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

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Timing mikveh and IUD insertion postpartum

26 March, 2017
Question:

I gave birth to a baby 5 weeks ago. I am now on day 4 of my Shiva Nekiim. Three days after going to Mikveh, I have an appointment with my family doctor to insert a copper IUD. Should I wait and only go to Mikveh after my doctor inserts the copper IUD? What are the chances of my getting pregnant at 5.5 weeks post partum?


Answer:

Mazal tov on the birth of your baby!

We do not recommend delaying immersion until after the insertion. There is often staining associated with IUD insertion, which is easier to handle halachically after mikveh.  (For more details on staining, please see our articles on Stains and Toilet Paper.)

We suggest you discuss the situation with your health care provider to make the decision that is best for you. One possibility would be to immerse to enable other forms of closeness, but to delay having relations until the IUD is in place. Another option would be to use spermicide as contraceptive, which should be sufficiently effective at this stage postpartum, especially since an IUD inserted within four days of relations is itself a form of "morning after" contraception.  

Please write back with any further questions.

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