How soon after having a baby can I get pregnant again?

You can get pregnant again from 21 days after giving birth, even before your first period comes back. Aim to be using contraception by day 21.

Can I take the pill while breastfeeding?

Yes. The mini pill can be started any time from birth, however you feed your baby. The combined pill can be started from 6 weeks after birth for most people, including if you are breastfeeding. If you notice your milk supply drop on a pill, talk to us or your GP.

When can I start the combined pill after giving birth?

From 6 weeks after birth for most people, including if you are breastfeeding. If you are formula feeding and have no extra risk factors for blood clots, it may be possible from 3 weeks (21 days). Extra clot risks include a caesarean birth, smoking, a BMI of 30 or more, being 35 or over, pre-eclampsia, heavy bleeding after birth or a blood transfusion, or reduced mobility. The pharmacist checks this with you, and you need a blood pressure reading from the last 12 months.

Is breastfeeding enough to stop me getting pregnant?

Breastfeeding as contraception, called the lactational amenorrhoea method, is up to 98% effective, but only while all three of these are true: you are fully breast or chest feeding day and night, your baby is under 6 months old, and your period has not come back. If any of these changes, you need another method of contraception.

I started a pill in hospital. Can you send my next supply?

Yes. Book a free consultation and a contraception specialist pharmacist will call you. If the pill is still right for you, we post your next supply free in plain packaging, usually within 1 to 3 working days.

Your midwife started your care. We can carry it on.

Contraception after having a baby: when and how to start the pill

NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service.

Contraception after having a baby, free through the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service. A contraception specialist pharmacist calls you, and if the pill is right for you, it is posted free to your door. No GP appointment, no trip out with the pram.

Free NHS phone consultation
Pill posted free
Up to 6 months at a time
No GP appointment, ages 16+

Book a free NHS pharmacist consultation

Supply is subject to the pharmacist's assessment.

Reviewed by Usama Ali, MPharm (GPhC: 2224726). Last reviewed: November 2026.

After birth: the key dates

From birth: the mini pill can be started, however you feed your baby.
Day 21: you can get pregnant again from now, even before your first period. Aim to be using contraception by this point.
From 3 weeks: the combined pill may be possible if you are formula feeding and have no extra clot risks.
From 6 weeks: the combined pill for most people, including if you are breastfeeding.

Your pharmacist checks which pill and timing suit you.

When do you need contraception after birth?

You can get pregnant again from 21 days after birth, even before your first period comes back (FSRH, Contraception After Pregnancy). Aim to be using contraception by day 21. You can book your free consultation before then, so your pill arrives in time.

Which pill can you start after birth, and when?

Mini pill (progestogen-only)

You can start it any time from birth, however you feed your baby.
Started by day 21, no extra precautions are needed.
Started later, the pharmacist checks you are not pregnant and you use condoms for 2 days.
Your pharmacist will tell you if your pill has different timing.

Combined pill

From 6 weeks after birth for most people, including if you are breastfeeding (UKMEC).
If you are formula feeding with no extra clot risk factors, it may be possible from 3 weeks (21 days).
Extra clot risks include a caesarean birth, smoking, a BMI of 30 or more, being 35 or over, pre-eclampsia, heavy bleeding after birth or a blood transfusion, or reduced mobility. The pharmacist checks this.
You need a blood pressure reading from the last 12 months.

Coil, implant or injection

We supply the pill only. For a coil, implant or injection, ask your midwife, your GP or your local sexual health clinic.

Can you rely on breastfeeding as contraception?

Breastfeeding as contraception (the lactational amenorrhoea method) is up to 98% effective (FSRH), but only while all three of these are true:

you are fully breast or chest feeding, day and night
your baby is under 6 months old
your period has not come back

If any of these changes, you need another method. If you notice your milk supply drop on a pill, talk to us or your GP.

Already started a pill in hospital? We can send your next supply. Book a free consultation and a pharmacist will check it is still right for you.

How it works

Book online. Pick a time that suits you and your baby. No account or card details needed.
A pharmacist calls you. A contraception specialist pharmacist calls you to check which pill suits you now.
Pill posted free. Sent in plain packaging, usually arriving in 1 to 3 working days.