Birth Control Options

Having babies very close together is hard on your body. Pregnancies spaced close together may also affect the health of the later child. You and all of your babies will have a better chance for good health when you wait at least 18 months (one and a half years) after having a baby to get pregnant again. There are many methods you can use to space your pregnancies.

Talk to your doctor or nurse about your choices. They include abstinence (not having sex), using a permanent birth control method if you are sure you do not want any more children, or using one of the other methods listed below. You can use a birth control method even if you are breastfeeding.

This is a brief list of birth control methods available to you and your partner. Contact your family planning clinic or your healthcare provider for a more complete list.

Talk about what is best for you. Some methods protect against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases better than others. Some methods have to be used correctly every day or every time you have sex; others are long-acting.

• Permanent birth control methods
• Abstinence (No sexual contact))
• Hormonal methods (The Pill, some IUD's, Depo-Provera, the Patch)
• Barrier methods (Male and female condoms, spermicides, diaphragm, cervical cap)
• Surgical methods (Vasectomy, tubal ligation)
• Natural family planning (Mucus, basal body temperature, rhythm or calendar method)