Contraception after birth and during breast-feeding

After having a baby (vaginally or by caesarean section), ovulation will occur before the first period you have after giving birth. It is therefore possible to get pregnant again before you have your first period. Pregnancy may occur from six weeks after giving birth, even if you are breastfeeding.

After giving birth, use contraception from the first time you have sex if you want to avoid another pregnancy.

The following contraceptive methods are compatible with breastfeeding. Find more details about them on the website www.sexandfacts.ch

• The progestogen-only pill (mini-pill)
• The implant under the skin
• The male or female condom
• The copper or progesterone IUD
• The quarterly injection
• The diaphragm
• The symptothermal method

Remarks

• Emergency contraception can be used during breastfeeding.
• For women who are not breastfeeding or who are stopping breastfeeding, other methods of contraception may be used. Speak to your doctor about this.

In the first weeks after giving birth, breastfeeding can delay the return of your period and can therefore prevent a further pregnancy as long as the following conditions are met:

• You breastfeed intensively with a minimum of 6 feeds in 24 hours, of which one should be during the night.
• You breastfeed exclusively, with no bottle feeding of milk, herbal tea or water at all.
• Your period does not start again.

You are advised to consult a midwife or a doctor who has training in LAM (the lactational amenorrhoea method), known in Switzerland as MAMA, and to plan in advance which contraception you would like to use after you stop breastfeeding.

This method is not recommended for couples who definitely wish to avoid a further pregnancy during the period of breastfeeding.

Good to know

• Sexual intercourse can resume when individuals feel ready. Medically, sexual intercourse is possible when any tears have healed, or stitches have disappeared. If you have any problems, do not hesitate to get in touch with a midwife or a doctor. Further information
• The best way to protect yourself from HIV or other sexually transmitted infections is to practise safer sex:
  1. Always use a condom, male or female, for penetrative sex (vaginal or anal sex).
  2. For more personal sexual advice, do the safer sex check on www.lovelife.ch

2021, SANTÉ SEXUELLE SUISSE, Fondation suisse pour la santé sexuelle et reproductive; ALECSS Association suisse latine des spécialistes en santé sexuelle, Éducation – Formation – Conseil; faseg, Fachverband sexuelle Gesundheit in Beratung und Bildung