How Can You Avoid An Unwanted Pregnancy After Having A Baby?

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Family planning right after the birth of the first child has always been a major concern among new parents. Most parents would agree that being a first time parent isn’t just about the overwhelming happiness of having one’s own family; it is coupled by a huge responsibility.

When we already have a child, he/she becomes our priority while our own interests take a backseat. This is because we only want to give our little one the best possible life.

Proper birth spacing, specifically right after the delivery of our first baby, allows parents to focus on the needs of their newborn child. It would also provide enough time for the mother’s body to completely heal and recover from the previous pregnancy and delivery. This decreases the risk of pregnancy-related problems in the future.

To effectively plan our family and observe proper birth spacing, here are some proven, effective methods of family planning to choose from:

Exclusive Breastfeeding

Yes, mommy! Breastfeeding your little one offers countless benefits for you and your baby. Did you know that exclusive breastfeeding prevents unwanted pregnancy for six months after delivery? This is called the Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)

Breastfeeding mothers experience amenorrhea or not having menstruation for six months straight postpartum, and thus prevent fertility. Sounds great, isn’t it? No pill, no calendar, no stress at all! Just take note that this method is only effective for EXCLUSIVE breastfeeding mothers, meaning you must not bottle feed your baby for this method to become effective. This is also only effective for six months. Hence, to be sure, look for other family planning options a week before your infant turns six months.

Determining HOT And WET Days

No, we’re not talking about the weather here. What we’re talking about is a form of natural family planning method. When we say ‘Natural’, it means no birth control products are involved. What we need is a calendar, a reliable thermometer, and the cooperation of the couple.

Note that for you to use this form of birth control, you must be able to accomplish two things: First, you need have kept a record of your menstrual cycle for the last six months, and second, you must have a regular cycle. For example, a regular 28-day cycle would mean that for the last six months, you have your first day of menstruation exactly every 28 days. Others might have a 29, 30, or 32-day cycle. As long as you have the exact number each month, then you’re a good candidate for this method.

Hot Days

The ‘Hot Days’ stated here refer to a woman’s basal body temperature. Basal body temperature is a fertility indicator. Every morning, a woman needs to keep track of her temperature upon waking up. A sudden drop and rise in the body temperature (‘Hot Days’) is an indication that a woman is ovulating and is fertile. Most women will experience a sudden drop of 0.5⁰F before the day of ovulation which can rise up to 97-99°F when they ovulate. This is primarily caused by changes in the female hormone called progesterone. ‘Hot Days’ are “unsafe days”, and having sexual intercourse would likely get a woman pregnant.

Wet Days

Now let’s talk about the ‘Wet Days’. Wet Days refer to the woman’s cervical mucus, which is the vaginal discharge a woman has every day. The mucus changes in consistency and texture each day right after one’s “Red Days”. First, it would be dry, then sticky, and after a few more days, it would eventually become slippery and wet. Cervical mucus resembles the consistency of an egg white — slippery and can be stretched out between your fingers. This is a cue to the ‘Wet Days’ and indicates that you are fertile. You have to avoid engaging in unprotected sex during this period because you could get pregnant.

Determining hot and wet days is called the Symptothermal Method of contraception, and is a challenging method for couples to do by themselves. For it to become successful, couples need to seek professional help from an OB-Gyne, a nurse or other health professionals who are more knowledgeable about family planning.

Artificial Methods

Finding it hard to use the first two methods? Don’t worry because there are a variety of handy, effective and safe artificial family planning methods you can choose from.

Among the most common options are contraceptive pills, IUD’s (Intra-Uterine Device), hormonal injections and condoms. To find the best artificial method that would suit you, it is very important to consult a medical professional who would instruct you on its correct usage and administration for you to achieve the optimum effectiveness of the product.

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Disclaimer:

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or licensed medical professional before making any medical decisions.