Women will generally not feel like having
intercourse for two to six weeks after
childbirth, but of course this is
variable. When a woman becomes fertile
again also depends upon many variables. If
she is breastfeeding exclusively – not
using formula supplements at all - and she
is not having periods, fertility can be
delayed for up to six months with high
reliability. If supplements such as
formula or solid foods are offered,
fertility may return. It depends upon the
woman's fertility level prior to the
pregnancy, the baby's patterns of feeding
and whether or not periods have resumed.
If a woman does not breastfeed, fertility
can return as soon as two weeks after
birth. More commonly, fertility returns
between two and six weeks postpartum.
The bottom line is to use some form of
protection all of the time unless a
pregnancy would be OK. Condoms are best
initially. If breastfeeding, your wife
should wait until her milk supply is well
established before using birth control
pills.
