Post baby birth control

rachel+family

Last pregnancy I had 10 months of ammenorhea after, because of breastfeeding and actually never got a period before this pregnancy. I figure I should consider some sort of birth control around 6 months post partum this time though. But, I hate hormonal birth control I know a lot of women are fine with it but it makes me crazy. I considered the copper IUD once but also got scared. My question is, any of you ladies practiced NFP (natural family planning) or tried the lady comp?
Edited for grammar and word usage

jennyhatt

Pulling out worked great for us

southernyankeegirl

As an infertility girl myself, I will say you are misusing that term - not having a period while breastfeeding is natural and normal (though I do imagine frustrating for someone wanting to try again) but not infertility. Lack of a period is called amenhorrea. Infertility is the inability to conceive after a year of trying (or 6 months for those over 35 years old as time may be a factor) and most doctors won't start that clock until after your first post partum period. Which, yes, can take awhile especially while breastfeeding.

I have friends who do NFP and it seems to work okay for them. You're a candidate if you have very regular cycles, and willing to accept that at best you'd have an 80% prevention rate (meaning at least 20% of those trying to avoid would get pregnant within a year). If your cycles are irregular (as most post partum women's are) then that's more like a 50% effectiveness. Also, you have to REALLY understand your cycle - I suggest reading the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility."

I'd consider the copper IUD. I am told after childbirth it's NBD to have put in. Personally I will probably go for that or Implanon if I ever want long term birth control again. It's a small bar implanted in the upper arm and releases a very low constant dose of hormones and lasts 5 years.

Mrs_Bennett

We've used NFP for years, but it's not really an ideal form of birth control right after giving birth unless you're okay with a surprise pregnancy. Since it relies on charting your period and other ovulation signs, it's impossible to be exact if you're not having a regular period yet. And, personally, I would not feel comfortable relying on it without ever charting my cycles before because it requires familiarity with your own body and cycles--which comes only with charting your regular cycles.
I second the PP about reading the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility. Very informative!

Milagros315

I agree with @southernyankeegirl‌ regarding the infertility, however I disagree with the part about NFP. Depending on which form of NFP you use, it can be highly effective. The FAM is as or more effective than BCPs assuming you use it correctly. That goes for all birth control - if you're not going to use it properly, it's not going to be effective. Cycle irregularity also does not decrease the effectiveness (again, assuming you use it properly) - it's actually great for people with irregular cycles because it's the only method thing that will let you know what's going on in your body.

I would also prefer not to use any hormonal birth control. Ideally I would go back to using FAM (charting cycles) but because I have endometriosis that might not be best. My doctor has mentioned that going on the mini pill immediately after the baby is born might be the best way to keep the edno from progressing preserve the little fertility I have. I still have to do some research and discuss this with him again though.

ETA: I guess I didn't really answer the question. Yes - I used NFP/FAM for about four years. We were trying to avoid for the first two years (and we did, but I'm infertile so that "helped"). I personally loved it. I had no desire to take any extra medicine if I could avoid (ha joke's on me), so this was perfect. I found it to be very easy, informative, and stress free but not everyone feels that way. You won't know until you try. Also, I imagine that it's a little more difficult to get started if you're not having periods. You will need to use condoms or abstain before you ovulate and until you get your cycle back, you have no way to determine when that might happen.

melmarie4

I read taking charge of your fertility(book on NFP) in order to get pregnant(worked the first month ) You should definitely read it if your interested in NFP. I'm considering using NFP instead of going back on birth control. It's pretty easy to chart especially if you get an app on your phone. Taking your temp can just become a natural part of your routine. My cycle isn't very consistent which is the only drawback. If your period comes regularly it will be much easier for you to chart. I will say though I wouldn't mind getting accidentally pregnant. If I 100% did not want another baby I would probably stick with bc or get an IUD, but that's because I haven't had a lot of practice with NFP. It would probably take me a year of not getting pregnant to completely trust NFP.

AlfiesMOM

We knew 100% we were going to have a second so we used condoms, it wasn't DHs FAVORITE but he agreed. This time I am not 100% sure we will have a third and if we do we won't be trying for 1.5 year at a minimum so I will likely go on so sort of birth control. I know for breastfeeding a lot of people and my doctor recommend the mini pill. I believe its non-hormonal, the only issue is its effectiveness decreases if you don't take it at the same time everyday. 

Lanatir

Actually, method effectiveness of NFP and many of the more common methods of birth control is fairly close.  Postpartum is definitely the worst time to try to start into a method of NFP, though.  There's always user error skewing actual results...

I have irregular cycles.  28-51 days.  4 years in, no surprise pregnancies.  Well, not exactly.  With this one, there was some cervical mucus present but we DTD anyway and the sperm happened to live longer than is normally possible, but I wasn't surprised.  And 3 years apart for siblings...  Not bad.

In recent years with the crunchy movement, NFP and FAM have been rising in popularity.  And clarification-- NFP does NOT use barriers during fertile times, but FAM okays sex during fertile times with a barrier method.  I suppose in a regular secular society it doesn't matter, but if you go exploring FB groups for help, it makes a HUGE difference.

luckylady18

I read Taking Charge of Your Fertility and I learned so much and I really think it helped us when we knew we wanted to start a family. I understood my body and was able to know when I was ovulating. The method in the book can also be used to avoid pregnancy. I highly recommend it.

After baby comes, I'll definitely be getting an IUD. Not sure if I'll do the copper one or the other one (forget what it's called), but I'll see what my doctor recommends for me. (I suffer from migraines and birth control makes them worse sometimes). For 2 years before we got pregnant we relied on condoms...It was fine but I'd rather not do that again.

The thing about the IUD also is if you start to react to it in a way you dont like, its easy to take it out and start from scratch again.

letsgox

Kind of the NFP route here. We weren't TTA necessarily and I didn't start charting again until 8 months PP, but I didn't get my first period until she was 12 months (after provera). I also prefer not to take hormonal BCP because of the way it has made me feel in the past. The only thing with charting is that you can ovulate before your first PPP and will only know in retrospect at that point.

MarxieVonTrapp

I went back on the Pill.  This time, though, I would prefer not to.  I think we'll either do NFP and/or just use condoms.

In another thread I mentioned that I'm not sure if we're done after this one, but when we are done with our family, DH is getting the snip.  If he doesn't want to, maybe we'll have a surprise.  That will force him to get the snip!

Lanatir

AlfiesMOM said:

We knew 100% we were going to have a second so we used condoms, it wasn't DHs FAVORITE but he agreed. This time I am not 100% sure we will have a third and if we do we won't be trying for 1.5 year at a minimum so I will likely go on so sort of birth control. I know for breastfeeding a lot of people and my doctor recommend the mini pill. I believe its non-hormonal, the only issue is its effectiveness decreases if you don't take it at the same time everyday. 

The mini pill is progesterone only.  It can still be a problem for women who have supply issues (as prolactin suppresses progesterone, so introducing progesterone can combat prolactin).  Also, a woman with family history of progesterone dominant reproductive cancers would want to talk with a doctor about the risks associated with taking progesterone.

I haven't done BC since my parents tried to stick me on it for a few months when my cycle wouldn't shut off.  I just kept bleeding...  And now, 10 years later, 6 of my mom's sisters AND my mom have had estrogen dominant breast cancer and the 7th sister had progesterone dominant...  So for my health I NEED to stay away from and read up on anything before I fill a prescription.  With those odds, though, I might just end up with some reproductive cancer anyway... Ugh.

Stargirlb

I have never been on any form of birth control, I use NFP. Pulling out and exclusive breastfeeding (no period after my first child until 15 months PP, second was 18 months,) was 100 percent effective for me. All three of my conceptions have been intentional and happened on the lone occasions he did not pull out.

I also don't use condoms unless I'm having sex with someone other than my dh

Stargirlb

If I was going to go on BC I would try a copper iud first

motherboy

I'm leaning toward getting Mirena. I've heard good things about it.

Stargirlb

motherboy said:

I'm leaning toward getting Mirena. I've heard good things about it.

I've heard a ton of terrible experiences with mirena

jennyhatt

@Stargirlb‌ I'm surprised you said that about a copper IUD. What scares me about IUDs is that all the health professionals and research, they aren't quite sure why it works. It may prevent ovulation but not sure. Also with possibility of copper toxicity? I haven't done a ton of research on it to be honest so in going on what little knowledge I do have. I also just feel weird personally about a foreign object basically implanting itself in my body for years. To each their own of course but then again I use the pull out method (with hubby alone- if I wasn't with an exclusive partner it would be condoms).
Buuuut:

Take a look at the "femcap"- I don't know too much about it, but it's like a silicone version of the old fashioned diaphragm. No hormones. Zero side effects. Research that shit and get back to me

Stargirlb

jennyhatt said:

@Stargirlb‌ I'm surprised you said that about a copper IUD. What scares me about IUDs is that all the health professionals and research, they aren't quite sure why it works. It may prevent ovulation but not sure. Also with possibility of copper toxicity? I haven't done a ton of research on it to be honest so in going on what little knowledge I do have. I also just feel weird personally about a foreign object basically implanting itself in my body for years. To each their own of course but then again I use the pull out method (with hubby alone- if I wasn't with an exclusive partner it would be condoms).
Buuuut:

Take a look at the "femcap"- I don't know too much about it, but it's like a silicone version of the old fashioned diaphragm. No hormones. Zero side effects. Research that shit and get back to me

Totally, and I would not take the decision lightly. Copper iud just sounded like the least-bad option for situations when an unwanted pregnancy is worse than the potential side effects. Never heard of the femcap... I will research the femcap and get back to you

ECATX

I was infertile before getting pregnant with DD via IVF, so I really wasn't too concerned about birth control after she was born. I didn't have a period for 6 months after she was born while I was breastfeeding, but then I got pregnant (huge surprise) not long after that. This time, DH is planning to get snipped sometime in that 6 month window. I don't really like being on the pill and don't like the idea of taking anything hormonal while breastfeeding, anyway.

nmrd

jennyhatt said:

Pulling out worked great for us

That did not work so well for us!

sanbry

We used NFP for awhile before we conceived our first. It worked fine then but we also didn't care if we got pregnant or not. We both think we are done after this one but I don't want to do anything permanent right away. So we will either use condoms or a paraguard iud if I'm breastfeeding, or the ortho tricyclen Lo BC pill if I'm not, since that's what I used between these two pregnancies and it worked well for me.

rachel+family

Wow thanks ladies! A lot to consider. I did read taking charge of your fertility (to get pregnant) but was very curious how it is for contraceptive purposes.
I was going to get the copper IUD last summer but chickened out and convinced my husband we should just have another baby. After two pregnancies I am in need of a baby making break longer than ten months. Still leaning towards FAM though

Also I will edit the OP from infertility to ammenorhea @southernyankeegirl‌

4littlebears

Stargirlb said:

motherboy said:

I'm leaning toward getting Mirena. I've heard good things about it.

I've heard a ton of terrible experiences with mirena

I hated the mirena. I had a constant period for 6 months after they put it in. Then lots of breakthrough bleeding. I finally took it out last fall because it felt like it was falling out but also I felt pregnant all the time. Perforated uterus seems to be a big con of IUD.

Also be aware that the copper IUD does not prevent ovulation or necessarily fertilization. It stops implantation but that is all. And I think it also makes it harder for anything to get through your cervix, ie sperm. Personally, I wouldn't go for the copper either. We will be going for permanent BC this time, but pulling out always worked in the past for us and we've been married 10 years worth no infertility problems.

moonfaerie

NFP resulted in conceiving DD2 before we were actively TTC, and also in the babe now due in January.

I have PCOS though, so I am not the best example. I'm sure it works better for people with regular periods.

rachel+family

@AlfiesMOM‌ I believe the mini pill does have hormones. No estrogen but I think it's progesterone only. May be wrong though

rachel+family

@4littlebears‌ that was another reason why I didn't get the copper IUD. Made me sad to think I could be still conceiving but just not allowing implantation. And I know it's rare but a friend of mine conceived with it and had to wait until delivery to remove the IUD. Scary pregnancy but the baby was fine thank goodness

4littlebears

rachel+family said:

@4littlebears‌ that was another reason why I didn't get the copper IUD. Made me sad to think I could be still conceiving but just not allowing implantation. And I know it's rare but a friend of mine conceived with it and had to wait until delivery to remove the IUD. Scary pregnancy but the baby was fine thank goodness

That would be my constant worry too. I felt SO pregnant on the mirena I insisted on an ultrasound to make sure, also to make sure it wasn't falling out though. But yeah, with IUD if you do happen to get pregnant they can't take it out but you're also at an increased risk of miscarriage because it keeps the lining of your uterus thin. I'm glad your friend and her baby were ok though!

LaBellaVida

Iud fer shur.
I hate taking a pill, hate needles, and don't think I'd love the ring.
We both hate condoms so, and I don't trust the pull out method.

Plus I had great success in the past with the iud.

BookitBoo

I'll probably take the pill, or talk to my doctor about the IUD. The shot was terrible for me

Edvent

I really leaning towards getting a tubal during my RCS. If I wasn't having another csection, DH had already offered to get a vasectomy.

I don't tolerate any hormonal BC well and we used FAM successfully for two years to prevent getting pregnant before DD. Then when we were ready to start trying we used it to conceive quickly. After DD I was EBF but my period still came back at 6 weeks. I was on nuvaring for a while but then we decided to do FAM again. We were not a diligent this time and here I am pregnant again. We are two and through, so looking for a permanent solution after this one is born!

vjdk07

I've had both the Mirena and Paragard. Loved Mirena, HATED Paragard.

This is our last and I will be having a tubal ligation.

danakatiepfoltzer

I didn't read any of the other replies but I use NFP. I have never used any form of birth control - hormonal or otherwise.

I successfully used NFP to avoid preg for a year, then to conceive DS1. I did not get my period for 10 months after birth. Then I used NFP to avoid for another year then I used it ttc this LO.

NFP isn't "rhythm method" and there are several science- based methods. I used sympto-thermal method, but marquette and creighton use monitors so that might be more assuring to you.

I'd definitely recommend getting a teacher though bc the post labor time can be tricky if you don't know the rules.

One last thing- if done right NFP is 99% effective

Let me know if you want more info like on finding a support group or how to find a teacher.

cabbeeby

Mirena worked well for me (after trying both pill and shot - pill was too nerve wracking because I forgot too often and shot made me gain a lot of weight).  I didn't have periods but I could tell when they would have been because I would have some very mild cramping and spotting. 
I was worried when I got it out because THAT was when I started reading all kinds of horror stories about it... but I ovulated about 3 weeks after getting it out.  Since I hadn't given birth before Mirena hurt like a mofo going in and out, but that's not going to be an issue anymore I hope. 

I'm not certain that I will have it in again after this, but if I chose something other than NFP or FAM it would be Mirena since I know I do well with it.  Compared to other methods of hormonal bc it is the lowest hormone levels because it is positioned right there in the "zone" and releases constantly instead of - like the pill for example - giving you a whole day's dose at one time. 

TXUltraRunner

With the issues we have BC is not something I'll have to worry about. If I did get pregnant I would go play the lottery and celebrate

Pips09

We are closing the factory down. I'm planning to have a tubal. 

rachel+family

@danakatiepfoltzer‌ you are my new BFF! What kinds of monitors are you talking about? I've only heard of the lady comp but am very interested in some sort if monitor because I can't see myself charting with pen and paper. Sounds silly but I know myself

luciddreamer106

I really don't ever want to go back on hormonal BC. It took quite some time for my cycles to regulate after stopping. I've only used the FAM for TTC , but plan on using it postpartum. I don't want to wait very long before TTC anyway in case the time table is the same as it was with this one.

SpaceGirlSpiff

Since we are done with babies after this, I wouldn't be sane with chancing something like NFP or pull-out method (Pull out method is how we got DS1)....I'd be constantly paranoid and the risk is higher for a slip-up.  

I'm thinking I will probably get the implant (implanon or nexplanon or whatever it is) for the next 3 years and then evaluate if I do something permanent after that point.  I THINK the hormones in that are less than the 2 hormone pill, so I'm hoping it wont be as bad side-effects wise...but I can't remember..

newguardwife

I don't need to worry about it this time as hubby will be deploying likely before we get the clear to dtd, but when he gets back hubby is getting the snip, until that's done he'll have to deal with condoms (which he hate, encouragement to get it done).

Lanatir

Clearblue also makes a fertility monitor.  While monitors are one of the easiest ways to use NFP or FAM, it is one of the more expensive.  Initial purchase price for a monitor will depend on brand (I think Clearblue runs around $150?) and then test strips vary by amount you buy.

SpaceGirlSpiff

That's what I thought that it was progesterone only like the mini pill....Thanks!

Still have to talk to my doc about it, not 100% decided...but IUDs scare me and I'm sick of the pill ...so I'm hoping the implant will work for me

One of my more minor gripes with the 2 hormone pills is it absolutely kills my sex drive -- Did you experience anything like that with the implant @CrazyMonkeyBear ? I think you said you had it, right?