Birth Control and Family Planning

It is important to start thinking about family planning and what birth control you are going to use after you have your baby. 


Family Planning

It is best to wait at least 18 months before getting pregnant again. A shorter period of time between pregnancies increases risks for you and your future baby. This time between pregnancies also helps protect your future child from SIDS. Talk to your provider about the best options for you and your planning needs.


Planning and Birth Control

Thinking about your goals for having or not having more children is called a reproductive life plan. There are many safe forms of birth control to choose from to fit your plan. Some can be started right after you deliver your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider to get the right form of birth control for you.



Choose Your Hospital or Birthing Center

Some birth control methods are not available in some religious or rural hospitals. Talk to the hospital about what options are available before you deliver.

Using Birth Control While Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding can delay the return of your period but you can become pregnant before it shows up. Make sure you start reliable contraception before you resume sexual activity.


Consider What Factors to Reflect on Before Becoming Pregnant Again

Ask yourself these questions:

  • Do I feel mentally supported and physically healthy enough to be pregnant again?
  • Do I need help to stop smoking or using drugs before becoming pregnant again?
  • Do I have the financial resources to support another baby?
  • What are my plans for my future?
  • Do I have supportive relationships to help me if I have another baby?

You can use condoms with another form of birth control. Condoms stop the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like HIV and Syphilis. There are many forms of condoms. They are usually cheap and sometimes no cost. Stay in control of your body. Visit www.GetTested.cdc.gov to find no cost confidential STI testing.

Create a Reproductive Life Plan

Ask yourself these questions:

  • Would I like to have more children in the future?
  • How many children would I like to have?
  • How long do I want to wait before becoming pregnant again?
  • What birth control method do I plan to use until I am ready to get pregnant?
  • How can I be sure I will be able to use this birth control method without problems?
  • If you used birth control before how did it work and how did it make you feel?




Types of Contraception

To learn more about these types of birth control and other options, talk to your provider.

Short & Moderate-Term Contraception

If you may want to have children within the next few years.

Birth Control Shots (Depo-Provera)

  • 94% Effective
  • Provides hormones that prevent pregnancy. You need to get the shot every 3 months. Typically stops you from having periods.

Vaginal Ring

  • 91% Effective
  • A flexible, plastic ring you place into your vagina. It releases hormones that prevent pregnancy. You can put it in and remove it yourself. You will not feel it during sex. You need to replace it every 4 weeks.

Birth Control Pills

  • 91% Effective
  • Provides hormones that prevent pregnancy. Easy to use and effective when taken correctly. You have to take it daily.

Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC)

These are used when you know you don’t want to have children within the next few years. Sometimes these can be inserted in the hospital right after delivery.

Birth Control Implant

  • 99.95% Effective
  • A small rod is placed under the skin of your upper arm and releases hormones that prevent pregnancy. Works for 3 years and is easily removed. You return to your regular cycle after it is removed. There is a chance for irregular bleeding, headaches or acne.

IUD

  • 99.20% Effective
  • A T-shaped plastic device that is put into your womb to prevent pregnancy. A good choice if you do not want to have children for more than 1 year. Sometimes this can be inserted in the hospital right after delivery.


Permanent Contraception

These are used when you know you don’t want more children and prefer permanent birth control.

Partner Vasectomy

  • 99.85% Effective
  • The tubes that carry sperm out of your partner’s testicles are cut. Great option if you only have one partner. This can be done under local anesthesia.

Tubal Sterilization (also called removing tubes or tying tubes)

  • 99.50% Effective
  • The tubes that carry the eggs to the womb are blocked or removed. This procedure can sometimes be performed right after your baby is born. If you want a tubal sterilization talk to your healthcare provider before you deliver. In some cases a consent form must be signed at least 30 days before the procedure.