Timing of Initiation of
PPFP methods
Family Planning Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Government of India
Remember: fertility may
return even before return of
menses!
10/04/2025 Family Planning Division, Ministry of Health and 2
Family Welfare
Unmet Need among women in first year Post partum
1%
8%
Unmet need
26% Using Method
Women desire birth
within 2 years
Infecund
65%
N=11,349
10/04/2025 Family Planning
Source: Division,2009.
USAID/ACCESS. Ministry
FamilyofPlanning
Health and
Needs during the Extended Postpartum Period in India 3
Family Welfare
Rationale for Post Partum Family
planning
– Ensuring healthy spacing between births
– High unmet need for birth spacing
– Vulnerability to return of fertility
– Receptivity to accept family planning method is
high
– Increased access to services
10/04/2025 Family Planning Division, Ministry of Health and 4
Family Welfare
Timing of initiation of FP methods post partum
FP method Breast feeding client Non breast feeding client
Condoms As soon as she resumes sexual As soon as she resumes sexual
activity activity
Combined Oral After 6 months post partum Anytime on days 21-28 post
contraceptive pills partum
Progesterone only pills Anytime post partum, when woman is comfortable
Centchroman (Chhaya) Anytime within 4 weeks when woman is comfortable
MPA injectable From 6 weeks post partum Within 4 weeks post partum
IUCD Within 48 hours post partum Within 48 hours post partum
or after 6 weeks or after 6 weeks
Female sterilization Within 7 days post partum or Within 7 days post partum or
after 6 weeks after 6 weeks
Note: Male sterilization can be used any time
10/04/2025 Family Planning Division, Ministry of Health and 5
Family Welfare
Key Learnings
• High unmet need for contraception in post partum
period
• Providing family planning methods in post partum
period helps in maintaining healthy timing and spacing
between births
• Almost all available FP methods can be used in post
partum period.
10/04/2025 Family Planning Division, Ministry of Health and 6
Family Welfare
Thank You
10/04/2025 Family Planning Division, Ministry of Health and 7
Family Welfare
