Is breastfeeding a natural means of contraception?
You are breastfeeding your baby and you want to find a sex life without taking the risk of starting a new pregnancy.Is breastfeeding a reliable way not to be pregnant again?And if you take a contraception, which is compatible with breastfeeding?We take stock.
Breastfeeding and natural contraception: What is the MAMA method, or exclusive breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding as contraception
Under certain conditions, breastfeeding may have a contraceptive effect up to 6 months after childbirth.This method of natural contraception, called mama (breastfeeding method and amenorrhea)) is not 100%reliable, but it can operate for a few months on conditions that all these criteria are respected to the letter.Its principle: under certain conditions, breastfeeding produces enough prolactin, a hormone that will block ovulation, making a new pregnancy impossible.
The MAMA method, instructions for use
The MAMA method implies strict compliance with the following conditions:
- You are breastfeeding your infant exclusively within,
- Breastfeeding is daily: day and night, with at least 6 to 10 feeds per day,
- The feeds are not spaced more than 6 hours at night, and 4 hours during the day,
-You have not yet had the return of diapers, that is to say the return of your rules.
Is the MAMA method reliable?
Betting on exclusive breastfeeding as a means of contraception can be a tempting perpective ... but we must keep in mind that it has the risk ... of being pregnant again.If you really do not want to start a new pregnancy, it is better to turn to (re)) taking a reliable contraceptive means, which will be issued to you by your midwife or doctor.
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What contraceptive during breastfeeding?
In general, after childbirth, ovulation resumes around the 4th week when you do not go, and up to 6 months after birth according to the mode of breastfeeding.It is therefore necessary to anticipate the return to contraception, if you do not want a new pregnancy immediately.Your midwife, or your doctor, may prescribe a micro-dosed pill, compatible with breastfeeding, as soon as maternity is leaving.But it is generally during the postnatal consultation with the gynecologist that the contraception mode is decided.This appointment, a control consultation, makes it possible to draw up a post-delivery gynecological assessment.It takes place around 6th week after your baby is born.Supported 100% by Social Security, it gives you the opportunity to take an overview of the different contraception modes:
- The contraceptive patch pill (this is not recommended when breastfeeding))- the vaginal ring- intrauterine devices (IUD- or sterilet)) hormonal or copper,- diaphragm, cervical cape-or barrier methods, such as condoms and certain spermicids.
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Breastfeeding and oral contraceptives
Rules and breastfeeding
After childbirth, the resumption of ovulation is not effective at least before the 21st day.The rules are generally back 6 to 8 weeks after childbirth.This is called the return of diapers.But when we are breastfeeding, it's different!Infants feeding stimulating prolactin secretion, a hormone that slows ovulation, and therefore resumption of the menstrual cycle.This is why, it is frequent that the rules do not return before the end of breastfeeding or within three months consecutive to childbirth.But beware of ovulation, which occurs 2 weeks before the period of rules, and that it will be necessary to anticipate by a contraceptive mode.
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The MAMA method is not 100%reliable, because it is frequent that all the conditions it requires are not met.If you want to avoid a new pregnancy, it is better to turn to contraception prescribed by your doctor, or midwife.Breastfeeding does not contravene the use of contraception.
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How to avoid getting pregnant during breastfeeding?
There are two types of pills: combined pills and progestogens.It is your doctor, midwife or gynecologist who are qualified to prescribe this contraceptive method.It takes into account: your breastfeeding, the venous thromboembolic risk which is more important in the first weeks of postpartum, and the possible pathologies which occurred during pregnancy (gestational diabetes, phlebitis...)).
There are two main categories of pills:
- la pilule œstroprogestative (ou pilule combinée)) contient un œstrogène et un progestatif.Like the contraceptive patch and the vaginal ring, it is not recommended during breastfeeding and within 6 months of childbirth when you are breastfeeding, because it tends to reduce lactation.If, thereafter, it is prescribed by your doctor, it will take into account the risks of thrombosis, diabetes and possibly smoking and obesity.
- The progestogen pill contains only a synthetic progestin: deogestrel or levonorgestrel.When one of these two hormones is only present in small quantities, it is said that the pill is microdosed.If you are breastfeeding, you can use this progestogen pill from the 21st day after your delivery, on prescription of your midwife or your doctor.
For one or the other of these pills, only a health professional is empowered to prescribe the best method of contraception if you are breastfeeding.The pills are issued in pharmacies, only on prescription.
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Microprogestative pills, like other pills, include a daily socket at a fixed time.You will have to take care not to be more than 3 hours late in the take for the Levonorgestrel, and 12 hours for the Déogestrel.FYI: there is no break between the platelets, we continue continuously with another brochure.
-In case of menstrual disorders, do not stop your contraceptive without the advice of the doctor, but speak to him.- diarrhea, vomiting and certain drugs may have an impact of efficiency on your pill.In doubt, do not hesitate to consult.- Practice: Upon presentation of a prescription of less than one year, you can have your oral contraceptive renewed for an additional 6 months.
Remember to always anticipate well and plan several plates of your pill in advance in your pharmacy cabinet.Likewise if you go on a trip abroad.
À lire aussiBreastfeeding and emergency contraception
In case of forgetting your pill or unprotected report, your pharmacist will be able to deliver a pill the next day.It is important to explain to him that you are breastfeeding your baby, even if this emergency contraceptive is not contraindicated in case of breastfeeding.On the other hand, consult your doctor quickly to take stock of your cycle and the normal resumption of your pill.
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Pill or implant?
Other contraception solutions may be offered, in the absence of contraindications, during your breastfeeding.
- an implant with the stonestrel, by subcutaneous route.It is generally effective for 3 years when there is no overweight or obesity.On the other hand, this system is often the cause of menstrual disorders and, in rare cases, the implant can migrate and create complications.
- contraceptive injection - also based on hormones - which is administered quarterly.But its use must be limited in time, because there are cases of venous thrombosis and weight gain.
Quand mettre un stérilet (DIU)) après l'accouchement ?
Uterilet and breastfeeding
Les stérilets, que l'on connaît aussi sous le nom de dispositifs intra-utérins (DIU)) peuvent être de deux sortes : stérilet au cuivre ou stérilet hormonal.Whether you are breastfeeding or not, we can ask for their installation from 4 weeks after childbirth by low way, and 12 weeks after a cesarean section.There is no contraindication to continue breastfeeding after the installation of a IUD, or IUD.
These devices have a duration of action which varies from 4 to 10 years for the Ciu to copper, and up to 5 years for the Hormonal IUD.On the other hand, as soon as the rules return, you may see that your flow is greater in the event of a copper IUD, or almost absent with a hormonal IUD.It is recommended to check the right installation 1 to 3 months after the implantation of the IUD, during a visit to the gynecologist, and to consult in case of pain, bleeding or unexplained fever.
À lire aussiOther postpartum contraception modes: barrier methods
If you do not take the pill or you do not agree to have a IUD, stay vigilant!Unless you want a second pregnancy very quickly or did not resume sex, you can turn to:
- the male condoms which must be used with each report and which can be reimbursed on medical prescription.- the diaphragm or the cervical cape, usable in combination with certain spermicides, but only from 42 days after childbirth,
If you already use a diaphragm before your pregnancy, it is necessary to have your size reassembled by your gynecologist.Spermicides are bought in pharmacies without medical prescription.Consult your pharmacist.
À lire aussiContraception: can we trust natural methods?
What means of natural contraception?
If you are ready to embark on an unscheduled pregnancy, know that there are so -called natural methods of contraception, but whose failure rate is high and which involve sometimes binding vigilance behaviors. Il faut d'ailleurs attendre le retour des règles (au moins 3 cycles)) si vous souhaitez vraiment les appliquer.
Natural contraception methods:
- The Billings method: this is based on the careful observation of the cervical mucus.Its appearance: fluid or elastic, can give indications on the ovulation period.But beware, this perception is very random because the cervical mucus can be changed according to other factors such as a vaginal infection.
- La méthode du retrait : on pointe un taux d'échec de la méthode du retrait assez élevé (22%)) car le liquide pré-séminal peut transporter des spermatozoïdes et le partenaire ne parvient pas toujours à maîtriser son éjaculation.
- The temperature method: it is also called sympotothermic method, which claims to identify the ovulation period as a function of temperature variations and the consistency of the mucus.Very restrictive, it requires scrupulously checking its temperature on a daily basis and at a fixed time.The moment when it amounts from 0.2 to 0.4 ° C may indicate that of ovulation.But this method requires abstain from any report before and after ovulation, because sperm can survive several days in the genital system.Temperature intake therefore remains an unreliable method, and conditioned on multiple factors.
-The Ogino-Knauss method: this consists in practicing a periodic abstinence between the 10th and 21st day of the cycle, which requires knowing its cycle perfectly.A hazardous bet since ovulation can sometimes be unpredictable.
In summary, these natural contraception methods do not protect you from a new pregnancy, whether you are breastfeeding or not.
Source: High Authority for Health (HAS))
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