Contraception after birth - long acting contraceptives injection and implants

Contraception after pregnancy: If you or your partner have any worries, discuss them with your GP or health visitor.

It is possible to get pregnant even if you have not started your periods again or if you are breastfeeding. It is therefore important to use contraceptives.

Your midwife or doctor should talk to you about contraception before you leave hospital and again when you go for your six-week postnatal check. Alternatively, you could talk to your midwife or health visitor when they visit you at home or go to your GP or community contraceptive clinic (sometimes called family planning or CASH clinic).

The FPA (Family Planning Association) publishes free leaflets about all methods of contraception.

Long acting contraceptive methods

Long-acting contraceptive methods last between three months and ten years. They may be suitable if you think you will forget to take or use a short‑acting contraceptive.

• The intrauterine device (IUD) and intrauterine system (IUS).

These can be fitted from the fourth week after you give birth. They can be fitted at your postnatal check-up when your uterus is back to its normal size.

• Contraceptive injection while breastfeeding

It is recommended that you wait until six weeks after you give birth before you are given this. It can be given earlier in some circumstances. The contraceptive injection will not affect your milk supply if you are breastfeeding.

• Contraceptive implant while breastfeeding

This contains a long-lasting progestogen and is effective for three years.

It can be fitted 21 days after you give birth or earlier in some circumstances. If it’s fitted after 21 days, you will have to use another contraceptive for seven days. The contraceptive implant will not affect your milk supply if you are breastfeeding.