Birth Control Basics for Moms

What's new and what's best for new moms

In this article:
The Pill
IUDs
Other Birth Control Methods
Sterilization
Natural Family Planning

With more choices of birth control methods available than ever, it's not too soon for a mom-to-be to start considering her options.

It might be hard to believe—especially if you're seven months pregnant with what feels like quintuplets, caring for a colicky infant, or just feeling about as desirable as sack of potatoes—but someday you're going to want to have sex again, which means now is a good time to start thinking about what method of birth control you'll want to use. Maybe your old method will work just fine, or perhaps you plan on nursing and want to try something hormone-free. Thankfully it seems a new birth control product hits the market each year (although we're still waiting on a pill for the guys!), so moms have more choices today than ever before. Here's a look at the basics to help you decide what will best fit your needs.

The Pill

Birth control pills (BCPs) have been used in the US for over 40 years. They have been clinically proven to be safe and effective, and are one of the most extensively studied medications in the US. The first birth control pill, Enovid, was introduced in 1960; and since then, over 45 brands have been released.

The pill enlists the help of two hormones: estrogen and progesterone. These hormones are synthetic versions of naturally occurring female hormones. And they work together to prevent ovulation. The two common type of pill packs are:

• 28-Day Packs: These include three weeks of active estrogen-progesterone pills, and one week of placebo pills (which are taken during your period).

• 21-Day Packs: These include three weeks of active estrogen-progesterone pills and no placebos.

The birth control pill is a very popular choice for contraception among women and is considered to be 99-percent effective when taken properly.

If you are nursing, your OB-GYN will recommend a progesterone-only pill (or mini pill) because this hormone won't interfere with your breast milk production or quality (the pills that contain a combination of progesterone and estrogen can decrease milk production and pass through the breast milk to your infant). When taken as directed, the mini pill is 97-percent effective.

IUDs

An intrauterine device (IUD) is ideal for some busy moms because it requires really no care or thought—you have it inserted and then forget about it. Even better, you should be able to get pregnant immediately after having an IUD removed. The efficacy rates of the following IUDs are about equal at 98- to 99-percent effective.

A progestin-releasing IUD (such as Mirena) administers the hormone progestin (about one-fifth the dose found in birth control pills), lasts for up to five years, and is as effective as sterilization in preventing pregnancy. In addition, it can reduce menstrual blood flow by up to 90-percent after a year, prevents menstrual cramps, and may even slow or prevent the growth of fibroid tumors of the uterus. It's also safe for nursing moms.

The copper IUD is a hormone-free, T-shaped device wrapped with a fine copper wire (Paraguard is a good example). The wire releases a tiny bit of copper (less than in the average daily diet), which immobilizes sperm and prevents fertilization. It will last for up to 10 years, making it very cost effective. Some copper IUDs can also be used as an emergency contraception method. There's a downside to the copper IUD in that it can increase cramping and bleeding, especially during the first year of use.