According to Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health (FSRH) guidelines , contraceptive methods and advice about when to start them should be discussed during the antenatal period and immediately after childbirth. Further discussion and provision of contraception is an integral part of the six-week postpartum GP check. There is great variation in the return to fertility and sexual activity following childbirth but the earliest known time of ovulation is 27 days after delivery. Therefore, no contraception is needed until 21 days postpartum, which is nonetheless ahead of the six-week check. Advise all women that they may become fertile ahead of the return of their periods and should not delay the use of contraception if they do not wish to become pregnant again.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original article at https://patient.info/doctor/obstetrics/postpartum-contraception