When to start the pill after pregnancy.

Abstract

After a term pregnancy in a woman who is not nursing, she should wait 2 weeks after delivery before she starts the pill because the 1st ovulation will not occur until at least 4 weeks postpartum, and usually later. Another reason for waiting 2 weeks, is a consequence of the increased risk of thromboembolism in the normal puerperium caused by changes in the blood-clotting factors; if oral contraception was commenced immediately postpartum it would further increase the possible risk of thromboembolism.