After a woman becomes a mother, she does not cease to be interested in marital duties. Therefore, after giving birth, many people think about what contraceptives for women during breastfeeding will be optimal.
In the article, we will consider whether it is possible to use hormonal drugs or whether it is better to prefer barrier methods. There is an opinion that during lactation it is possible not to protect yourself at all.
Why shouldn't you get pregnant for the second time in a row?
If a young mother has not encountered serious problems during pregnancy, then she sees nothing wrong if this period comes 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? They should be thought about before decidingwhether to use contraceptives while breastfeeding or not.
After pregnancy, the body recovers for about 2-3 years. Pregnancy before the expiration of this period can lead to miscarriage or early birth. In addition, the periods of gestation and feeding are quite difficult to experience psychologically, so a second pregnancy after the first one can lead to depression. As already described above, if a woman conceives before the body is fully restored, there is a possibility of late toxicosis. In addition, the baby may develop poorly and with insufficient body weight. It is quite difficult to take care of two small children, even if there are helpers in the form of grandmothers and a husband. The older child is deprived of the attention of the mother too early, in addition, it is often necessary to reduce feeding. If the mother is placed in storage, then the baby may experience psychological trauma. After a caesarean section, the suture may come apart due to repeated pregnancy.
Some women think an abortion is a great option. Even if the birth was natural, the uterus might not fully recover. Therefore, the impact of abortion can be serious - up to infertility. If a caesarean section was performed, then this procedure is contraindicated.
Medicated abortion is considered less dangerous. However, it needs to be done on time, but due to the fact that a woman has to take care of an older child, she can easily miss the early signs of pregnancy. Another disadvantage: many women who have given birth are psychologically difficult to endureabortion. It is not uncommon for a medical procedure to stop breastfeeding.
That's why it's important to protect yourself after giving birth.
When to start using contraceptives?
In the first weeks after childbirth, it is forbidden to have sex even in those cases when the process went as favorably as possible: without incisions and tears, sutures. The reason is that in any case, microcracks appear in the vagina, into which an 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 activity 2 months after childbirth. However, before that, you should go to the doctor so that he confirms a complete recovery. At the same time, it would be useful to discuss with him which contraceptives can be used while breastfeeding.
Lactational amenorrhea
What is this process? Many women are afraid of amenorrhea, believing that it 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. It is needed in order to ensure the feeding of the baby. However, this process does not occur for everyone. For amenorrhea to occur, you need to feed the child on demand, including at night, without supplementing with anything.others. Some contraceptives during breastfeeding can suppress this process, while others can cause it.
Even if menstruation has not yet begun, you should not hope for the onset of amenorrhea. Ovulation occurs before the period, so there is a high chance of getting pregnant.
Hormonal drugs
The most effective method of contraception is hormonal. They provide 99% guarantee. Previously, medicine forbade the use of oral contraceptives during breastfeeding, but today they are allowed. Doctors often recommend birth control pills.
It is forbidden to choose a drug on your own. 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 drugs pass into milk. Moreover, they are able to reduce secretion production, 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 pills that contain progesterone or progestogen. These drugs do not affect the child and the secretion of milk. However, you need to take the funds every day at the same time. If you miss even one dose, you can get pregnant.
What can replace hormonal contraceptives while breastfeeding? Doctors recommend using capsules that are injected under the skin, andbirth control injections.
Both the first option and the second are considered very effective. They work 99%. Their advantage lies in the fact that every day they do not need to be remembered like pills. Injections are given every 8-12 weeks, and the capsules last up to 5 years.
What are the disadvantages of hormonal drugs? They can cause bleeding between periods, provoke heavy bleeding during them, and are not able to protect against sexually transmitted infections. Moreover, immediately after stopping the drug, most likely, you will not be able to get pregnant.
Emergency contraceptives while breastfeeding are also allowed. They are another type of hormonal agents. Similar drugs are called "Postinor" and "Escapel". They contain levonorgestrel, it does not affect breast milk. However, doctors do not recommend using this method all the time.
Progestogenic 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-pills 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 deteriorates. The endometrium changes its structure. Even if fertilization occurs, the embryo will not be able to attach to the uterine wall. If you use mini pillspermanently, endometrial atrophy will occur. This process is reversible, so don't worry.
The above "Laktinet" and "Charozetta" are considered analogues. The package contains 28 tablets. Taken one per day. Breaks are not taken. The tablet should be taken at the same time.
Laktinet
Laktinet tablets are excellent contraceptives for breastfeeding. You can use them after childbirth after six weeks. The product does not affect the composition of milk. It is as safe as possible and does not affect the baby.
Side effects include prolonged periods, breast tenderness, decreased desire, decreased mood, weight gain.
Even with the negative side effects, this drug is considered popular. Why? It has some advantages over combined agents. This remedy can be drunk for those who have varicose veins, heart disease. Mini-pills do not affect the formation of blood clots. Of the minuses, an increase in the likelihood of an ectopic pregnancy, as well as the formation of ovarian cysts, should be noted.
Intrauterine device
If the birth went naturally, without a caesarean section, then a spiral can be used. It is established 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 as early as 6 weeks after birth. As a rule, it is not necessary to use contraceptives earlier. But if a woman has begun sexual activity earlier, then it is better to use barrier contraceptives during this period during breastfeeding.breastfeeding without using hormones.
Mirena
Levonorgestrel comes off this helix. It belongs to the gestagens, so it can be used during 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. The installation and removal of the coil should be done by a gynecologist.
For breastfeeding women, this is a good method. However, in the first three months, depression, cycle disorders, lack of menstruation, bleeding may develop.
Barrier methods of contraception
Doctors allow the use of barrier contraceptives during breastfeeding. These include condoms, spermicides, caps, and diaphragms. All of them are easy to use. They are able to protect not only from pregnancy, but also from infections, which is very important after childbirth. In order for the effectiveness to be high, only high-quality products should be used. Caps and diaphragms must be fully sized for the uterus and vagina.
Spermicides are best used with other methods at the same time, as they are not very effective. They are creams, gels, suppositories. Examples: Sterimin, Zhinofilm and others.
Calendar method
The best contraceptivefor women who are breastfeeding, there will be one of the described methods. Don't trust the calendar too much. This method is suitable only for those who have a regular cycle. After giving birth, it will take some time to recover, so you can accidentally get pregnant.
Contraceptive suppositories
If it is not possible to take oral remedies, then you can use candles. However, due to chemical exposure, they can destroy the microflora of the vagina, therefore, they often cannot be used.
Candles are not considered a popular method due to the fact that sexual intercourse is tied to the time when the remedy will work. The same should be attributed to hygiene procedures, since a shower can only be taken after a certain time. However, if time constraints 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 about it. 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.
Results
The best contraceptives to use while breastfeeding are pills, condoms, spiral. The main thing is to consult a doctor who will accurately select an effective remedy. Only combined drugs are considered prohibited. They cause side effects that affect mother and baby.
