Contraception during breast-feeding - it does not harm the baby - Side Effects

Side effects of contraception associated with lactation

Milk production. As mentioned above, hormonal contraception, particularly those which include estrogen can decrease milk production and sometimes - very substantially.

The impact on the child. It is not known about any negative effects of hormonal contraceptives on the child. All contraceptive methods, as discussed above, the legally allowed to assign to nursing mothers. For children whose mothers used the period of lactation or other hormonal contraceptives, was observed before the age of 17 years and found no evidence that estrogen-progestin, or in any way affect them. Exceptions may be children whose mothers started taking hormonal contraception less than 6 weeks postpartum. Liver child who is younger than six weeks, still can not well enough to process the incoming milk with hormones and this may affect its future health. However, what exactly would be the consequences are unknown. Normally, the mother start to use hormonal contraception Hormonal contraception: Modern birth control pills When the child is older than six weeks.

All hormonal contraceptives can make the child nervous and anxious - this is not mentioned in the medical literature, but that many mothers say. One likely reason for this is that the hormone-containing proteins decreases slightly, nitrogen and lactose in milk. Some mothers have noted that child becomes noticeably calmer after they stop taking hormonal contraceptives.

The impact on the mother. If during pregnancy you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and lactation you want to take the mini-pill, this issue should be discussed in great detail with the doctor. A study conducted in 1998 showed that some women with gestational diabetes, a history of reception of progestin-only birth control pills while breastfeeding can lead to chronic type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes). The risk of developing type 2 diabetes within one year after delivery in women who have had gestational diabetes and to take mini-pill, three times higher than women who used other means of contraception.

General recommendations regarding hormonal contraception during lactation Breast-feeding: feed - and no nails!   as follows:

• Take any hormonal contraceptives with caution (especially if they contain estrogen);
• Take them to the lowest possible doses;
• If you have problems with production of milk (or baby's weight increases more slowly than it should be OK), stop using hormonal contraceptives. If after a while the normal lactation, probably you should be before the end of the lactation period to use non-hormonal contraception.

Information about several specific means of contraception

* Categories of risk in pregnancy

A - controlled studies, which involved pregnant women have not shown any risk to the mother and fetus at any stage of pregnancy.

B - data on the risks for humans are not available. Controlled studies in pregnant women have not shown risks to mother and child, while in animal studies such risks have been identified. The probability of harm to the fetus is very small, but the probability is.

C - risk can not be excluded. Research involving humans have been conducted. Experiments on animals have shown the potential harm to the fetus, and also not conducted.

D - there is evidence of the dangers of the drug. Research involving human subjects have shown that the drug can be dangerous for the fetus. However, the potential benefits from taking it is sometimes more important than the risks to the unborn child.

X - the drug is strictly contraindicated in pregnant women.

** Categories of risk in lactation

L1 - the safest drugs. They took a large number of breast-feeding women, and no serious adverse effects on children was noted.

L2 - safe products. The drug was tested in a limited number of lactating women, and side effects were not detected. Might appear to some, is not dangerous, side effects for a long time later - when a child is a teenager or an adult.

L3 - moderately safe drugs. Controlled studies with lactating women have not been conducted, or in studies revealed only minimal side effects, do not pose a serious threat to the life of the child. The drug should be taken only if its benefits are much more significant associated risks.

L4 - drugs that can be dangerous. There is evidence indicating that the drug reduces the production of milk or is unsafe for a child, but in extreme cases it may be permissible to use.

L5 - the drug is contraindicated in lactating women. There is evidence that suggests that the components of the drug may cause serious harm to the health of the child.