After a woman becomes a mother, she is no longer interested in marital duties. Therefore, after childbirth, many people think about which contraceptives for women during breastfeeding will be optimal.
In the article, we consider whether it is possible to use hormonal drugs or is it better to prefer barrier methods. It is believed that during lactation you can not be protected at all.
Why not get pregnant for the second time in a row?
If the young mother did not encounter serious problems during pregnancy, then she sees nothing wrong with this period again. This approach is quite acceptable, but you need to understand that it can negatively affect both the mother and the child. What problems can arise? You should think about them before deciding whether to use contraceptives for breastfeeding or not.
After pregnancy, the body recovers about 2-3 years. Pregnancy before this period can lead to miscarriage or early childbirth. In addition, the periods of gestation and feeding are quite difficult psychologically experienced, so the second pregnancy after the first can lead to depression. As already described above, if a woman conception occurs before the body is fully restored, there is a likelihood of late toxicosis. In addition, the baby can develop poorly and underweight. It is quite difficult to care for two young children, even if there are assistants in the form of grandmothers and a husband. An older child loses mother’s attention too early; moreover, it is often necessary to reduce feeding. If the mother is put to preservation, then the baby may experience psychological trauma. After a caesarean section, a suture may break due to repeated pregnancy.
Some women find abortion a good option. Even if the birth was natural, the uterus might not fully recover. Therefore, the impact of abortion can be serious - even infertility. If a cesarean section was performed, then this procedure is contraindicated.
Less dangerous is medical abortion. However, it must be done on time, but due to the fact that a woman has to look after her older child, she can easily miss the early signs of pregnancy. One more minus: many women who gave birth have a difficult psychological experience of abortion. Often, a medical procedure leads to the cessation of breastfeeding.
That is why it is important to protect yourself after childbirth.
When to start using contraceptives?
In the first weeks after childbirth it is forbidden to have sex even in those cases when the process was as favorable as possible: without cuts and tears, sutures. The reason is that in any case, microcracks occur in the vagina, into which the infection can get. The uterus itself is also inflamed, so you can bring the virus.
The recovery process lasts about a month. Doctors recommend returning to sexual life 2 months after giving birth. However, before this, you should go to the doctor to confirm full recovery. At the same time, it will be useful to discuss with him what contraceptives can be used for breastfeeding.
Lactational amenorrhea
What is this process? Many women are afraid of amenorrhea, believing that this is some kind of disease. However, this is not true. Lactational amenorrhea is a process that occurs after the start of breastfeeding. This method is considered natural contraception, in which the hormones necessary for ovulation are directed to the production of prolactin. He is needed in order to ensure the feeding of the baby. However, this process does not occur at all. In order for amenorrhea to occur, you need to feed the child on demand, including at night, without feeding anything else. Some contraceptives with breastfeeding can suppress this process, while others can cause it.
Even if menstruation has not yet begun, it is not worth hoping for the onset of amenorrhea. Ovulation occurs earlier than menstruation, so there is a great chance to get pregnant.
Hormonal drugs
The most effective method of contraception is considered hormonal. They provide a 99% guarantee. Previously, medicine forbade the use of oral contraceptives for breastfeeding, but at the moment they are allowed. Doctors often recommend birth control pills.
It is forbidden to pick up a drug for yourself. This is due not only to the fact that the remedy may not be suitable for a woman, but also to the fact that some drugs are incompatible with breastfeeding. It is forbidden to drink drugs with estrogen and progesterone. These medicines pass into milk. Moreover, they are able to reduce the secretion, so there may be problems with feeding. Today, many drugs are considered popular, but they cannot be used when feeding if they contain estrogen.
You can drink only those tablets that contain progestron or gestagen. These drugs do not affect the baby and the secretion of milk. However, you need to take funds every day at the same time. If you miss at least one reception, you can get pregnant.
What can replace hormonal contraceptives during breastfeeding? Doctors recommend using capsules that are injected under the skin and birth control injections.
Both the first option and the second are considered very effective. They are 99% effective. Their advantage is that every day you do not need to remember them, like tablets. Injections are done every 8-12 weeks, and the capsules last up to 5 years.
What are the disadvantages of hormones? They can cause bleeding between menstruation, provoke severe bleeding during them, are not able to protect against sexually transmitted infections. Moreover, immediately after discontinuation of the drug, most likely, it will not work to get pregnant.
Emergency contraceptives during breastfeeding are also allowed. They are another type of hormone. Such drugs are called Postinor and Escapel. They include levonorgestrel, it does not affect breast milk. However, doctors do not recommend using this method all the time.
Gestagen contraceptives
Representatives of such funds are Lactinet and Charozetta. They contain progesterone. Unlike other oral contraceptives, they weakly suppress ovulation. Only in 30% of women this method works.
How do mini drank work? Such contraceptives during breastfeeding increase the viscosity of mucus in the cervix, reduce the activity of the fallopian tubes. Due to this, sperm motility worsens. The endometrium changes its structure. Even if fertilization happens, the fetus cannot attach to the uterine wall. If you use mini-saws constantly, then endometrial atrophy will occur. This process is reversible, so do not worry.
The above “Lactinet” and “Charozetta” are considered analogues. There are 28 tablets in a pack. It is taken one per day. No breaks are made. The tablet should be drunk at the same time.
Lactinet
Lactinet tablets are excellent contraceptives for breastfeeding. You can use them after childbirth in six weeks. The product does not affect the composition of milk. It is as safe as possible and does not affect the baby.
Among the side effects are long periods, breast tenderness, decreased drive, decreased mood, and weight gain.
Even with negative side effects, this drug is considered popular. Why? It has some advantages over combination agents. This remedy can be drunk for those with varicose veins, heart disease. Mini drank do not affect blood clots. Of the minuses, an increase in the probability of an ectopic pregnancy, as well as the formation of ovarian cysts, should be noted.
Intrauterine device
If the birth took place naturally, without a caesarean section, then you can use a spiral. It is set for several years, does not affect the baby and breast milk. However, the spiral can lead to painful periods. It does not protect against infections.
You can install the spiral 6 weeks after giving birth. As a rule, there is no need to use contraceptives earlier. But if a woman began sexual activity earlier, then it is better to use barrier contraceptives during this period during breastfeeding, without using hormonal ones.
Mirena
The composition of this spiral is levonorgestrel. It belongs to progestogens, so it can be used for breastfeeding. The spiral inhibits the development of the endometrium, so after a while it atrophies (not forever). You can put it on those who have one sexual partner. It is installed for 5-7 years, so you do not have to constantly buy condoms and drink pills every day. Installation and removal of the spiral should be done by a gynecologist.
For women , breastfeeding is a good method. However, in the first three months, depression, cycle disorders, lack of menstruation, and bleeding may develop.
Barrier methods of contraception
Doctors allow the use of barrier contraceptives when breastfeeding. These include condoms, spermicides, caps and diaphragms. All of them are easy to use. They can protect not only from pregnancy, but also from infections, which is very important after childbirth. In order for efficiency to be high, only high-quality products should be used. Caps and diaphragms should fully match the size of the uterus and vagina.
Spermicides are best used with other methods at the same time, since they are not very effective. Are creams, gels, candles. Examples: Sterimin, Zhinofilm and others.
Calendar method
The best contraceptive for women with breastfeeding will be one of the methods described. Do not trust the calendar much. This method is only suitable for those with a regular cycle. After giving birth, he will recover for some time, so you can accidentally get pregnant.
Birth control suppositories
If it is not possible to take oral agents, then candles can be used. However, due to chemical effects, they can destroy the microflora of the vagina, respectively, often they can not be used.
Candles are not considered a popular method due to the fact that sexual intercourse is tied to the time when the remedy works. The same should be attributed to hygienic procedures, since a shower can be taken only after a certain time. However, if time limits do not bother you, you can use candles. They do not affect breastfeeding.
Sterilization
This method is considered effective, but irreversible. That is why you need to think it over. Under the influence of stress or other circumstances, you should not make such a decision. If there is any doubt, it is better to refuse sterilization.
Summary
It is best to use contraceptives for breastfeeding such as pills, condoms, and a spiral. The main thing is to consult a doctor who will select the most effective remedy. Only combination drugs are considered prohibited. They cause side effects that negatively affect mom and baby.