Birth Control and Breastfeeding.

You can still get pregnant while breastfeeding. Two from hundred exclusively breastfeeding mothers will get pregnant while not using any method of contraception.
There is a wide choice of contraceptive methods for breastfeeding mothers.

The ones considered safe are:
Progestin-only contraceptives
They include
• The progestin-only pill (POP) also called the "mini-pill"
http://www.fpa.org.uk/attachments/published/165/PDF%20Progestogen-only%20pill%20April%202007.pdf
• the birth control injection http://www.fpa.org.uk/attachments/published/136/PDF%20Contraceptive%20injection%20March%202006.pdf
• the progesterone-releasing IUD http://www.fpa.org.uk/attachments/published/152/PDF%20IUD%20March%202006.pdf
• the birth control implant http://www.fpa.org.uk/attachments/published/134/PDF%20Contraceptive%20implant%20March%202006.pdf

Other forms of contraception include:• male and female condoms http://www.fpa.org.uk/attachments/published/156/PDF%20Male%20and%20%20female%20condoms%20July%202006.pdf
• Diaphragms and caps http://www.fpa.org.uk/attachments/published/140/PDF%20Diaphragms%20and%20caps%20July%202006.pdf
• Natural family planning http://www.fpa.org.uk/attachments/published/160/PDF%20Natural%20family%20planning%20October%202006.pdf
• The IUS http://www.fpa.org.uk/attachments/published/154/PDF%20IUS%20March%202006.pdf
• Copper IUD http://parenting.ivillage.com/baby/bbreastfeed/0,,3x52,00.html


Some of methods considered not safe for the first 6 months of breastfeeding and can be introduced when milk supply is established and baby is well into the solids (it is because some hormones can have negative impact on milk supply) are:
• The combination birth control pill http://www.fpa.org.uk/attachments/published/131/PDF%20Combined%20pill%20April%202007.pdf
• the monthly injection http://www.fpa.org.uk/attachments/published/136/PDF%20Contraceptive%20injection%20March%202006.pdf
• the birth control patch http://www.fpa.org.uk/attachments/published/138/PDF%20Contraceptive%20patch%20April%202007.pdf

The emergency contraception (it can be either emergency contraceptive pill http://www.fpa.org.uk/information/leaflets/documents_and_pdfs/detail.cfm?contentID=141#3
Or copper IUD http://www.fpa.org.uk/information/leaflets/documents_and_pdfs/detail.cfm?contentID=141#22 )
Hormonal emergency contraception should be considered as a last resort - http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/birthcontrol.html#morningafter .

Useful and interesting links:
Breastfeeding and birth control
http://www.breastfeeding-basics.com/html/breastfeeding_and_birth_control.shtml
Breastfeeding and fertility
http://www.storknet.com/cubbies/breast/exsh6.htm
Getting pregnant while breastfeeding
http://www.kellymom.com/nursingtwo/resources/ttc-while-bf.html
What is the contraceptive effect of breastfeeding my baby?
http://www.managingcontraception.com/choices/ch-brstfd.html
Breastfeeding and Childspacing
http://www.lalecheleague.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVDec98Jan99p128.html
The lactational amenorrhea method (LAM)
http://www.linkagesproject.org/technical/lam.php

Sources:
http://www.fpa.org.uk
http://www.kellymom.com
http://www.breastfeeding.co.uk/
http://www.breastfeedingonline.com

http://www.contraceptivechoices.co.uk

Talk choice contraceptive choices website launched

http://www.contraceptivechoices.co.uk was developed by a panel of experts in the field of contraception and sexual health. It provides unbiased and up-to-date information on contraception, answers frequently asked questions, and provides profiles of women with different contraception needs. The website has a section dedicated to healthcare professionals, providing up to date information on:

- Contraception methods available
- Clinical guidance on contraception links
- Guide to questions to ask your patients

theres some great links there! ive only ever used the coil as i dont agree with the hormone thing (only personal choice i dont judge anyone else!) and i do have experience of the bf not being a contraceptive i have daughter no3 as proof!! i have heard though that the marina coil- a hormone releasing one is really effective and completely ok for bf mothers. im just going for the copper coil its always been ok for me though the dr in our practice dnit insert them until after 3mth post birth so i have to wait another 5 weeks, condoms have been v unreliable in the past! im not ready for baby no 6 yet so we better be careful - ive just noticed ive gone off on one sorry!

Ang, glad you've find it useful!

I have implant and love it! Had pill in a past, mini and combined and wasn't happy at all. I was considering a coil,but idea of strings made me change my mind. I did my research and spoken to few ladies, and I'm worried about checking its possition, coil moving or falling out- I have soft cervix apparently( ) and that OH will feel strings you know when, hehe...

Before John was born we usen Natural Family Planing and for 6 months it worked for us, till I went traveling and got dates mixed up, hehe.As a result we have John. Not that I complain