SUZANNE LaJOIE, MD: Barrier methods work by creating a physical and a chemical barrier against the sperm to prevent pregnancy. Condoms are a good form of a barrier method and they work by preventing the sperm from getting into the vagina and, therefore, prevent pregnancy. You do increase the effectiveness of condoms if you use a spermicide as well and some condoms have spermicide that are actually on them.
ANNOUNCER: Another non-hormonal solution is the diaphragm.
SUZANNE LaJOIE, MD: A diaphragm is a rubber dome that a woman inserts into the vagina before she has intercourse. She does use spermicide with it and she leaves it in after intercourse and removes it six hours afterwards and it works by, again, that chemical and that physical barrier so that a woman doesn't get pregnant.
A diaphragm can be used six weeks after a woman delivers, but it is important that she gets refitted after she has a baby, because sometimes the size can change and you want to make sure that the fit is correct.
ANNOUNCER: For those women who feel their family units are complete, surgical sterilization may be the solution to contraception with virtually no long-term health effects. The two options are tubal ligation and male vascectomy.
SUZANNE LaJOIE, MD: Some women actually have their tubes tied right after delivery or it can be done at the time of Caesarian section. Alternatively, sometimes women can have it done six weeks postpartum with a laparoscope.
I usually encourage women to really think long and hard about having their tubes tied, because it is irreversible and that's something that's — really needs to be understood and needs to be thought about.
ANNOUNCER: And if you don't want to rely on surgery, devices, injectables, or hormones, natural family planning methods allow a woman to learn about her own body cycles. In doing so, she can calculate when she is fertile and avoid sexual intercourse at those times. Although this may be fairly unreliable until regular menstrual cycles resume.
Whether your choice is a natural method, sterilization, a barrier method, or hormonal contraception, each of these alternatives should be weighed carefully after childbirth. Keep in mind, as you and your spouse get reacquainted in the bedroom, the best and safest sex, is the kind for which you are prepared. (And shhh! Don't wake the baby!)
