When to start the mini pill?

Mrs. Alice · August 2011

I just had my 6 week pp appointment today and my OB prescribed the mini pill since I am EBFing. I forgot to ask her when I should start taking it. My PP bleeding stopped about a week ago and I haven't gotten a period yet. Do I start it now or wait until my period? Thanks!

hepcats · August 2011

You wait until after your first PP period.

bdutton0005 · August 2011

Mine told me to start when I got it filled. But I don't BF so I don't know if that makes a difference. I hadn't had a period yet either. You might want to call and ask since you are EBF'ing it could take a while to get your period back.

darmca · August 2011

hepcats:
You wait until after your first PP period.

Unless you plan on using condoms until then, that's a good way to get PG again. My nurse practitioner said you can start it right away: (he did a urine pg test in office to be sure I wasn't already pg)

When can I start taking the minipill?

If you're not breastfeeding, you can start taking the minipill right after delivery. In fact, since you may ovulate as soon as three weeks after you give birth, you'll need to start the minipill no later than 21 days after delivery to avoid getting pregnant if you have sex during this time.

If you're exclusively breastfeeding (meaning your baby is drinking no formula, only breast milk), it may be best to wait six weeks after delivery to start the minipill. By that time, your milk supply should be well established and your baby will be more mature. Besides, if you're exclusively breastfeeding, you won't be ovulating during your first six weeks after delivery, so there's no reason to start taking the minipill before then.

If you're only nursing occasionally and supplementing with formula, you'll need contraception sooner than six weeks postpartum if you plan to have sex during that time, so you may want to start the minipill at three weeks after delivery.

If you decide to wait longer to start the minipill, you can start anytime you want, as long as you're reasonably sure you're not pregnant ? that is, if you haven't had sex at all since delivery or your last period, or if you've been consistently and correctly using another method of contraception. If you've started menstruating again, you can be sure you're not pregnant by starting the minipill on the day you get your next period.

darmca · August 2011

dup

dairygirl19 · August 2011

I just asked my OB this because the NP told me one thing and I don't remember what he told me when I left the hospital.

What he said was to wait 6 weeks until your supply is established enough then take it on the next Sunday. You'll need backup BC for 7 days but not really a big deal.

He said you can't wait for your pp period because it's a fabulous way to end up pregnant again ASAP or because with some bfing women they're periods don't return for a whole year sometimes.

laurasuzanne2006 · August 2011

dairygirl19:
I just asked my OB this because the NP told me one thing and I don't remember what he told me when I left the hospital.

What he said was to wait 6 weeks until your supply is established enough then take it on the next Sunday. You'll need backup BC for 7 days but not really a big deal.

He said you can't wait for your pp period because it's a fabulous way to end up pregnant again ASAP or because with some bfing women they're periods don't return for a whole year sometimes.

This is what i was going to say. If you EBF it could be a long time before you get your first PP period.

SarahP15 · August 2011

dairygirl19:

I just asked my OB this because the NP told me one thing and I don't remember what he told me when I left the hospital.

What he said was to wait 6 weeks until your supply is established enough then take it on the next Sunday. You'll need backup BC for 7 days but not really a big deal.

He said you can't wait for your pp period because it's a fabulous way to end up pregnant again ASAP or because with some bfing women they're periods don't return for a whole year sometimes.

spot on.

MrsSt09 · August 2011

hepcats:
You wait until after your first PP period.

Unless you plan on using condoms until then, that's a good way to get PG again.

this, and ask the pharmacist when you get the prescription filled

McAllie5 · August 2011

SarahP15:
dairygirl19:

I just asked my OB this because the NP told me one thing and I don't remember what he told me when I left the hospital.

What he said was to wait 6 weeks until your supply is established enough then take it on the next Sunday. You'll need backup BC for 7 days but not really a big deal.

He said you can't wait for your pp period because it's a fabulous way to end up pregnant again ASAP or because with some bfing women they're periods don't return for a whole year sometimes.

spot on.

This. Don't wait for your period to start unless you want to get pregnant. And while you're waiting, that pill may expire because it could take a year or so to get that period.

nicoledyoung7 · August 2011

I went to the dr around 5 weeks and she said I could start the mini pill right away. I EBF. She said to take it for 2 full weeks before trusting it as my only bc. (We will use backup regardless! I'm not ready for another kiddo). My supply did not go down at all.

awisern · August 2011

I started taking it as soon as leaving the hospital. I'm EBF and it has not affected my supply.

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