Nishmat's Women’s Health and HalachaIn memory of Chaya Mirel bat R' Avraham

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LAM after period returns

27 February, 2009
Question:

After childbirth b"h, does LAM work if a woman's period has returned?


Answer:

The three essential criteria for the Lactational Amenorrhea Method of contraception (LAM) are:

1) baby less than 6 months old;

2) exclusive breastfeeding;

3) period has not returned.

Therefore, LAM cannot be relied upon once a woman's period has returned. However, if bleeding begins within a two-week interval after the bleeding from childbirth has stopped, it is not considered a period but rather an extension of postpartum lochia.

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