Hi Dr, I have a 5yr old daughter and soon i will be giving birth to my second baby (boy) i never in my life taken prevention tablets or injection and i am scared to start now. my hubby and I have decide that this is our last baby and i want to insert a loop. Is it possible that they can insert it immediately after giving birth? Is it safer? should i wait a month or two after giving birth? Please advise. My e-mail add is:- YYYY@YYYY
Hi, inserting an intrauterine device after childbirth is usually done around 6-8 weeks after birth. Because the uterus is back down to it's normal size then. The doctors won't insert it directly after birth - as the uterus still has to shrink back down to the normal size and any intrauterine device wouldn't be" held" by the uterus. Most women won't have sex during those 6-8 weeks - as you are still postpartum - having postpartum discharge which is first red and slowly turns a different color until it stops after about 6-8 weeks. You can usually talk to the doctor at your postnatal check-up - or just after the birth so that the insertion can be organized for you ahead of time.  Hope this has helped. Kind regards, JR