After having a baby, one of the first things women should consider is postpartum contraception. It is possible to get pregnant again very quickly after giving birth. You may ovulate before you even have your first period. If you ovulate, there is a risk of pregnancy.

Getting an intrauterine device (IUD) is a practical choice for postpartum contraception. It is often a better option for a busy new mom than other contraception forms that require more effort. It can be tricky to remember to take a bill every day or schedule an appointment for a shot in a few months. .

Choosing a copper IUD like Flexi-T also means you don’t have to worry about hormones with your birth control. Hormonal IUDs can come with side effects you might not want to deal with while caring for a baby, like mood swings or bloating. So, how long do you have to wait before getting a Flexi-T IUD after giving birth?

The Flexi-T is a non hormonal IUD. IUDs are contraception devices inserted into the uterus by a healthcare professional. There are two types of IUDs: hormonal and copper. A hormonal IUD is similar to a birth control pill. The device releases the same hormone that helps prevent ovulation.

A copper IUD works without hormones. The copper functions as a spermicide inside the uterus. It creates an environment that sperm will reject. That keeps them from entering the uterus, where the egg waits for fertilization. If the egg does not get fertilized, you don’t get pregnant.

Both the copper and the hormonal IUD are 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. So, either one is an option after giving birth. The copper IUD effectiveness has the added bonus of not using hormones.
IUDs are also a long-term birth control method. The device can stay there for years. You take it out when it expires, for the Flexi-T that is about five years, or when you decide to have another baby.

It is best to wait four to six weeks before getting your IUD. You can talk to your OB-GYN about it even before the baby comes so you can plan ahead.

Getting the IUD immediately after delivery is possible, but you have a 30 percent chance of expelling it. The uterus changes shape after delivering the baby. Those postpartum changes could dislodge the device.

 While 30 percent might not seem like a big risk, it is when you consider you might not know it came out. So, you may think you are having protected sex only to find out later you are pregnant.

If you wait at least four weeks, the risk drops to 4 percent. At this stage, you can also do routine checks to make sure it is still in place. The IUD has strings that allow for easy removal. You can feel these strings with your fingers. This is something you should do regularly beginning one week after insertion. 

IUDs and most other birth control forms are safe even if you breastfeed. While hormonal birth control does not appear to harm babies, it can diminish a mom’s milk supply, especially in the first few weeks. A copper IUD will not.

Some women complain of cramping after IUD insertion. There may also be some spotting between periods. Other potential side effects include:

• Longer or heavier periods

• Irregular periods

• Increased menstrual cramps

Generally, IUDs are well-tolerated, though.

Versatility is one of the perks of getting a copper IUD. The IUD works as an emergency contraception. It can protect you from pregnancy even if you had unprotected sex up to seven days before insertion.

It also allows you to get pregnant immediately after removal. Hormone IUDs and birth control interfere with ovulation. That is how they prevent pregnancy. That means after you have a hormonal IUD removed, you must wait until your menstrual cycle to get pregnant. That can be a month or longer.

Copper IUDs interfere with fertilization instead. So, as soon as the device comes out, you can get pregnant. That gives you more control over your pregnancy.

If you are expecting and looking at birth control methods after the baby comes, talk to your OB-gyn about a copper IUD placement. Find out more about Flexi-T, by visiting our website today.