Birth Control (Family Planning)

Planning if, or when, you want to have another child can help you avoid the health and financial concerns associated with an unintended pregnancy. Timing and spacing pregnancies is better for your body. Planning your family helps you take control over your life and health care.

It’s important to decide what birth control method you want to use before the baby is born. Talk to your doctor, nurse or midwife about what kind of birth control is best for you. It is possible to become pregnant soon after you have your baby even if you are breastfeeding.

When breastfeeding, there are many choices for birth control. Non-hormonal methods should be considered first. If you want to use a hormonal birth control method, it is important to choose a method that contains little or none of the hormone estrogen. The estrogen may decrease your milk supply and lead to early weaning. Progestin only hormonal methods are safe for breastfeeding mothers once their milk supply is in.

Remember – Birth control services are confidential. The only way others will know if you are using birth control is if you tell them. You don’t need permission from anyone else to access family planning services.

Decide Which Method is Right For You

The Washington State Department of Health offers a free brochure that provides information about birth control methods. The brochure talks about commonly used birth control methods, how each method works, when you should use it, how you can get it, and the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

• You can get a free copy of the brochure “Birth Control: Choosing the Method That’s Right for You” by calling the Family Planning/Take Charge Hotline at 1-800-770-4334.

• You can also download a free copy of the brochure Birth Control: Choosing the Method That’s Right for You. (note: file is large and may take time to open)

Affordable Birth Control Services or Health Insurance

Take Charge

You and your partner may be eligible to receive free birth control through a program called Take Charge.

• Call the Family Planning/Take Charge Hotline at 1-800-770-4334 to see if you qualify for this program.

Basic Health

You may qualify for low cost health insurance that provides coverage for birth control. Basic Health is the health insurance program offered by Washington State.

• Learn more about Basic Health and see if you may be eligible.

Family Planning Clinics

Many family planning clinics offer services and birth control based on a sliding fee scale. Depending on your family’s income, you may be required to pay only a certain portion of the total cost of treatment and medication. Some clinics provide services for free.

• To find a clinic that offers a sliding fee scale, call the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588.

If You Already Have Health Insurance

• Contact your health insurance plan to find out what methods are covered and if you must pay a co-payment.

• If you have Medicaid coverage for your pregnancy (also called First Steps, Pregnancy Medicaid or the medical coupon), you can get free birth control services for 12 months or one year following the birth of your baby. To learn more, talk to your health care provider or call the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588.