As soon as a couple wants to start having sexual relations again after having a baby a reliable method of contraception should be used - even if the woman has not yet started having periods again.

There are special rules for women who are breast-feeding. Breast feeding gives relative protection against conception. The prolactin that stimulates milk production prevents ovulation from taking place. But breast feeding is not a very reliable form of contraception! And the protection is lost if there is an interval of more than 6 hours between feeds or if the total feeding time is less than 65 minutes per day.

The minipill may also be used by women who are breast-feeding as it contains no estrogens and only a very low dose of progestin.

Talk to your doctor about when you can start using the minipill after giving birth.

The intrauterine system and the three-month injection are also suitable methods of hormonal contraception after giving birth.