Most new moms don’t want to get pregnant right away. Breastfeeding itself can be a form of birth control for the first six months, since the hormone that stimulates milk production (prolactin) also inhibits the monthly cycle. However, this method is notoriously unreliable. After having a baby, your period should come back 3-9 months later, but keep in mind that you’ll already have been fertile for two weeks before your first period. So don’t rely on not having a period to reassure you that you’re not yet ovulating. 

Options are limited when you’ve got a baby to feed, since estrogen can interfere with milk production. Progesterone, however, does not. 

The Mini-Pill is a birth control pill that only contains progesterone. The biggest drawback is that it must be taken at the same time every day to be effective. If you’re late with a dose, even by a few hours, your chances of getting pregnant go way up. Thus, it doesn’t work very well for mothers of new babies, who have completely mixed up sleep-wake cycles and erratic daily schedules, not to mention forgetfulness from being sleep-deprived.

If a strict pill schedule doesn’t work, progesterone injections can potentially start as soon as the baby is out. There are no pills to remember, just a visit to the doctor every three months. Because it’s just progesterone, there are no issues with milk supply, nor are there any adverse effects towards a breastfeeding baby.  

Another option is an IUD. Both progesterone and copper IUDs can potentially be inserted into the uterus as early as minutes after delivery of a baby. However, because the cervix has just dilated enough to deliver a baby, IUDs get mispositioned or fall out more often if inserted immediately afterward. Alternatively, they can be put in anytime in the following weeks/months after delivery. IUDs don’t interfere with breastfeeding and don’t require you to remember to take pills daily, which is a big benefit for new mothers.

Finally, permanent methods are always possible. The man can get “The Snip” or the woman can get her tubes tied. Many women will have their obstetrician tie their tubes at the same time as a C-section, if they’re completely done with getting pregnant.