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pubmed:otherAbstract |
PIP: Oral contraceptives were administered on Postpartum Day 5 to 363 patients, 83 of whom were breast-feeding, to determine if bleeding quantity could be reduced and menstrual periods established earlier in the puerperium, to evaluate the effect on lactation, and to note if side effects could be minimized by initiating pill usage earlier postpartum; 245 patients, of whom 91 were breast-feeding, served as controls. All of the women were patients at the U.S. Air Force Hospital in Wiesbaden, West Germany. 54% of the lactating mothers on the pill were successfully breast-feeding at 6 weeks compared with 59% of the controls. 87% of the patients taking pills had their 1st menstrual period before 6 weeks postpartum compared with 23% of the controls. No significant decrease in quantity of bleeding was noted. Patients taking the pill did report a weight gain. The uterus returned to normal size sooner in the group taking the pill and there was less breast tenderness. 65% of the multigravida mothers taking the pill thought they had a more favorable postpartum course, 24% saw no difference, and 11% thought their postpartum experience was less favorable. Patient acceptance was excellent and no major porblems were encountered.
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