1. Give pills |
- Give as many packs as possible—even as much as a year’s supply (11 packs of 35 pills each or 13 packs of 28 pills each).
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2. Explain pill pack |
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3. Give key instruction |
- Take one pill each day—until the pack is empty.
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Women who are not breastfeeding should take a pill at the same time each day. Taking a pill more than 3 hours late makes it less effective.
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Discuss cues for taking a pill every day. Linking pill-taking to a daily activity—such as cleaning her teeth—may help her remember.
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4. Explain starting next pack |
- When she finishes one pack, she should take the first pill from the next pack on the very next day.
- It is very important to start the next pack on time. Starting a pack late risks pregnancy.
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5. Provide backup method and explain use |
- Sometimes she may need to use a backup method, such as when she misses pills or is late taking a pill.
- Backup methods include abstinence, male or female condoms, spermicides, and withdrawal. Tell her that spermicides and withdrawal are the least effective contraceptive methods. Give her condoms, if possible.
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6. Explain that effectiveness decreases when breastfeeding stops |
- Without the additional protection of breastfeeding itself, POPs are not as effective as most other hormonal methods.
- When she stops breastfeeding, she can continue taking POPs if she is satisfied with the method, or she is welcome to come back for another method.
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