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when to start taking birth control

I just recently had a baby on Sept 5, I have a prescription for birth control but I am not sure when to start taking them. I think the nurse at the hospital told me to start taking them on the third Sunday after the baby, but I am not sure. Can you help me?
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616411 tn?1221764253
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Administration of most combination oral contraceptives (OCs) begins on the first Sunday after or on which bleeding has started. If you have not started menstruating, 3 weeks post partum would be when you would have most likely been told to restart your BCP.


Tony is correct, if you are in fact breastfeeding you should discuss with your OB/GYN a progestin only pill ( a good example would be NORA-BE TABLET) . If not here are some low dose pills to consider.
Very low-dose pills
Generic Name                                           Brand Name
desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol                 Mircette    
drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol YAZ
levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol Alesse, Lybrel
norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol LoEstrin 1/20


Best of luck to you and congratulations!

Jennifer R RPh www.drugstore.com
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Avatar universal
3 weeks post-partum is typically when woman are told to restart BCPs.  If you're breast feeding, a progestin-only pill (norethidrone) is preferred because it doesn't cross into the breast milk.  Hope that helps,

Tony, Pharmacist
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