Sex and contraception after birth

There are no rules about when to start having sex again after you have given birth, but if you have a tear or stitches, it is advised to wait until you have fully healed. You’ll probably feel sore as well as tired after your baby is born, so don’t rush into it.

You need to use contraception every time you have sex after giving birth unless you want to get pregnant again.

Your midwife will discuss contraception with you after your baby is born.

You can talk to your GP, health visitor or sexual health clinic (sometimes called a family planning clinic) about contraception at any time.

Your contraception choices

You can start using some types of contraception immediately after giving birth. For some other types, it’s recommended to wait for a few weeks.

Contraception choices straight after birth

• contraceptive implant
• contraceptive injection
• progestogen-only pill
• condoms
• female (internal) condoms
• IUD (coil) or IUS (hormonal coil)

If an IUD or IUS is not fitted within 48 hours of giving birth, it’s recommended to wait until 4 weeks after the birth.

Contraception choices 3 weeks after the birth

If you’re not breastfeeding and a healthcare professional has checked you have no risk factors for a blood clot, you can start to use these methods 3 weeks after the birth:

• combined pill
• vaginal ring
• contraceptive patch

If you’re breastfeeding, you’ll usually be advised to wait until at least 6 weeks after the birth before starting the combined pill, ring or patch.

Contraception choices 6 weeks after birth

You can usually start using a diaphragm or cap around 6 weeks after the birth.

Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)

You’re unlikely to have any periods if you breastfeed exclusively (give your baby breast milk only) and your baby is under 6 months old.

Because of this, some women use breastfeeding as a form of natural contraception. This is known as the lactational amenorrhoea method, or LAM.

Find out about natural family planning, including LAM.

It’s important to start using another form of contraception if:

• your baby is more than 6 months old
• you give them anything else apart from breast milk, such as a dummy, formula or solid foods
• your periods start again (even light spotting counts)
• you stop night feeding
• you start to breastfeed less often
• there are longer intervals between feeds, both during the day and at night

How LAM works

Effectiveness of fertility awareness method

When used correctly all the time, fertility awareness methods are between 91% and 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.

If you do not follow the instructions exactly, it is only 76% effective. This means 24 in 100 women will get pregnant when tracking their fertility for a year.

Effectiveness of lactational amenorrhea method

If you are breastfeeding and follow lactational amenorrhea method correctly all the time, it is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.

If you do not follow the instructions exactly, it’s 98% effective, and 2 in 100 women will get pregnant again within 6 months of giving birth.

Exercising after having a baby

When you’re feeling tired, being active may seem like the last thing you want to do, but regular activity can relax you, keep you fit and help you feel more energetic.

It can also help your body recover after childbirth and may help prevent postnatal depression. Find out more about Keeping fit and healthy with a baby.

Wellbeing and Exercise in Pregnancy Programme (WEPP)

The Sussex WEPP programme provides you with exercise videos and useful resources to refer to during your pregnancy and after you have had your baby.