Contraception after pregnancy

Using effective contraceptive methods following the birth of a child supports you to plan for your future. Thinking about the type of contraception you can use after the birth of your baby is important for the health of you, your baby and other children you may have. Pregnancy is a time for preparing for birth and the care of the newborn. It is also the ideal time to start thinking about contraception.

After birth

Birth spacing is the time between one birth and another. Some people begin pre-natal planning immediately post-pregnancy. Other people prefer to wait for a number of months or years before they have another child. 

When birth spacing between children is more than 2-3 years health risks related to the second pregnancy are reduced. Birth spacing time allows the mother to restore her health, weight, and to regain iron and folate levels. Contraceptive choices can be used to support birth spacing and encourage better health outcomes for both the mother, or pregnant person, and baby. 

After stillbirth or termination 

If you have recently experienced a stillbirth or termination of pregnancy, you may also be considering trying new contraceptive methods. 

You can speak to your doctor about contraception at the time of termination, including the insertion of contraceptive devices. 

Future pregnancies 

If you decide you would like to become pregnant, you can stop using contraceptives. You could get pregnant straight away with usual fertility returning within 1-3 months depending on the contraceptive type. Speak to your doctor to decide what is the best option if you would like to get pregnant in the near future.

When can I start? 

There are many myths about when contraceptives can and cannot be used following pregnancy. Most contraceptive methods can be started immediately. If you choose an IUD or a contraceptive implant, you can have it inserted on the same day as the delivery or termination. It can be useful to plan in advance for a contraceptive insertion. 

The table below provides a guide as to how long after pregnancy a new contraceptive method can be started. Keep in mind that these methods may not be effective immediately. 

 Anytime after birth or termination 

Contraceptive		Contraceptive Insertion or Start Time
Method	Effectiveness	After birth and with postnatal breastfeeding	After birth without postnatal breastfeeding	Termination of pregnancy within 24 weeks (miscarriage or medical abortion)	Termination of pregnancy after 24 weeks (stillbirth or surgical abortion)
Contraceptive Implant	99.9%
Vasectomy	99.9%
Hormonal Intrauterine Device	99.8%	Within 48 hours of delivery or after 4 weeks.	Within 48 hours of delivery or after 4 weeks.		Within 48 hours of delivery or after 4 weeks.
Copper Intrauterine Device	99.2%	Within 48 hours of delivery or after 4 weeks.	Within 48 hours of delivery or after 4 weeks.		Within 48 hours of delivery or after 4 weeks.
Tubal Ligation	98-99.5%	Not recommended for at least 6 weeks.	Not recommended for at least 6 weeks.	Not recommended for at least 6 weeks.	Not recommended for at least 6 weeks.
Contraceptive Injection	94%
Contraceptive Ring	91%	6 months after birth.	6 months after birth.
Daily Combined Hormone Contraceptive Pill	91%	6 months after birth.	6 months after birth.
Daily Progestogen Contraceptive Pill	91%
Diaphragm	88%	Not recommended for at least 6 weeks.	Not recommended for at least 6 weeks.	Not recommended for at least 6 weeks.	Not recommended for at least 6 weeks.
Emergency Contraceptive Pill	85%
External Condom	82%
Internal Condom	79%
Lactation Amenorrhoea Method	78%	Immediately.	N/A	N/A	N/A
Fertility Awareness Methods	75-99%
No PIV Activity	-

Support and Advice

You can visit a reproductive and sexual health clinic or your GP for a prenatal contraceptive consultation, discuss birth spacing, or seek advice related to recovery following a pregnancy or termination. 

More about hormonesReproduction & Contraception Further Support & Advice