Do i have to take birth control after i have the baby?

Rachel - posted on 03/31/2012

I have a birth control question- When do you start the pill if you aren't getting your period? I am breastfeeding and my dr gave me a bc script at my 6 week appt. Typically you take it on the first day of period. I thought my period started almost 2 months after birth but it was just a day of spotting. I started the pill that day but now I am not sure I should have.

Jasmine - posted on 02/16/2012

It's up to you, but if you don't want to get pregnant again you will have to use something. My hubby and I just used condoms after the birth of our first because I was nursing, but also because we knew we were going to try for another baby when our daughter was at least 1 year old. Alo if you're breastfeeding there are only certain kinds of birth control you can use that won't affect your milk supply.

Amanda - posted on 02/15/2012

You definitely need to use some form of BC, whether it be the pill, condoms, natural family planning, etc. And breastfeeding is definitely not a reliable BC. I got my period back at 5 weeks and was exclusively breastfeeding. I personally have the IUC (copper one, ParaGard, not Mirena). There are no hormones and I have not had any issues. I like it because I don't have to think about it. I too had issues with hormone based pills, both estrogen and prestrogen plus I had a hard time remember to take them.

Katy - posted on 02/08/2012

Nursing regularly IS a form of birth control, though I wouldnt rely on it the same way you would a pill or a condom. If you nurse often (and are only nursing, once you introduce foods to your baby you can become pregnant easier) your body SHOULD respond by not ovulating. But I would still use a condom or another form of protection.

Jennifer - posted on 04/14/2010

If you choose not to you will have just as much chance as normal of becoming pregnant...sometimes more with all the hormone changes still present. I've had several friends become pregnant because they believed they had leeway on the time after giving birth...I would definitely research different methods if the birth control is having an adverse effect on you.

Mishalyn - posted on 04/14/2010

I have read some stuff about iuds and there are so many diff. things that can go wrong so i dont want to use that. I guess my husband and i will use condoms till we decide we want another. Thanks for all the advise! ♥

Michelle - posted on 04/13/2010

Do your research .
Condoms are good , cheap and less side effects .
IUD's can cause severe issues and infections in some cases , however everything is different with different women , I knew some one who had one and STUNK like rotted meat from an infection from the IUD . The dr wouldnt remove it until the infection was cleared in fear of it spreading from removal . She was a VERY clean person who suffered a very unfortunate situation .
Best thing to do is talk to your doctor , and do up your own research on things .
It is common for some people to get more severe mood swings on hormonal BC .
As for natural family planning method . You must be taught how to do it correctly and track it consistantly . It is flawable .
Good luck !

Angela - posted on 04/13/2010

No. But, if you choose to have sex and not use protection you can and probably will get pregnant - rather quickly. One of the easiest times to get pregnant is in the months after you give birth. Personally, i'm breastfeeding and taking a progesterone-only pill because of that. Also, my husband and I use condoms. My prescription is running out soon, so i'm going to keep breastfeeding and using condoms until my daughter's 18 months then we're going to start trying again. I don't want to get the hormones back in my system just to have to wait for them to get out again. Also, I don't mind getting pregnant between now and then.

Jonna - posted on 04/13/2010

You can try natural family planning. There are lots of books on the subject. It is a way of tracking your cycle by taking a daily oral temperature and determining when you are fertile. During ovulation you need to abstain from sex or use condoms. Many of my family members have used this method successfully for their entire marriages. I don't do well on chemical birth control either so I totally understand how you feel. Good Luck!

Kristin - posted on 04/13/2010

If you want to have sex again but not get pregnant, then yes you do. However, there are loads of birth control options that are not hormone based. Now is a really good time to talk to your OB/Gyn about the options available and do a little research on your own. Also, talk with your husband about the size of family you think you might want and how far apart you might want them to be. You won't need anything until your 6-8 week check following the delivery, as you need to let yourself heal. You've got time to make these choices.



I totally understand, I get nuts when I'm on pills too. Heck, I'm kind of nuts when pregnant. I told my husband to get to the store and pick up a box of condoms until I decided what kind I felt I was okay with and now HE gets to have the surgery for the permanent birth control. I should not be women who are soley responsible for family planning and preventing less than desirable pregnancies.



Good luck.

Jane - posted on 04/13/2010

you need something if you don't want another pregnancy. nursing is NOT a form of birth control. you may not get your period for a while but you WILL OVULATE and you can get pregnant. maybe he can pick up the slack and use condoms until your body is back on track. you can't have any sex until after your 6 or 8 week doctor appt. you can ask your doctor about an IUD as well. it can easily be taken out when you want to try for another baby.

good luck!

Stevie - posted on 04/13/2010

no you dont have to and thats only part of the reason why i refuse to take bc lol i know it can do things like that but no you dont have to take it after having my two kids i never was forced to take it and after my miscariage i didnt have to im pregnant again and i wont take it after this one just let your dr know you dont want it and explain your reasons maybe if your dr would like to know but no and if you dont want to get pregnant again you still dont have to take it bc is not the only way and esp if you were on the lowest dose you can go for that really isnt going to stop you from having a child but no no matter what you dont have to take it

Carolee - posted on 04/13/2010

Talk to your doctor about options for an IUD. They have low-hormone and no-hormone kinds.

Katy - posted on 04/13/2010

If you dont want to get pregnant again, then yes- you would need some sort of birth control. Or if the horomones in the pill are causing you to become a bit unstable mentally, you could try natural family planning. That is what we use, which is based off of you tracking your temperature and when done correctly is more effective then birth control- though not as easy as popping a pill every morning, much healthier. Good luck!