Pregnancy After Childbirth? Why You Should Schedule An Obstetrics Practice Visit Right Away

Posted on: 9 September 2022

Do you need postpartum birth control? You recently had a baby—and aren't ready to immediately add to your family again. If you want to prevent a second pregnancy, take a look at why you need to schedule an obstetrics practice visit and how to talk to your doctor about birth control options.

Do You Need Birth Control in the Postpartum Period?  

Can you get pregnant almost immediately after giving birth? This question isn't always easy to answer. It's not likely that you've resumed sexual activity right after giving birth. Your doctor should provide you with instructions on when it is safe to have intercourse after delivery. Even if you wait for the recommended period, you may not feel physically comfortable having sex yet. 

If you are abstinent right now, you won't get pregnant—whether you are on birth control or not. But if there's any chance that you could have sex, it is possible to get pregnant right away. The ability to conceive after pregnancy depends on when you start to ovulate again. According to a 2011 study published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, most nonlactating women will start ovulating around six weeks postpartum. Some women in the study did resume ovulation earlier, making it possible to get pregnant sooner. 

Which Birth Control Is Right for You? 

There is no right birth control or the best option that works for every woman. You are an individual. This means you have different reproductive, health, emotional, and social needs than other women might have. The first step to finding the right birth control is a visit to the OB's office. Your obstetrician knows your medical and pregnancy history. The doctor can review your options and help you to choose the best method to fit your needs. 

Common birth control methods include hormonal and non-hormonal alternatives. Hormonal birth control includes the pill, hormonal intrauterine device (IUD), vaginal ring, birth control shot, and birth control patch. Popular non-hormonal options include the copper IUD, diaphragm, sponge, and condoms. Each method has a varying degree of effectiveness (provided you use it correctly). Some options are not advisable immediately after childbirth, while others are easy to use at any time. 

What Happens if You Change Your Mind?

Even though you don't want another pregnancy right now, your feelings could change in the near future. This makes it important to talk to your OB about your overall reproductive health and family planning or spacing before you select one birth control method. Some hormonal types of birth control may make it more difficult to get pregnant immediately or whenever you want. But you won't have this issue with non-hormonal methods. 

Share