Hi,
I don't think Lactational Amenorrhea is as risky or tricky as Janet said. From
"Breastfeeding Management" (Brodribb)"In 1988 the World Health Organisation and
other interested parties formulated a concensus statement about the conditions
under which Lactation provides an effective and safe form of contraception.
Known as the Bellagio Concensus, it states that if a woman is fully or nearly
fully breastfeeding, is amenorrhoeic and is less than 6 mnths postpartum she is
98% protected from pregnancy."
Since that time, studies in Australia, Chile, the Phillippines, Pakistan and
the USA have confirmed this concensus, often showing failure rates of lower
than the two percent quoted. Thus, this applies in the developed as well as
developing countries and in well nourished women. A further conference in
Bellagio in 1995 confirmed the original findings and concluded that.
"Wheras amenorrheoea is an absolute requirement for ensuring a low risk of
pregnancy, it might be possible to relax or break the requirement of full or
nearly full breastfeeding. It may also be possible to extend the duration of
use beyond 6 mnths."
Kylie, please don't write an article that makes breastfeeding as a form or
contraception seem unreliable, silly or so difficult to comply with that it
would be impossible to use. (not that it sounds in any way like you would - but
that is the tone often in such articles.)
While the 2% are very vocal when they become pregnant, my observances are that
Lactational Amenhorrea is extremely reliable. The thing to remember is that
once your period is back all bets are off. (if under 6 mnths.)
While this whole story demonstrates that the plural of "stories" is not "data"
I returned to full time work when my son was 6 weeks old, and remained
amenhorreac until he was 15mths, whereupon I had one period and then got
pregnant with my 2nd.
Barb
----- Original Message -----
From: Kylie Carberry
To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au
Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2006 11:24 AM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] breastfeeding as contraception
if one isn't sure has got to be a good thing, hey?
Absolutely.
thanks for that, Janet.
Kylie Carberry
Freelance Journalist
p: +61 2 42970115
m: +61 2 418220638
f: +61 2 42970747
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "Janet Fraser" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au
To: <ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au>
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] breastfeeding as contraception
Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2006 10:56:35 +1100
It's a complex list of stuff, not just bfing, that creates lactational
ammenorhea, Kylie. Cosleeping, no dummies, no bottles of ebm, no being away
from your child/ren longer than about 3 hours, and having a nap in the daytime
with them among other things. And then ultimately each woman is different in
her experience of menstruation recommencing. Women who use bfing in conjunction
with knowing their own fertile signs are doubly covered and a barrier method
now and then if one isn't sure has got to be a good thing, hey?
J
----- Original Message -----
From: Kylie Carberry
To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au
Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2006 10:09 AM
Subject: [ozmidwifery] breastfeeding as contraception
I am doing a story on contraception for a pareting magazine. I want to
state that the WHO confirmed breastfeeding as 98 per cent effective means of
birth control for the first six months provided the baby was fully breasfed
and periods have not commenced. So as far as the 'fully' part goes, how is that
interpreted. My friend thought she was fully breastfeeding, however, her twin
boys were sleeping 8 hours at night and thus she became pregnant when they were
four months old. So does fully mean no less than four-hourly feeds. Or should
women just take added precautions if they are not up for any little surprises.
thanks in advance
Kylie Carberry
Freelance Journalist
p: +61 2 42970115
m: +61 2 418220638
f: +61 2 42970747
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