Contraception by LAM method-Lactation Amenorrhoea Method

 

 

Q.& Ans on LAM

Principle:    In women using Lactation Amenorhoea Method (LAM) and exclusive breast-feeding the chance of pregnancy in the first six months after childbirth is very low (2%). Still if there is apprehension about conception EC (emergency contraceptive ) may be used if one is worried ,There is no harm in such emergency contraceptive.  Use of emergency contraceptive may be used as and when warranted in lactation period as such pills  do not affect milk production and can be safely used.

 Q 1: .  What is meant by Lactation Amenorrhoea Method of Contraception (LAM)?

Ans. Most of us have heard this term earlier but no teacher have explained to us properly. By LAM it is meant natural temporary infecundity enjoyed by a woman in the first six months following childbirth provided. But three conditions do apply .Such are :-

Condition 1:  She has not resumed menstruation after childbirth –

Condition 2:  She is putting the infant to breast at least 80 minutes per twenty four hours. This mean she is breastfeeding every 3-4 hours including one or two breastfeed at night breastfeed at night. This will ensure an ovulation (no release of eggs from ovaries) and thus prevent conception.

Condition 3 :  This LAM method is not applicable after six completed months of childbirth.

 Q.2 : All right. The action of LAM is over after six months. Then what??

Ans:  Sadly , in spite of informations and availability of different methods of dependable contraceptives which can be safely used during breastfeeding period in a planned and phased  way six months post childbirth  few couple uses such regular dependable contraceptive methods as per international norms.

 Q. 3: What is their back of mind?? Why couple don’t use  dependable safe reversible contraceptives post delivery after six months  more so in rural areas of India?? Ans: Many couple  engages in unprotected sex during this special period (after six months and more so if she is amenorrhoic after Last child birth) assuming that pregnancy cannot occur so long as infant is breast feeding !!! Unfortunately this is far from true and ovulation can resume after six months even if she is breast feeding (including exclusive) and has remained amenorrhoic.  

Q. 5? Here come role of emergency contraceptives in a big way,  It is noteworthy that these new types of drugs emergency contraceptives(EC) can prevent pregnancy not only from unprotected coitus but also prevent pregnancy if there is a contraceptive accident (see below—omission of COC, POP, Unknowingly expulsion of Cu T device, delay in Inj DMPA over 96 hrs) ).

These Kind of drugs emergency contraceptives are sometimes called as “morning after pills”, last chance contraceptives, after sex contraceptives. But they are better named emergency contraceptives. Such type of drugs is safe for breastfeeding women  and women should have no doubt on this. The only limitation of these drugs is that such drugs don’t protect against sexually transmitted diseases.