Postpartum contraception is a frankly difficult topic. It is known that it is during this period that the probability of an unplanned pregnancy is higher than in any other period of life. The most reasonable option is to visit a local gynecologist to select the optimal remedy suitable for a particular woman. This will allow you to choose an effective option that will not be dangerous either for the patient herself or for the baby.
Questions are relevant
It is no secret that the bearing of a fetus, the birth of a child are extremely important periods for any modern woman, but the time shortly after the birth of a child is no less significant, because the body gradually restores strength. All internal organs, systems that previously worked for the benefit of the embryo, returned their forces precisely for the full development of the child, are returning to normal. Together with others, the ovaries are restored. Hormonal work of this organ forces a woman to use birth control pills after childbirth, spirals, and barrier methods to prevent re-conception in the shortest possible time.
To prevent an unplanned pregnancy soon after the birth of a child, you should resort to the most effective means. In this case, many factors must be taken into account - from lifestyle and nutrition to the specifics of raising a baby. It is best to consult a doctor what methods of contraception after childbirth are suitable in a particular case. This will depend on both the recovery processes and the fact of breastfeeding the baby and other features, including chronic and acute diseases, suffered by the gynecologist’s patient.
What does medicine say?
Several scientific studies were organized to determine what happens in the female body after the birth of offspring. As it was revealed, the recovery processes begin almost instantly. Reproductive system involution requires minimal time. Only ten days after the birth of the baby, the uterine canal is completely restored, by the end of the first month, the pharynx closes, and by the seventh week a complete restoration of the internal cover, the endometrium, is observed. Therefore, sexual intercourse without the use of contraceptives after childbirth can cause a new pregnancy. If a woman is not ready for such a turn of events, measures must be taken in advance to prevent unplanned fertilization.
Involution, as specialized studies have shown, normally completes completely by the end of the second month after the birth of a child. It is at this point that the mucosa is completely restored in those places where the placenta is attached. Doctors recommend this entire period to use the most effective method of contraception after childbirth (Orthodoxy, for example, approves of it). We are talking about complete abstinence from intimate contact. Such a responsible attitude to oneself and one's health helps to prevent unwanted infection, the danger of which is especially high precisely during the period of recovery processes, when the protective forces of the body as a whole, the reproductive system in particular are not high enough.
Statistics and features
It is known that menstrual function is restored on average six months after the birth of the baby if the baby is fed breast milk. If the child immediately eats an artificial product, menstruation returns for the fourth month. Often the cycle is not associated with ovulation, but it is possible. If you do not use contraceptive methods after childbirth, the likelihood of re-pregnancy is quite high. Studies have shown that up to 80% of all women who have recently given birth are faced with a situation where ovulation was already before the very first menstrual bleeding.
Studies have also shown that sexual activity after childbirth is characteristic of 95% of modern women. For many, contraception after childbirth is a responsibility for their health, the future of their family. It is known that almost a third of those who have recently given birth go to the doctor for help (artificially interruption of bearing) already in the first year after the appearance of the baby in the family. But only 35% of new mothers are ready to become pregnant again. Therefore, by the end of the second month after the birth, it is necessary to think over which protection option to choose so as not to encounter side effects. According to doctors, it should be maintained between childbirth from three years to five. Pregnant and preserving the embryo with a greater frequency of women are much more likely to experience complications. For them, the risk of death is higher - not only the child, but also the mother.
Where to begin?
As statistical studies, methods, means, methods of contraception after childbirth, preferred by a modern woman, show that they are barrier, since they do not affect the hormonal background, they are not guaranteed to have an effect on the baby through breast milk. At the same time, the best option is to choose an appointment with a doctor who previously takes blood tests. Almost a month and a half after the birth of the child (by surgery, by natural means), almost all women lead an active sex life. There is no dependence on the type of feeding the baby - with their own milk or an artificial product.
Neglecting pregnancy prevention methods, you can soon become a mother again. Proper selection is not just a method of preventing fertilization, but also a way to maintain health. True, at present there is no universal answer as to which contraception is best used after childbirth. You can not focus on menstrual bleeding, as a sign of restoration of the ability to ovulate. Turning to the doctor for the selection of the optimal path, you will have to talk about all the features of sexual activity. The doctor will be guided by the way in which a woman feeds a child.
Feeding and protection
If a woman has chosen to breast-feed her baby, it should be especially responsible to choose effective methods of contraception after childbirth, but the easiest way is for those who do not breast-feed the baby. In this situation, you need to visit a doctor and start taking special medications during the first three weeks after the birth of the baby. Additionally, the doctor may recommend agents that block milk production. Such recommendations can be based not only on the individual desires of the patient, but also justified by other factors. For example, if HIV infection is detected, a week after the birth of the baby, it is necessary to start using special formulations to block lactation. Taking these drugs activates the activity of the pituitary gland, produces gonadotropic compounds, so ovulation is observed faster. This requires a special approach to the choice of contraceptive methods.
As can be seen from the expert advice, contraception after childbirth is carried out by different methods. They take into account how the chosen drug can affect the baby if a woman is breastfeeding, assessing the patient's age, pathology, and individual wishes of the client. It is necessary to analyze how high the likelihood of complications, side effects, how effective in a particular case this or that option is to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.
Choose: yes, from which
Currently, on the shelves of pharmacies there is a huge variety of drugs used as contraception after childbirth. The “stop” of pregnancy is not necessary to speak in such a radical way as a complete rejection of intimate contact. Many prefer, for example, natural paths. True, it is not so simple as usual. Do not rely on the power of habit and previous experience. It is wise to consult a doctor. First, they take mucus samples, examine the composition, on the basis of which they formulate a special calendar for calculating the ovulatory period. Additionally, it is necessary to control the basal temperature. This approach is as safe as possible for a woman’s health, does not affect milk, allows lactation to continue without restrictions, but requires care and accuracy in everyday life.
Analyzing the methods considered the best , methods of contraception after childbirth, it is worth paying attention to amenorrhea. In medicine, the approach called MDA extends to the period of breastfeeding. It will not be superfluous to study the possibilities of non-hormonal options - barrier contraception, intrauterine devices. The most reliable method is hormonal drugs of the combined type, but not all of them are suitable.
Natural way
This option does not suggest any side effects, negative factors. On the other hand (especially in comparison with pills), natural contraception after childbirth shows a rather low result - up to half of all cases end in an unplanned conception. The reason is quite simple: to interpret the results of the study, adhere to the calendar, take into account changes in each particular cycle is quite difficult, it is easy to make a mistake. The situation is especially problematic immediately after childbirth, since normal cyclicity has not yet been restored. Basal temperature is highly dependent on periods of sleep and wakefulness, and when breastfeeding a woman does not sleep at night constantly, which has a strong effect. The calendar method is a rather difficult approach to detect when the menstrual cycle returns to normal, which period is most likely to ovulate.
Abstinence is another option of contraception after childbirth during breastfeeding, not associated with side effects. It is reliable, and you can resort to it in absolutely any period of life. The essence of the approach is the complete exclusion of sexual contact. True, this is a fairly tough path, so it is not suitable for everyone. The lack of sexual contact for most modern families is completely unacceptable. The abstinence approach is currently used by most women solely as a temporary measure.
MLA
This is the best option for contraception after childbirth in the first six months after the birth of the baby. It is suitable if between feedings the time intervals are no more than four hours, and at night within six. True, there is an opinion that MDA is effective only when three hours pass from feeding to feeding (without reference to the time of day). MDA is applicable if menstruation has not yet begun. If the bleeding has already been completed and started again, and no more than 56 days have passed since the moment of birth, then this is not considered to be menstrual, but only a form of restoration of the reproductive system after the birth of the baby.
MLA is applicable when a woman is breastfeeding a child in full or this method is the main one, and feeding is only small, the baby receives 85% of all the nutritional components with the mother's product.
How it works?
Postpartum contraception using MDA technology involves controlling the level of prolactin in the circulatory system. At the same time, the number of gonadotropic hormonal compounds is reduced. This is due to the activity of mammary glands producing secrets. Regular nipple irritation that accompanies natural feeding stimulates just such a hormonal system, accompanied by a slow recovery of cyclic reproductive processes. The egg grows, matures much more slowly.
When deciding on what type of protection (contraception) to choose after childbirth, it is necessary to remember that MDA is accessible and safe for any mother who is breastfeeding, does not depend on sexual activity, does not lead to side effects, is effective for the first six months (studies show a level of 98 %). At the same time, internal systems regenerate faster, and a baby has stronger immunity, supported by immunoglobulins that enter through a natural nutritious product. This reduces the likelihood of allergies. It is worth noting the relative cheapness of the approach.
Weaknesses
MDA, as a way of contraception after childbirth, requires the mother to constantly be near the child and adhere to the feeding time. This is especially difficult if natural milk is not produced enough. Problems can be caused by lifestyle: if a woman studies, works, it is difficult to combine this with constant feeding. In addition, the method is effective only the first six months, and sometimes even less - that is, immediately after childbirth and until the restoration of menstrual cyclicity.
Since MDA is not a barrier technology of contraception after childbirth, this approach cannot protect a woman from becoming infected during sexual intercourse. There is a risk of infection with immunodeficiency viruses, herpes, you can get another disease transmitted in this way. Choosing an MLA for yourself, you must understand in advance that this is only a temporary solution, and soon you will have to switch to a more permanent and reliable option.
Dangerous moment
Adhering to MDA, as the main method of contraception after childbirth, it is necessary to realize that the risk of conception is great when the baby is complementary, the menstrual cycle is restored, and the feeding regimen changes. If there is still no menstruation, but after six months have passed, the MDA completely loses its effectiveness.
Developing the theme
The above methods are a natural approach that does not require the use of pharmacy drugs. All alternative routes can affect the health of women and children, the quality of milk produced by the mammary glands. You should consult a doctor and only on the basis of his recommendations make a final decision.
Many dwell on the barrier method, as effective and safe. A similar solution is intrauterine devices to prevent conception. If a spiral is selected, then it must be put in the first two days after the birth of the child - this is a safe procedure. If the event was not held immediately, you can return to it only two months after the birth. It is necessary to remember the likelihood of an arbitrary loss of a contraceptive. In addition, the spiral can provoke inflammation in the pelvic organs.
Alternative option
The barrier method is condoms, whose level of effectiveness, as tests have shown, reaches 85%, tablets, films, foams, gels. All such products, except for condoms, are effective up to 70% or less. Some people prefer to use caps, diaphragms, female condoms, but such approaches are not very popular. The advantage of classical barrier contraception (male condom) in the absence of negative effects on the female body, so nothing affects either milk or hormonal levels. At the same time, the item is absolutely sterile, so there is no risk of infection. Special products supplemented with a lubricant are suitable for those who suffer from increased dryness of the mucous membranes - this condition is characteristic of many women during breastfeeding.
Barrier methods to prevent conception should not be used if allergic reactions to latex are detected. Spermicides, the diaphragm are unacceptable if there is a risk of HIV infection. In addition, the use of a diaphragm can cause toxic shock. If in the past there was already such a situation, the repeated use of the method is strictly prohibited.
Oral contraception
This approach has recently been particularly popular. Its logic is in the effect on the concentration in the body of progesterone, estrogen. True, drugs can affect the quality of milk produced by the glands, change its composition, or even lead to the inability to produce a product. Oral contraceptives are recommended for women who choose artificial feeding of the child. When breastfeeding, it is better to resort to pills six months after childbirth and later.
If artificial feeding is chosen, contraceptives should be taken as early as three weeks after birth, since only at this point the normal level of blood coagulation is restored. It is known that hormonal pills can provoke the formation of blood clots, therefore their use ahead of time is associated with a certain risk not only for the health, but also for the life of the woman in labor.
Hormonal contraception: what happens?
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