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 |
Immediately |
| Spermicides |
| Copper-bearing IUD |
Within 48 hours, otherwise wait 4 weeks |
| Female sterilization |
Within 7 days, otherwise wait 6 weeks |
| Levonorgestrel IUD |
4 weeks after childbirth |
| Diaphragm |
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 pills |
6 weeks after childbirth§ |
Immediately if not breastfeeding§
6 weeks after childbirth if partially breastfeeding§ |
| Progestin-only injectables |
| Implants |
| Combined oral contraceptives |
6 weeks 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.See also p. 129, Q&A 8.
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