Earliest Time That a Woman Can Start a Family Planning Method After Childbirth

Family Planning Method	Fully or Nearly Fully Breastfeeding	Partially Breastfeeding or Not Breastfeeding
Lactational Amenorrhea Method	Immediately	(Not applicable)
Vasectomy	Immediately or during partner's pregnancy^‡
Male or female condoms Spermicides	Immediately
Progestin-only pills Implants	Immediately
Copper-bearing IUD Levonorgestrel IUD	Within 48 hours. Otherwise wait 4 weeks.
Female sterilization	Within 7 days. Otherwise wait 6 weeks.
Progesterone-releasing vaginal ring	4–9 weeks postpartum	If breastfeeding at least 4 times a day, start at 4–9 weeks postpartum Not breastfeeding: Does not apply
Diaphragm	Can be fitted 6 weeks after childbirth
Fertility awareness methods	Start when normal secretions have returned (for symptoms-based methods) or she has had 3 regular menstrual cycles (for calendar-based methods). This will be later for breastfeeding women than for women who are not breastfeeding.
Progestin-only injectables	6 weeks after childbirth^§	Immediately if not breastfeeding^§ 6 weeks after childbirth if partially breastfeeding^§
Combined oral contraceptives	6 months after childbirth^§	21 days after childbirth if not breastfeeding^§ 6 weeks after childbirth if partially breastfeeding^§
Monthly injectables
Combined patch
Combined vaginal ring

‡ If a man has a vasectomy during the first 6 months of his partner’s pregnancy, it will be effective by the time she delivers her baby.

§ Earlier use is not usually recommended unless other, more appropriate methods are not available or not acceptable.

Family Planning