This is an excerpt from Permission to Mother:
Barbara’s breastfeeding is going well. Her OB wants to insert an IUD at her six week check-up. Susan said her OB will only give her the mini-pill. Rhonda said her OB wanted to give her a shot of Depo right after her baby was born. For women who exclusively breastfeed and have not resumed having a menstrual period, breastfeeding is an excellent form of birth control for the first six months of a new baby’s life. However, women are often not presented with this option. I can remember being told in my training, “Breastfeeding is good birth control for the population, but not for the individual.” Over and over women are indoctrinated, “If you don’t use prescription birth control you will get pregnant.” As a result, physicians give “individuals” birth control out of fear that another pregnancy may occur. Birth control is not without side effects including potential compromise to milk supply. Amenorrhea is a pleasant benefit for many exclusively breastfeeding mother. The hurry to make a non-cycling women cycle without careful counseling is disturbing. I have never understood the rush for OB’s to prescribe birth control. Birth is good for their business!
Ecologic breastfeeding is good birth control for women who are instructed properly. I also find that women who enjoy breastfeeding usually enjoy mothering more and want more babies eventually. I encourage women to learn more about lactational amenorrhea, child spacing, and natural family planning. The Couple to Couple League International offers information, books and classes.
This is an excerpt from Permission to Mother:
Barbara’s breastfeeding is going well. Her OB wants to insert an IUD at her six week check-up. Susan said her OB will only give her the mini-pill. Rhonda said her OB wanted to give her a shot of Depo right after her baby was born. For women who exclusively breastfeed and have not resumed having a menstrual period, breastfeeding is an excellent form of birth control for the first six months of a new baby’s life. However, women are often not presented with this option. I can remember being told in my training, “Breastfeeding is good birth control for the population, but not for the individual.” Over and over women are indoctrinated, “If you don’t use prescription birth control you will get pregnant.” As a result, physicians give “individuals” birth control out of fear that another pregnancy may occur. Birth control is not without side effects including potential compromise to milk supply. Amenorrhea is a pleasant benefit for many exclusively breastfeeding mother. The hurry to make a non-cycling women cycle without careful counseling is disturbing. I have never understood the rush for OB’s to prescribe birth control. Birth is good for their business!
Ecologic breastfeeding is good birth control for women who are instructed properly. I also find that women who enjoy breastfeeding usually enjoy mothering more and want more babies eventually. I encourage women to learn more about lactational amenorrhea, child spacing, and natural family planning. The Couple to Couple League International offers information, books and classes.