You can get pregnant very soon after giving birth
Did you know you can become pregnant again very soon after giving birth to your baby?
Post-birth contraception is available from maternity, talk to your midwife/doctor about your options.
After birth, fertility can return really quickly, and you can produce eggs (ovulate) as early as 3 weeks after your baby is born. This means it can be easy to become pregnant again, soon after you’ve had a baby.
It’s even possible to get pregnant, before you have had your first period after giving birth.
We recommend at least 12 months between the birth of your baby and becoming pregnant again, to reduce the risk of poorer pregnancy outcomes, associated with short birth intervals (gap between pregnancies).
Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC)
Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), such as the injection, implant or the coil, are available from your maternity department prior to discharge and are safe to use immediately after birth and whilst breastfeeding. LARC is highly effective, and reversible and can be stopped or removed if you want to become pregnant again.
We can also provide you with a supply of progestogen only pills or mini pills, which are also safe to use immediately after birth and when breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding and Contraception
Breastfeeding may be effective at preventing pregnancy, but this is only for those who are exclusively breastfeeding, without the use of dummies or expressing breastmilk or if you start having periods again. This is called Lactational Amenorrhea Method or LAM and only applies for the first 6 months after birth. It is not advisable to rely on breastfeeding for your contraception if you need a highly reliable or long-term method. Breastfeeding parents may not see their periods return for many months, but that doesn’t mean you’re not ovulating and at risk of pregnancy.
Contraception choices is a helpful website which may help you narrow down your options, and help you choose a method that will be right for you.
Contraception is free
We can provide you with contraception before you leave the hospital so you won’t have to visit another clinic or your GP to start contraception. Not all GPs offer every type of contraception and your GP may not be able to offer coils and implants. Sexual health clinics offer all types of contraception but in some areas there may be a wait for an appointment.
All the contraceptive options we offer are safe to take if you are breastfeeding.
The coil
The coil is a small T shaped device which we place into your womb after your baby has been born.
There are two types of coil:
the copper coil (or intrauterine device, IUD) does not release hormones, and lasts for 10 years.
the Mirena coil (or intrauterine system, IUS) releases progestogen hormone and lasts for 6 years.
About one woman in every thousand will become pregnant while using the coil.
Start thinking about your choices early
During your pregnancy, we’ll talk to you about contraception after birth. This is to give you plenty of time to plan and decide on the choice that is right for you.
Please do speak to your midwife or doctor for more information on your options, before you give birth.
EligibilityFSRH UK Medical eligibility criteria
link to current FSRH UKMEC – eligibility criteria
FSRH drug interaction guidance
FSRH CEU Guidance: Drug Interactions with Hormonal Contraception (May 2022) | FSRH
link to FSRH drug interactions guideline
link to FSRH guideline on contraception and cardiac disease
link to contraception in women over
Contraception for Specific Populations
I would also put a link to the videos we have for counselling – which are hosted on the ICB website:
Other videos;
Pregnancy and Maternity Services :: North West London