Contraception & screeningFree in the app
Postpartum contraception & effectiveness
Timings after birth and failure rates.
Source: UKMEC 2025 · FSRHAfter birth
| IUD / IUS | Within 48 h or from 4 weeks (48 h–4 weeks = UKMEC 3). |
|---|---|
| Implant / POP | Any time. |
| Combined | From 21 days if not breastfeeding (6 weeks if breastfeeding). |
| LAM | Up to 6 months if fully breastfeeding and no periods. |
Typical-use failure / year
| Implant | 0.05% |
|---|---|
| LNG-IUS | 0.2% |
| Cu-IUD | 0.8% |
| Injection | 6% |
| Pill | 9% |
| Condom | 18% |
A summary for trained clinicians. Always check the full guideline, the patient in front of you and your hospital's protocol. Spotted an error? Tell us.