Postpartum contraception

We should not underestimate the importance of the immediate postnatal period as an opportunity to influence ongoing contraceptive use and reduce the risk of further unintended pregnancy. These issues may be particularly important in adolescent mothers whose prior use of contraception will usually have been extremely poor. This advice aims to give an overview of the range of contraceptive choice available to postpartum mothers, either breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. Each method is reviewed in terms of its positive and negative effects and its particular suitability or special precautions during use in this particular life-stage.