The New Mom’s Guide to Cervical Cancer Prevention: Why Postpartum Is the Right Time to Talk HPV

Welcoming a new baby into your life brings joy, excitement, and, yes, a lot of responsibility. As a new mom, your health might take a backseat while you focus on caring for your baby. However, the postpartum period is an ideal time to reflect on your health and take proactive steps to help protect it (1).

For most people, HPV clears on its own. But for those who don’t clear the virus, it can cause certain HPV related cancers and diseases. 

Understanding HPV and Its Link to Cervical Cancer  

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral infection of the reproductive tract, which is the main cause of cervical cancer and also vaginal, vulvar and anal cancers (2). In fact, cervical cancer is primarily caused by persistent infection with high-risk types of HPV (3). While most HPV infections clear on their own within a couple of years, some strains can linger and, over time, lead to the development of certain cancers (4).

Every 5 minutes, nearly one person loses her life to cervical cancer in India* (5).  The good news is that cervical cancer is largely preventable with the help of HPV vaccination and regular cervical screenings (1).

The postpartum period is the perfect time for new mothers to prioritise their health and discuss HPV prevention with their healthcare providers.

*Data as of 2022 

For most people, HPV clears on its own. But for those who don’t clear the virus, it can cause certain HPV related cancers and diseases. 

Why Postpartum Is the Right Time for HPV Vaccination

Many new moms may wonder if they can get vaccinated while breastfeeding. According to FOGSI (The Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India), breastfeeding is not a contraindication for HPV vaccination. Available evidence does not indicate an increased risk of adverse events linked to the vaccine in either the mother or their babies after administration of the HPV vaccine to lactating females (6).

For most people, HPV clears on its own. But for those who don’t clear the virus, it can cause certain HPV related cancers and diseases. 

HPV Vaccination: The First Step Towards Prevention  

Cervical cancer is preventable with the help of HPV vaccination (1). As a new mother, you have the chance to take charge of your health, discuss with your gynaecologist, and learn about HPV prevention and HELP protect yourself against certain HPV-related cancers. Discuss HPV vaccination with your gynaecologist.

For most people, HPV clears on its own. But for those who don’t clear the virus, it can cause certain HPV related cancers and diseases.

The HPV vaccine is not intended to be used for treatment and may not result in protection in all vaccine recipients. Vaccination does not eliminate the necessity for women to continue HPV relevant cancer screening recommended by HCP,” to be mentioned with all the claims around vaccine efficacy and effectiveness.

IN-GSL-01239 | 17/06/2025 – 13/03/2027

Also Read:

HPV and Cervical Cancer
Cervical Cancer and Fertility
Postpartum for HPV Prevention
Human Papillomavirus and Pregnancy
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in Children

Our Editorial Policy

Parenting is a huge responsibility, for you as a caregiver, but also for us as a parenting content platform. We understand that and take our responsibility of creating credible content seriously. FirstCry Parenting articles are written and published only after extensive research using factually sound references to deliver quality content that is accurate, validated by experts, and completely reliable. To understand how we go about creating content that is credible, read our editorial policy here.

Sources References

1. PubMed – Cost-effectiveness of human papillomavirus vaccination for adolescent girls in Punjab state: Implications for India’s universal immunization program

2. World Health Organization – Cervical cancer

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Epidemiology and prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases – Human Papillomavirus. Pink Book. 14th edn.

4. American Cancer Society – HPV Testing

5. ICO/IARC Information Centre on HPV and Cancer (HPV Information Centre) – Human Papillomavirus and Related Diseases in India. Summary Report

6. Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India – HPV: Human Papilloma Virus