Contraception after birth (Post-partum contraception )

Pregnancy provides a critical window for healthcare providers to offer effective contraception, particularly to couples who wish to avoid another pregnancy soon after childbirth. Whether the pregnancy results in live birth, miscarriage, or termination, it is essential to discuss and initiate appropriate contraceptive methods.

Fertility can return as early as one month after pregnancy, except when breastfeeding is involved, as lactation naturally suppresses fertility. The timing and choice of contraceptive methods are influenced by breastfeeding status. Non-breastfeeding women should initiate effective contraception as soon as possible to prevent rapid subsequent pregnancies. The World Health Organization traditionally recommended an interpregnancy interval of at least six months after miscarriage and one to two years after childbirth to reduce the risk of adverse outcomes. However, recent research suggests that shorter intervals may not pose significant risks for healthy women under 35 years old.

Post-pregnancy contraception refers to the provision of contraceptive methods to women following various pregnancy outcomes, including childbirth, abortion, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, or gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). Guidelines on the safety and timing of these contraceptive methods have been issued by several authoritative bodies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the UK's Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health (FSRH), and...