Postnatal contraception advice

[lancashiremidwife]

Hi all, I am currently trying to improve the postnatal contraception advice midwives give to women following the birth of their baby. I want this to include things such as advice on what methods can be used when breastfeeding, the return of your fertility as well as if/when you may be planning on having more children (as this could affect choice of contraception)

What I would like to know is:
-did you receive any contraception advice from your midwife?

• did you feel like you took any of this information on board shortly after giving birth?
• did you feel comfortable talking to your midwife about resuming your sex life after you had given birth?

I want the advice we give to be respectful of the fact some people may not agree with using contraception, some people may not have a partner, some people may have struggled to get pregnant in the first place etc!
So any insights you wish to share about your experiences would be greatly appreciated! xx

I don't think the midwife mentioned contraception apart from telling me to see my gp to get some.
It wouldn't have bothered me if she went through more options though as it seems my body reacted differently to the injection and mini pill after having a baby and more information would have been useful

My midwife told me I could only really have the mini pill if I was breastfeeding, and that's what my doctor prescribed with very little discussion. I'm trying it but I have reservations, I didn't get on well with the pill before, but I haven't had a great deal of time to research alternatives. It would be nice if one or other of them had taken the time with me to talk through what's available, but I got the impression they didn't have the time. I'm hoping to try for a second child in about 12 months, so didn't want anything long term.

She asked what I planned to use. I said I'd like a coil.

She said speak to your GP. Eighteen months later I may have an appointment to get one fitted. It's a joke round here.

They really wanted me on the pill. I tried it against my better judgement and it mucked up my milk supply. Apparently I imagined that...

My midwife asked me if I'd like to discuss contraception, which I thought was a good opener, and makes room for those who have either decided already what kind they might want to use, and those who have struggled to conceive etc.

I said yes and she gave me some advice on what did what, asked if I was breastfeeding and told me which forms were compatible with that and which weren't etc. She also gave me some literature to read at my own leisure because in her words 'it's all a bit overwhelming isn't it? It's OK if none of this sinks in, just give these a read when you're ready'

I honestly couldn't fault her in the slightest. She was very non judgemental and very supportive.

I didn’t get any contraception advice at all and also wasn’t told to go for a six week appointment with my GP. I saw a bereavement midwife once after leaving the hospital but she didn’t talk to me about contraception (just about funerals). My baby died soon after she was born, but I don’t think that was an acceptable reason for there to be no follow up care, especially since I was in my third trimester and had had a cat 1 emergency caesarean.

My midwife just told me to have a think about contraception prior to my 6 week check, but nothing else was said about types or advice

I do think I would have taken information on, but as long as it was a general conversation rather than being pushed to make a choice before that 6 week appointment. The GP did seem a bit put out when I said I didn't want to go on any contraception after issues before pregnancy, which was something I was worried about

There was no real conversation about sex after pregnancy.
I had stitches and wasn't sure how or if this would cause an issue, I guess I didn't feel comfortable asking.

I had so many different midwives I guess I never felt fully at ease to raise those conversations myself.

I got a cheery "see you this time next year, but speak to your gp if you decide you don't want another", she hadn't asked if I wanted more so not a particularly well considered approach.

I think a leaflet would be good alongside any conversation as there is a lot going on. Also they should be aware not all gps offer contraception advice, and not all offer 6wk appointments.

I also think this information should be available antenatally, although I appreciate that's not what you're looking at.

We’ve been practising the best form of contraception to gurantee no more babies. It’s called not have s, for the last 8 years. Must admit I’m not missing much from what I can remember 😂

@BexleyRae if in doubt the gp gives out free condoms at the very least x