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Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers

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Family Planning

A GLOBAL HANDBOOK FOR PROVIDERS

Planning for Family Planning After Delivery

Help pregnant women and new mothers decide how they will avoid pregnancy after childbirth. Ideally, family planning counseling should start during antenatal care.

  • Waiting until her baby is at least 2 years old before a woman tries to become pregnant again is best for the baby and good for the mother, too.
  • A woman who is not fully or nearly fully breastfeeding is able to become pregnant as soon as 4 to 6 weeks after childbirth.
  • A woman who is fully or nearly fully breastfeeding is able to become pregnant as soon as 6 months postpartum (see Lactational Amenorrhea Method).
  • For maximum protection, a woman should not wait until the return of monthly bleeding to start a contraceptive method, but instead she should start as soon as guidance allows (see Earliest Time That a Woman Can Start a Family Planning Method After Childbirth).