7 List of kb options that are safe for breastfeeding mothers

There is a certain amount of time until you can get pregnant again after giving birth. During this breastfeeding period, mothers usually need safe contraception or birth control to prevent pregnancy. Breastfeeding your baby may be a natural form of contraception, but it may not be reliable in the long term.

You certainly need contraception to prevent pregnancy for a longer period of time. However, do not carelessly choose contraception or birth control for breastfeeding mothers. What are some safe and good options?

A safe birth control option for breastfeeding mothers

Exclusive breastfeeding for babies can actually be a method to prevent pregnancy for nursing mothers or is called lactational amenorrhea.

Yes, one of the benefits of breastfeeding is that it can help delay pregnancy after childbirth as long as breast milk is given without additional food and other drinks.

Well, one of the challenges of breastfeeding that mothers often face is breastfeeding during pregnancy. This is usually the reason why mothers want to delay pregnancy while breastfeeding.

All contraceptives or contraceptives are generally safe for use by safe breastfeeding mothers, as described in Planned Parenthood.

Even so, contraceptives or birth control that contain the hormone estrogen can reduce the production of breast milk for nursing mothers.

On this basis, breastfeeding mothers are advised to be more careful in choosing contraceptives or birth control pills to delay pregnancy.

Here are some types of birth control or contraception for breastfeeding mothers:

1. The contraceptive pill

Birth control pills are one of several contraceptive options for breastfeeding mothers. The pill method of contraception offers mothers two different options, namely the combination birth control pill and the mini birth control pill.

There are two types of birth control pills for breastfeeding mothers:

Combination birth control pills

Combined birth control pills are a type of hormonal contraception that contains ethinylestradiol, which is a combination of the hormones estrogen and progestin.

These two hormones are actually produced naturally in a woman's body.

Therefore, combination birth control pills are also referred to as synthetic versions of the hormones estrogen and progestin.

So that it works more optimally in preventing pregnancy, this contraceptive is recommended to be taken regularly every day.

But unfortunately, combined contraceptive pills are considered to be able to reduce milk production for breastfeeding mothers.

As a result, combination birth control pills can make the duration of exclusive breastfeeding shorter than it should be.

This is thought to be due to the influence of the hormone estrogen in the combination birth control pill.

On this basis, combination birth control pills are usually not recommended for use by breastfeeding mothers.

This is especially so because combination birth control pills can cause blood clots for breastfeeding mothers if they are taken within a few weeks of birth or in the early stages of breastfeeding.

This is why doctors usually give combination birth control pills only 5-6 weeks after giving birth.

Mini birth control pills

Meanwhile, mini birth control pills or also called minipill , contains only the progestin in it, quotes from the Mayo Clinic.

Judging from the womb, you may have begun to judge that mini birth control pills can be a safer option for breastfeeding mothers compared to combination birth control pills.

This is because there is no estrogen content in the mini birth control pills so it is believed that it has no effect on breast milk production.

Mini birth control pills that only contain the hormone progesterone or progestin can actually help increase or increase milk production.

Usually, breastfeeding mothers can start using mini birth control pills after about 6-8 weeks after giving birth. Mini birth control pills can generally be obtained by prescription from a doctor.

Rules for taking mini birth control pills

Breastfeeding mothers need to know how to take mini KB pills, which must be taken at the same time every day.

Each package of mini birth control pills consists of 28 pills with details of 21 pills containing hormones and the remaining 7 in the form of empty or non-hormone pills.

The way to take mini birth control pills that are safe for breastfeeding mothers is basically the same as the combination birth control pill.

If the combination birth control pill must be taken regularly every day, including for breastfeeding mothers, it is not much different from the combination birth control pill.

Besides having to be taken every day, combination birth control pills should also be taken at the same time every day.

For 21 days you should take 21 hormone pills every day at the same time followed by 7 empty pills for 7 days.

During one week of taking this empty pill, you will have your period normally. The rule that the mini birth control pill must be taken every day at the same time has its own reasons.

The rules for taking mini birth control pills that are safe for breastfeeding mothers aim to keep hormone levels in the mother's body stable.

The reason is, mini birth control pills contain less progestin hormones than combination birth control pills (pills that contain progesterone and estrogen).

This can cause the work of the progestin hormone in the mini birth control pills to last only 24 hours in the cervical mucus (cervix), right when you are taking it.

In fact, cervical mucus is responsible for blocking the entry of sperm into the uterus during intercourse.

Impact of not taking mini birth control pills on time

When breastfeeding mothers forget to take birth control pills or don't take them on time, there is a risk of causing pregnancy.

Immediately take the missed dose of the mini birth control pill when you remember.

It is okay to take these two pills at the same time in one day, as long as it is not more than 12 hours on the same day.

After that, continue to take the usual dose of these pills while the mother is breastfeeding.

2. The IUD

IUD contraceptives (intrauterine device) is a non-permanent long-term contraceptive tool. If you choose this birth control device, the doctor will insert a device that is shaped like the letter T into your uterus.

Installation of a contraceptive device or IUD for breastfeeding mothers should be done at least six weeks after giving birth.

Just like birth control pills, contraceptives or IUDs that are safe and good for breastfeeding mothers are also divided into two types.

First, the copper IUD, aka it does not contain hormones at all, and second, the IUD which contains the hormone progesterone (progestin).

You can choose both as contraceptives or birth control which are safe and good for breastfeeding mothers because they do not affect milk production.

Copper contraceptives or IUDs do not contain hormones so they do not affect the milk production of breastfeeding mothers.

Meanwhile, hormonal contraceptives or IUDs contain low levels of the hormone progesterone.

Therefore, hormonal IUD contraceptives also will not cause problems with milk production for nursing mothers.

Hormonal IUDs work by thickening cervical mucus and thinning the lining of the uterus to prevent fertilization of an egg and its attachment (implantation).

The working period of the hormonal IUD to prevent pregnancy is 3-5 years. While the copper IUD works by preventing sperm from fertilizing an egg.

The use of contraceptives or copper IUDs which are safe and good for breastfeeding mothers can help prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years.

3. Implants

If the mother does not like a device that is inserted into the uterus, such as an IUD, you can try contraception or birth control in the form of implant birth control for the breastfeeding period.

The implant contraceptive or contraceptive for breastfeeding mothers contains the hormone progesterone (progestin) and is placed under the skin in the upper arm.

Safe contraceptives or implanted contraceptives can be used to prevent pregnancy in nursing mothers for about three years.

Safe use of implanted birth control will not affect milk production for nursing mothers because it only contains the hormone progesterone.

4. Injectable contraceptives

Injectable contraceptive contraceptives can be given to breastfeeding mothers every three months at a health care provider.

These injectable contraceptives are safe for breastfeeding mothers because they only contain the hormone progesterone, which will not interfere with milk production.

However, the drawback is that it is more difficult for breastfeeding mothers to return to fertility after stopping getting injections from this injectable contraceptive device.

Breastfeeding mothers may take about 1 year to restore their fertile period after using injection contraceptives.

5. Patch or patch

Nursing mothers can cling patch KB on the back, arms, stomach, or buttocks for a week to help delay pregnancy. Unfortunately, p atch KB contains the hormone estrogen and progesterone.

Contraceptives or birth control may not be the best choice for breastfeeding mothers because they contain the hormone estrogen which can affect milk production.

However, if the mother wants to use it, it's best to wait up to six weeks after giving birth.

6. Vaginal ring

Breastfeeding mothers can use contraceptives or ringed birth control by placing them in the vagina within three weeks. This vaginal ring contains the hormone estrogen and progesterone.

This means that this method of contraception or birth control is also a bad choice for breastfeeding mothers because it contains the hormone estrogen.

If you are a breastfeeding mother who wants to use this contraceptive or birth control, please wait up to six weeks after giving birth to delay the pregnancy.

7. Safe barrier method of birth control for breastfeeding mothers

The barrier method aims to block sperm from entering your uterus. Contraceptives or contraceptives with barrier methods do not contain hormones at all so it doesn't matter if they are used by breastfeeding mothers.

Condom

Condoms include contraceptives or birth control that are safe for breastfeeding mothers and are used every time they have sex.

Condoms are easy and safe birth control for mothers to use during breastfeeding.

If the breastfeeding mother also uses contraceptives or family planning in the form of spermicide (foam or creams that kill sperm), you are unlikely to get pregnant again.

KB with spermicide also does not contain hormones so it is safe to use for breastfeeding mothers.

Diaphragm

This device is designed to close the cervix so that it blocks sperm from entering. Nursing mothers can use it six weeks or more after giving birth.

This is because the use of the diaphragm must be adjusted to your body size.

Cervical hood

The method of birth control or contraception with this hood also serves to cover the cervix.

The cervix will dilate a little during delivery so it may be necessary for breastfeeding mothers to wait at least 6 weeks afterwards to use this birth control.

Keep in mind the use of birth control that is safe for breastfeeding mothers

Breastfeeding mothers should choose contraceptives or birth control that do not contain the hormone estrogen to delay pregnancy.

Again, the hormone estrogen can reduce milk production so that the breastfeeding schedule may be shorter.

However, not all breastfeeding mothers using estrogen-containing contraceptives experience a decrease in milk production.

To be safer, it is better to consult a doctor to get recommendations for contraception or birth control that is good and safe when the mother is breastfeeding.

If you experience problems with breastfeeding mothers and are currently using hormonal contraceptives, you should stop using them first.

This aims to see if the contraceptive you are using affects your milk production.

Usually, breastfeeding mothers often complain about the production of little milk, making it difficult to gain weight for the baby.

You can try to increase milk production by eating breastfeeding mothers' food or by regularly using a breast pump to express milk.

Do not forget, make sure you apply the correct way to store breast milk so that it does not spoil quickly.

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