An obstetrician and gynecologist, Dr. Luu D. Ireland helps women navigate pregnancy and labor. Additionally, Dr. Luu D. Ireland oversees patients’ postpartum care, and often advises on postpartum contraception.
Women who have recently given birth have a number of hormonal and nonhormonal options for contraception, and the best choice will vary according to their unique situations and preferences. One form of birth control commonly used postpartum is the mini-pill.
Unlike combination birth control pills, which contain both progestin and estrogen, the mini-pill contains only progestin. Doctors have long recommended the mini-pill for nursing mothers, since estrogen-containing pills were thought to interfere with milk production. While newer research has found that this might not be the case, the mini-pill is still a popular post-partum contraceptive. Women with certain health conditions, such as a tendency to develop blood clots, should not take pills containing estrogen, making the mini-pill the safer of the two pill types.
Women taking the mini-pill should keep in mind that they must take the pill at the same time each day to have the best protection against pregnancy. If they take the pill a few hours later than usual or miss a pill, they should use a backup method of birth control in accordance with doctor’s guidelines. In contrast, a woman taking a combination birth control pill has greater wriggle room for late or missed pills. A medical professional can provide additional information about the pros, cons, and safety of birth control pills postpartum, as well as other methods of contraception.
Women who have recently given birth have a number of hormonal and nonhormonal options for contraception, and the best choice will vary according to their unique situations and preferences. One form of birth control commonly used postpartum is the mini-pill.
Unlike combination birth control pills, which contain both progestin and estrogen, the mini-pill contains only progestin. Doctors have long recommended the mini-pill for nursing mothers, since estrogen-containing pills were thought to interfere with milk production. While newer research has found that this might not be the case, the mini-pill is still a popular post-partum contraceptive. Women with certain health conditions, such as a tendency to develop blood clots, should not take pills containing estrogen, making the mini-pill the safer of the two pill types.
Women taking the mini-pill should keep in mind that they must take the pill at the same time each day to have the best protection against pregnancy. If they take the pill a few hours later than usual or miss a pill, they should use a backup method of birth control in accordance with doctor’s guidelines. In contrast, a woman taking a combination birth control pill has greater wriggle room for late or missed pills. A medical professional can provide additional information about the pros, cons, and safety of birth control pills postpartum, as well as other methods of contraception.
