Your guide to contraception after birth

This leaflet explains the importance of using contraception straight after birth. It explains the different types that are available to you, and where you can get contraception from.

We hope this leaflet answers some of the questions you may have. If you have any further queries or concerns, please speak to your midwife or doctor.

Why do I need to use contraception straight after giving birth?

Current guidelines recommend a gap of at least 18 months between pregnancies. Getting pregnant too quickly after a previous pregnancy can increase your risk of complications. These can include premature birth, low birth weight, stillbirth, or death of your baby in the first 28 days.

You can start to ovulate as early as 3 weeks after giving birth. Do not wait for your periods to return to start using contraception, because you could get pregnant before then.

If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to your doctor or midwife.

What are the different types of contraception?

We understand that the first few weeks after giving birth are very busy and a special time for you. We hope this leaflet makes choosing the right contraception easy for you.

To help you with this conversation and your subsequent choice, we have listed below the different types of contraception available.

• Progesterone-only pill, also known as the mini pill

  • The mini pill contains the progesterone hormone.

  • It is a tablet you take once a day.

  • It can make your periods lighter.

  • It is safe to take while breastfeeding.

  • You can start taking this straight after birth.

  • If taken as instructed, the mini pill is effective in 91 in every 100 patients (91%).

• Combined-oral contraceptive pill

  • The combined pill contains the hormones progesterone and oestrogen.

  • It comes in a tablet, vaginal ring, or patch form.

  • You cannot start taking this until 6 weeks after giving birth.

  • It can make your periods lighter and less painful.

  • If taken as instructed, the combined pill is effective in 91 in every 100 patients (91%).

• Barrier methods

  • Barrier methods include condoms and diaphragms.

  • If used correctly, 82 to 88 out of every 100 patients (82 to 88%) find the barrier methods effective.

  • Barrier methods also protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

  • Condoms are available free of charge from sexual health clinics.

  • You can get diaphragms with spermicidal gel from your GP or sexual health clinic. If you used a diaphragm before this pregnancy, please see the practitioner who fitted it. You may need a different shape / size following pregnancy and childbirth.

• Breastfeeding

  You can rely on breastfeeding as a form of contraception for up to 6 months, if:

  • you are only breastfeeding, and not using solids or formula at all; and

  • you have not started your period again after birth. Once your periods start again, breastfeeding can no longer be used as contraception.

• Intrauterine System (IUS) and Intrauterine Device (IUD)

  • IUS

    • An IUS (intrauterine system) is also called a hormonal coil. It is a small plastic T-shape that a doctor or nurse puts into your womb (uterus).

    • It stops pregnancy by releasing the hormone progesterone into your womb.

    • It lasts for 5 to 10 years.

    • It is safe to use while breastfeeding.

    • It can be inserted within 48 hours of giving birth or 4 weeks after giving birth.

    • If inserted correctly, an IUS is effective in 99 in every 100 patients (99%).

  • IUD

    • An IUD (intrauterine device), also called a copper coil, is a small plastic T-shape that a doctor or nurse puts into your womb (uterus).

    • It does not use hormones. It stops pregnancy by releasing copper into the womb.

    • It lasts for 5 to 10 years.

    • It is safe to use while breastfeeding.

    • It can be used within 48 hours of giving birth or 4 weeks after giving birth.

    • If inserted correctly, an IUD is effective in 99 in every 100 patients (99%).

• Depot injection

  • A depot injection is a progesterone hormone injection.

  • Your GP practice or local sexual health clinic will give you the injection every 3 months.

  • The injection is safe to take while breastfeeding.

  • 94 out of every 100 patients (94%) find the depot injection effective.

• Implant

  • A small plastic rod is implanted under the skin in your arm.

  • The implant releases the progesterone hormone.

  • It lasts for 3 years.

  • It is safe to use while breastfeeding.

  • It can be fitted straight after birth.

  • If inserted correctly, an implant is effective in more than 99 in every 100 patients (99%).

Where can I get contraception?

1. At your GP surgery.

2. From a sexual health clinic.

3. Speak to your doctor or midwife before you leave hospital.

Further information

[Web sites last accessed 2 June 2026]

References

• NHS. How well contraception works at preventing pregnancy.

• NHS Inform. Having another baby.

• North Bristol NHS Trust. Birth / pregnancy spacing.

• The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH). FSRH Guidelines: Contraception after pregnancy. January 2017 (amended October 2020).

[Web sites last accessed 2 June 2026]

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