal ligation is a more invasive procedure but also offers a permanent solution. If you’re already having a C-section, a tubal ligation can be done at the same time, making it more convenient. 

Dr. Fran said that tubal ligations have changed over time—but with modern procedures, your fallopian tubes are removed. That means that it is final and irreversible. She said that you should only do this if you are absolutely certain that you do not want any more children and that you will never change your mind. 

The Importance of Patient Autonomy

Doctors might be hesitant to perform sterilizations out of fear that patients will come to regret it or might change their mind later down the line. Dr. Fran pointed out that this doesn’t come from a malicious place—most of these doctors genuinely want to help their patients avoid regret. 

But it has led to a situation where many doctors will outright refuse to respect their patient’s wishes, or will follow arbitrary “rules” like “We only perform tubal ligations if someone has two or more children” or “We only perform them after a certain age.”

This has led to public outcry and a push for more and the rights for people to decide whether or not they want children, and how many they want to have. Many people point out that men are able to receive vasectomies without the same level of scrutiny. 

Patients deserve to make informed birth control decisions. 

Dr. Fran believes that patients deserve to make informed birth control decisions. Doctors should educate patients on all available options and iterate that tubal ligations are irreversible. They should also share that there is a small percentage of people with tubal ligations that do end up regretting their choice. 

But once they have done their due diligence and informed their patients, doctors should respect patient autonomy. They shouldn’t refuse sterilization or try to make decisions for their patients. 

More and more doctors are embracing patient-centered care and informed decision-making. Dr. Fran’s website provides a list of doctors who are willing to perform sterilizations. 

If your provider isn’t willing to listen to your needs or respect your choices, you should feel empowered to seek another. It’s important to make informed decisions, but you deserve bodily autonomy.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your choices or frustrated by the treatment from you provider, working with a mom therapist can help you navigate these decisions and advocate for yourself. Book a FREE 15 minute consult today.

NEWSLETTER

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Tags:

Family planning, Postpartum, Medical care

Stage:

Trying to Conceive, Pregnancy, Postpartum, Motherhood

Share Now:

OUR GUEST

Dr. Fran Haydanek
DO, FACOG

Dr. Fran is a board-certified OB-GYN and mom to three, who is passionate about providing accessible and reliable information about all things related to women's health. Her mission is to provide a platform for women to access the latest obstetrical & gynecological info so they can make informed decisions about their healthcare.

She is passionate about helping women to become educated about their bodies and to feel empowered in their healthcare decisions.

Erica Djossa
Erica Djossa
PMH-C | Founder of Momwell
Erica is the founder of Momwell, providing educational resources and virtual therapy for moms. She is a mom of three boys and a registered psychotherapist. Erica’s work has been featured in the Toronto Star, Breakfast Television, Scary Mommy, Medium, Pop Sugar, and Romper. how they want it.
RELATED ARTICLES
December 1, 2024
November 27, 2024
Fed is Best and Formula Can Save Lives: Why Rigid Breastfeeding Expectations Can be Harmful
E:
253
with
Dr. Christie del Castillo-Hegyi
Co-Founder of Fed Is Best Foundation
November 25, 2024
November 20, 2024
Making Evidence Based Birth Decisions: Understanding the Research and Your Options
E:
252
with
Dr. Rebecca Dekker
Founder and CEO of Evidence Based Birth
November 8, 2024
October 9, 2024
Understanding Options for Birth Control After Childbirth
E:
246
with
Dr. Fran Haydanek
DO, FACOG
November 8, 2024
October 2, 2024
How to Get Paid During Maternity Leave in the US: Understanding Rights, Policies, and Options
E:
245
with
Daphne Delvaux
Founder of Delvaux Law and the Mamattorney
October 21, 2024
September 18, 2024
The Relationship Between Menopause and Mental Health: Symptoms, Impact, and Treatment
E:
243
with
Dr. Mary Claire Haver
Author of ‘The New Menopause’
September 4, 2024
July 31, 2024
Approaching Infant Feeding with Flexibility: What We Can Learn from the Data on Combination Feeding
E:
236
with
Sarah O'Leary and Andrea Ippolito
CEO of Willow and CEO & Founder of SimpliFed
August 19, 2024
July 17, 2024
Overcoming Anxiety About Introducing Solids to Baby: How to Trust Yourself and Your Child
E:
234
with
Jenny Best
Founder & CEO of Solid Starts
September 18, 2024
March 13, 2024
Understanding Menopause and Mental Health: What to Expect and When to Seek Treatment
E:
216
with
Dr. Heather Hirsch
Founder of the Menopause & Midlife Clinic
July 3, 2024
January 31, 2024
Postpartum Rage vs. Parental Anger: How Social Expectations Create Overwhelmed Moms
E:
210
with
Dr. Ashurina Ream
Founder and CEO of Psyched Mommy, licensed clinical psychologist
July 3, 2024
January 10, 2024
Hormone Health and Wellness for Moms: Busting Myths and Understanding Your Cycle
E:
207
with
Dr. Jen Gunter
bestselling author, obstetrician, and gynecologist
February 20, 2024
October 25, 2023
Redefining Postpartum Fitness: Adjusting Your Goals and Healing Your Body
E:
196
with
Amy Kiefer & Krystle Howald
co-founders of Expecting and Empowered
February 20, 2024
October 4, 2023
Interpreting Newborn Hunger Cues and Sleepy Signs: How to Learn Your Baby’s Needs
E:
193
with
Sharon Mazel
Author of Bite-Sized Parenting: Your Baby’s First Year
February 20, 2024
August 16, 2023
Navigating Matrescence: The Roller Coaster of Becoming a Mom
E:
186
with
Dr. Catherine Birndorf
Co-Founder and Medical Director of The Motherhood Center of New York
February 20, 2024
April 19, 2023
Overcoming Grief as Our Children Age: The Value of Acceptance and How to Be More Present
E:
169
with
Bryana Kappadakunnel
Marriage & Family Therapist
February 20, 2024
March 29, 2023
Birth Trauma Part 2: Facing Pregnancy After a Traumatic Birth
E:
166
with
Kayleigh Summers
Clinical Social Worker
February 20, 2024
March 22, 2023
Birth Trauma Part 1: How Birth Trauma Impacts Our Family Decision Making
E:
165
with
Kayleigh Summers
Clinical Social Worker
February 20, 2024
January 11, 2023
Understanding Baby Temperament: How to Tune Into Your Child’s Natural Personality
E:
155
with
Dr. Cara Goodwin
Clinical Psychologist
February 20, 2024
November 16, 2022
Surviving the Baby Witching Hour: How to Cope With Colicky and Fussy Babies
E:
147
with
Dr. Whitney Casares
Pediatrician
February 20, 2024
October 5, 2022
Protecting Maternal Sleep: The Relationship Between Sleep Deprivation and Postpartum Depression
E:
141
with
Dr. Nicole Leistikow
Reproductive Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist
February 20, 2024
February 16, 2022
What is Matrescence? The Transition into Motherhood (And Why Being a New Mom is Hard)
E:
108
with
Dr. Katayune Kaeni
Perinatal Psychologist
February 20, 2024
February 9, 2022
How to Prepare Your Dog for a New Baby: Planning, Introducing, and Keeping Everyone Safe
E:
107
with
Dominika Knossalla
Certified Dog Trainer
February 20, 2024
January 5, 2022
Sleep Training Doesn't Have To Be Scary
E:
102
with
Dr. Aubrie DeBear
Founder of Baby Sleep Dr.
February 20, 2024
December 15, 2021
The Pressure to Get It Right
E:
99
with
Dr. Jen Douglas
Psychologist
February 20, 2024
December 1, 2021
The One and Done Family
E:
97
with
Renee Reina, Ph.D.
Founder of The Mom Room
February 20, 2024
November 24, 2021
Overcoming Gender Disappointment
E:
96
with
Dr. Renée Miller
Clinical Psychologist
February 20, 2024
November 17, 2021
Adding a Sibling to Your Family
E:
95
with
Bryana Kappadakunnel
Family Therapist
February 20, 2024
November 10, 2021
Regulating Your Nervous System
E:
94
with
Dr. Quincee Gideon
Psychologist
February 20, 2024
September 29, 2021
Alcohol, CBD, and Cannabis While Pregnant and Nursing
E:
88
with
Dr. Jennifer Lincoln
OB-GYN
February 20, 2024
September 8, 2021
Caring for the Postpartum Brain
E:
85
with
Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor
Neuroanatomist
February 20, 2024
September 1, 2021
The Data Driven Mommy
E:
84
with
Emily Oster
Economist and Author
February 20, 2024
August 18, 2021
Is Breastfeeding Worth Our Mental Health?
E:
82
with
Johanna Phillips
Maternal Mental Health Specialist
February 20, 2024
July 28, 2021
When Treatment Becomes Trauma
E:
79
with
Dr. Quincee Gideon
Clinical Psychologist
February 20, 2024
July 21, 2021
PMS or Something More?
E:
78
with
Dr. Nichelle Haynes
Perinatal Psychiatrist
February 20, 2024
July 7, 2021
Preparing for Labor and Delivery
E:
76
with
Liesel Teen
Founder of Mommy Labor Nurse
February 20, 2024
June 30, 2021
Sex As a Mother
E:
75
with
Dr. Sara Reardon
Physical Therapist
February 20, 2024
June 9, 2021
Mom Brain
E:
72
with
Dr. Jodi Pawluski
Neuroscientist and Psychotherapist
February 20, 2024
May 26, 2021
Whole Brain Mommying
E:
70
with
Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor
Neuroanatomist
February 20, 2024
May 19, 2021
The Perfect Mother Myth
E:
69
with
Dr. Sophie Brock
Sociologist
February 20, 2024
May 5, 2021
Effects of COVID Vaccine on Pregnancy and Nursing
E:
67
with
Dr. Marta Perez
OB-GYN
February 20, 2024
February 17, 2021
How Hormones Affect Our Mental Health
E:
56
with
Dr. Kristin Lasseter
Psychiatrist
February 20, 2024
January 27, 2021
Coping With Miscarriage and Loss
E:
53
with
Dr. Jessica Zucker
Psychologist
February 20, 2024
January 13, 2021
Supporting Hormone Health with Nutrition
E:
51
with
Amanda Montalvo
Dietitian
February 20, 2024
January 6, 2021
Understanding Infertility and Secondary Infertility: What Causes the Struggle and When to Seek Help
E:
50
with
Dr. Natalie Crawford
OB-GYN and Reproductive Endocrinologist
February 20, 2024
December 23, 2020
Reducing Worry and Navigating the Health of Baby in 4th Trimester
E:
49
with
Dr. Mona Amin
Pediatrician
February 20, 2024
November 11, 2020
Learning to Love Your Postpartum Body
E:
46
with
Lexie Kite, Ph.D.
Co-Founder of Beauty Redefined
February 20, 2024
October 28, 2020
Maintaining Your Identity in Motherhood
E:
45
with
Chasity Holcomb
Therapist
February 20, 2024
October 14, 2020
Managing Perfectionism in Motherhood
E:
44
with
Dr. Jen Douglas
Psychologist
February 20, 2024
July 24, 2020
When Covid is triggering
E:
39
with
Sahar Martinez
Marriage and Family Therapist
February 20, 2024
April 15, 2020
Fostering Independent Baby Sleep
E:
29
with
Rosalee Lahaie Hera
Sleep Consultant
February 20, 2024
March 25, 2020
Coping with Covid
E:
26
with
Bryana Kappa
Marriage and Family Therapist
February 20, 2024
February 12, 2020
Making Informed Decisions About Baby Sleep
E:
21
with
Dr. Elizabeth Adams
Psychologist
February 20, 2024
January 29, 2020
Racism and Privilege in Birth Work
E:
19
with
Sabia Wade
Doula
February 20, 2024
January 15, 2020
Understanding Birth Trauma
E:
17
with
Dr. Heidi Green
Psychologist
February 20, 2024
November 13, 2019
Understanding Your Hormones
E:
13
with
Dr. Rishma Walji
Naturopathic
February 20, 2024
November 6, 2019
Rejecting Diet Culture Mentality
E:
12
with
Dr. Colleen Reichmann
Psychologist
February 20, 2024
October 16, 2019
Understanding Postpartum Stress Syndrome
E:
9
with
Dr. Alice Pickering
Psychologist
February 20, 2024
September 21, 2019
Understanding Mommy Rage
E:
2
with
Dr. Ashurina Ream
Founder of Psyched Mommy
February 20, 2024
October 9, 2019
Tuning Out the Noise and Tuning into Your Child
E:
8
with
Dr. Elizabeth Adams
Psychologist
February 20, 2024
September 21, 2019
Urine Incontinence in Pregnancy and Postpartum
E:
5
with
Jeanice Mitchell
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist
February 20, 2024
September 21, 2019
Are Psychiatric Medications an Option While Pregnant and Nursing?
E:
3
with
Dr. Kristin Lasseter
Reproductive Psychiatrist
February 20, 2024
September 22, 2019
The Happy Postpartum Vagina
E:
6
with
Dr. Staci Tanouye
OB-GYN