It is possible to become pregnant again very quickly after childbirth, even if you are breastfeeding and your periods have not yet returned.
So it is important to consider effective contraception as soon as possible to allow you to appropriately plan for any subsequent pregnancy and to reduce any risks that can come from short intervals between pregnancies.
Not all contraceptive will be appropriate for all women, so please speak to your midwife or GP to discuss what options would be best for you to use during the postnatal period.
Further information
Find out about the different methods of contraception (to prevent pregnancy) available on the NHS, plus where to get them and how to decide which method suits you. Including emergency contraception (the morning after pill, and IUD).
NHS: Your contraception guide