Breastfeeding is not only beneficial to your baby, it can also be very healthy for you as well. In addition to helping you recover from pregnancy more quickly, breastfeeding can also be used as a natural family planning method. Known as the Lactational Amenorrhea method (LAM), this method is highly effective in preventing pregnancy in the months following childbirth.
What is LAM?
The Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) is a modern, temporary family planning method that has been developed as a tool to help support both breastfeeding and family planning use. It is based on the natural infertility resulting from certain patterns of breastfeeding. “Lactational” means related to breastfeeding; “Amenorrhea” means not having menstrual bleeding; and “Method” means a technique for contraception.
LAM is defined by three criteria:
1. the woman has had no bleeding after eight weeks postpartum AND
2. the baby is fully breastfed AND
3. the baby is less than six months old.
When any one of these three criteria is no longer met, another natural family planning method must be introduced in a timely manner to ensure healthy birth spacing.
How does LAM Work?
LAM works because of the change in the way the body produces reproductive hormones whilst fully breastfeeding. In order to release an egg (ovulate) and menstruate, your pituitary gland (a small gland inside of your brain) produces two hormones: follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). These hormones send signals to your eggs to mature and subsequently be released during ovulation. When you breastfeed, this process gets interrupted, thereby interfering with the production of both FSH and LH.
As your baby suckles, nerve impulses travel through your body and are received by your brain. This signals the production of a hormone called prolactin which stimulates milk production and it also suppresses the production of FSH and subsequently LH. As a result, ovulation and menstruation do not occur making it almost impossible to become pregnant.
How effective is the Lactational Amenorrhea Method?
The LAM is actually highly effective in preventing pregnancy when used correctly during the first six months of the postpartum time. If you continue to fully breastfeed and you have no bleeding after 8 weeks postpartum, LAM is at least 98% effective as a contraceptive method. Some women may be supplementing their breastfeeding with other fluids and in this case, they cannot use LAM (as they are not meeting the criteria), but they can use natural family planning’s breastfeeding charting method or other methods of contraception.
LAM is a highly effective form of birth control for mothers in the first half year after giving birth. During this time mothers who meet the LAM criteria can be confident that their risk of pregnancy is as low as it would be (or lower) with any other method of birth control.
Advantages of the Lactational Amenorrhea Method
There are a number of advantages of breastfeeding for contraceptive purposes:
- LAM is highly effective in preventing pregnancy when used correctly.
- LAM is easy and simple to use.
- LAM has no side effects.
- LAM doesn't interfere with intercourse.
- LAM is acceptable in most cultures.
- LAM can be initiated immediately postpartum
- LAM is economical and requires no commodities or supplies
- LAM contributes to optimal breastfeeding practices and therefore enhances maternal and infant health and nutrition
Disadvantages to the Lactational Amenorrhea Method
As with any birth control method, LAM is not without its drawbacks:
- LAM cannot be used after 6 months postpartum. Natural Family Planning’s Breastfeeding charting must be used or another contraceptive method chosen.
- Working Mothers may find it difficult to maintain a baby led feeding pattern.
- LAM does not protect against STIS.
What happens after 6 months postpartum?
Each of the three criteria listed above must be in place for LAM to be effective. Therefore, parents need to think about what options they will use when LAM is no longer a possibility. They should talk with their health care provider in advance about their decision so that they will be ready with a backup plan.
Some women, who have used LAM, choose after six months postpartum to use another Natural Family Planning (NFP) method called the Sympto-Thermal Method (STM). The STM is the most effective method of all Natural Family Planning methods, as it tracks the fertile and infertile times of a woman’s cycle by charting changes in cervical mucus, the cervix and body temperature. With correct use, the STM is as effective as birth control pills. It does take time and commitment to learn. Those interested in learning the STM should learn from a qualified fertility educator who is accredited with Natural Fertility NZ. To find an educator in your area visit www.naturalfertility.co.nz
Written by Jo Hayes, Natural Family Planning Consultant at Soul Fertility. Jo is accredited to Natural Fertility NZ who have educators throughout NZ who are qualified to teach Natural Family Planning including LAM, Breastfeeding Charting & the Sympto-Thermal Method (STM) for contraception or to conceive.
