Helpful family planning tips

Having a newborn at home is busy, exciting and tiring. If having another baby right away isn’t on your mind, family planning should be. It’s important to talk with your doctor about birth control options. Here are some reasons why:

• Believe it or not, you can get pregnant again soon after giving birth — even before your periods return, and even if you are breastfeeding.
• It’s healthier for moms and babies to wait at least 18 months between having a baby and getting pregnant again.
• Having babies very close together can be hard.
  

Carefully consider the information your doctor gives you. It helps you control how your family grows.

You have many options for birth control. Here are a few that are easy and effective.

Copper IUD

Copper intrauterine devices (IUDs) are small, T-shaped plastic devices wrapped in copper. A doctor inserts the IUD into your uterus through the cervix. This takes just a few minutes.

Copper IUDs help prevent pregnancy for 10 to 12 years. They can be removed by your doctor at any time.

Hormonal IUDs

Hormonal IUDs are small, T-shaped plastic devices that contain a hormone called progesterone. A doctor inserts the IUD into your uterus through the cervix. This takes just a few minutes.

Hormonal IUDs help prevent pregnancy for three to six years, depending on brand. They can be removed by your doctor at any time.

Implant

The birth control implant is a thin plastic rod about the size of a matchstick that has the hormone progesterone inside. It's inserted under the skin of your upper arm in a quick and easy procedure right at your doctor's office.

Implants help prevent pregnancy for three years. They can be removed by your doctor at any time.

There are many other choices for birth control.