This study will assess the impact of early initiation (less than one week postpartum) and delayed initiation (4 weeks postpartum) of two types of progestin-only contraceptive pills (POPs) on maternal, breastmilk, and infant outcomes.
This is a placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial enrolling dyads of mothers and their newborn babies. We will explore if the type and timing of initiation of pills is acceptable to the user with minimal side effects, impacts the supply or composition of breastmilk, and/or affects infant growth. Women will be randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups and will be blinded to group assignment: 1. immediate initiation of drospirenone-containing progestin-only pills (d-POPs), 2. immediate initiation of norethindrone-containing progestin-only pills (n-POPs) 3. immediate initiation of a placebo pill for one month followed by d-POPs.
