You usually can resume sexual relations with your partner 6 weeks after delivery. Wait until after your postpartum checkup, ask your doctor and make sure you are ready.
If you're not planning another pregnancy immediately, discuss contraception methods with your doctor. Your postpartum checkup is the perfect time to bring up the subject. You may decide on oral contraceptives, Norplant® or an IUD. You will need a prescription for an oral contraceptive. If you decide on Norplant or an IUD, you will have to make arrangements for the procedure.
Breastfeeding and Birth Control
Breastfeeding decreases your chances of getting pregnant, but you cannot rely on breastfeeding or the lack of menstruation to protect you against getting pregnant again. You need to use some type of protection when you resume intercourse.
You have a number of contraception choices while breastfeeding—condoms, "minipill" birth-control pills, birth-control foam or jelly, diaphragms, lUDs, Norplant or Depo-provera® injections. Talk about your options with your healthcare provider.
