birth control

carries2018

1) what is your BC method of choice?
2) how long have you been on it (before TTC obviously)?
3) plans to go back on it after baby or something else?
4) negative side effects?
5) things you like about it?

bluejeanbabi05

Oooohhh good topic @carries2018!

I started taking hormonal bc pills when I was 17, and loved them. I didn't know back then I had PCOS, but when I went off of them and got dxed with PCOS, I learned that the bc had been keeping all those symptoms at bay. Plus, I had no side effects or mood swings on bc. Unfortunately, when I switched OBs a few years back, she found out I get migraines with auras, and apparently that plus the hormonal bc leads to a higher risk of strokes. So, I went on the mini-pill for a few months until I just decided to go off bc completely and let my cycles settle before ttc.

The mini-pill is the absolute worst. The worst. 

I can't decide if I want to go on it for a year after baby, just to be safe, or use the super safe pull-out method. It took us forever to get KU, so it's not like I'm super worried about that, but you never know.

eta: I am good with charting and temping as well, so I would use NFP if I decided not to use the mini-pill. Still makes me nervous, though, as my cycles are pretty irregular. 

kkerner87

I havent taken BC since I was 17. It used to give me blackout migraines and manic mood swings. I tried so many different kinds over the years. Nothing seemed to help, or had some other negative side effect. I took it before I was sexually active to help with bad periods, but ultimately i decided it was not for me. Havent taken it in about 13 years.

bluejeanbabi05

@kkerner87 I will say, I used to get migraines as well, not super often but maybe 4-5 times a year. Since I went off of it 2.5 years ago, I have not gotten one migraine.

eta: *knock on wood*

carries2018

1) what is your BC method of choice? Natural Family Planning
2) how long have you been on it (before TTC obviously)? 7 years
3) plans to go back on it after baby or something else? i would love to go back to it bc it was so easy for me and clearly worked. buuttttt i am 98% sure we are done and i am really not interested in getting pregnant or having the monthly "oh shit i am 12 hours late" panic attack especially when things are so irregular after the baby.
4) negative side effects? panic attacks wondering if you are pregnant all the time.
5) things you like about it? so easy, no added hormones.

laeberge3

I like this topic! I was thinking about it for post-baby. 

1) what is your BC method of choice?  Before TTC, we were using condoms and the pull out method.  I have never been on hormonal birth control and am nervous about going down that path. We have never had an unintended pregnancy while using these less than reliable methods but it's not too surprising given our troubles TTC. So, we'll see what I want to do post-baby. 

2) how long have you been on it (before TTC obviously)?  The entirety of my sex-having years (ha!)

3) plans to go back on it after baby or something else?  Not sure so I'm interested in everyone's experiences.

canonmom413

1) what is your BC method of choice?
* we used natural family planning and condoms prior. 
2) how long have you been on it (before TTC obviously)?
* I have only taken BC pills in high school. After HS, I stopped. Until after my MC's because the dr. Said it would really be detremental to my health if a slip up was to happen right after, until 3 months post. After that I just charted and planned around that. 
3) plans to go back on it after baby or something else?
I am planning on BC pills after this LO until DH gets his Vasectomy. 
4) negative side effects?
I hated how it messes with my hormones , and how crazy it made me. I'm hoping I don't have the same reaction now that it's been many years. If I do have an adverse reaction, l talk to my OB about other options. 
5) things you like about it? 
the only thing I like about BC is that it prevents me from having another babe until ready. And in this next case, prevent another babe all together. 

beezeee

NFP here. I've been doing it since about 8 months before I got pregnant with DD, so a little over 4 years. Only side effect (if you want to call it that) is the fact that we could end up getting pregnant without trying, but that's not a huge concern for us and I understand my cycle well, so not really worried about it. It's worked great for us, as both of my pregnancies have been planned.

I started on traditional BC pills when I was a teenager and first became sexually active. I can't remember which one, but I never had any issues with it. About a year before we switched to NFP, my doctor took me off traditional pills and switched me to the mini pill, due to my migraines and the risk of strokes. Like @bluejeanbabi05 said, it was the worst. I took about 100 pg tests during that time, because I had lots of spotting, nausea, cramping, mood swings, with no consistent trackable period.

After LO, we will go back to NFP. After being off of hormonal BC for so long, I feel so much better, more in tune with my body, etc. Eventually, when DH are sure that we're done (which is probably the case after this LO), he will get a vasectomy.

monstera13

So my method of choice is pull-out, despite it not being the most effective. DH and I successfully avoided pregnancy using the pull-out method for about 4 years, and then it took several months to get pregnant when TTC. So I'm not super worried about effectiveness lol. 

However, I have used the pill in the past (Ortho TriCyclin). I mainly took it to help with super-heavy and irregular periods. I've gone through times where I'd have a period for a week, off for a week, period for a week, off for a week, etc. So I was bleeding half of the time! The pill helped with that, but I didn't like the normal side effects of taking a hormone pill (e.g., weight gain, mood swings, etc.)

I am interested in doing a long-term birth control after having this baby because we don't plan to make a sibling for several years. I'd rather not take the pill, so I'm considering that injection they put in your arm. Has anyone tried it? 

bluejeanbabi05

FFTC: I switched OBs again when I got KU because I needed someone who delivered at the hospital we wanted. Sometimes I think about just....not telling them about my migraines when I'm done breastfeeding but before we want to ttc, so they'll let me go on normal bc pills. 

Bad bluejeanbabi. Bad.

carries2018

@jessirh i think i am interested in that method too. i really dont want IUD and i was on the pill in college but it never really floated my boat.

Brambles23

1) what is your BC method of choice? Hormonal birth control pills.  Ortho tri-cyclin I believe.  Condoms when not on the pill.  

2) how long have you been on it (before TTC obviously)?  On and off since college (10+ years)
3) plans to go back on it after baby or something else?  I think I will.  
4) negative side effects?  Not really.  
5) things you like about it? It cleared up my skin.  That's great because once I turned 30 my face decided that it missed the good ol' days of high school.  

VLillyV

1) what is your BC method of choice? Low Dose Pill & Charting/pull out

2) how long have you been on it (before TTC obviously)? I started taking it at about 16years thru 17years old (Ortho Tri Cyclin Lo), stopped and used the pull-out method for several years. Then, resumed the pill for 1 year exactly from sept 15 to sept 16, I TTC for about 4 months before getting KU.

3) plans to go back on it after baby or something else? Unsure. I will try to avoid it if I can and simply use the pull out method. It worked for us through the course of 7 years.

4) negative side effects?
The first pills I were on had no side effects for me. The second round was bad. I became depressed, very easily agitated and irrational (think hysterically crying for no reason) and had 0 libido. I'm totally myself now being off of it. I don't remember the name off the top of my head but it was a common issue with other women when I searched online. OH, and i GAINED 20lbs in a year. I don't gain weight easily, that was shocking.

5) things you like about it? 
The first pill again was just perfect for me, no issues and no babies. The second pill I'd say the only benefit was that I did not get pregnant, even after taking it a little late once in a while.

ariz17

This is a good topic! 'I have some questions too.. We are planning on going "back to back," as BF puts it, but I also need to plan with the other girl on my team at work. She said shes going to start trying again in the fall, probably when I start maternity leave. I don't know if it would be pointless to go back on the pill until she gets back from her maternity leave? Or just try the pull out method an hope for the best. I kind of don't want to go on the pill if we're planning on having another soon. Hmm. Any advice?

1) what is your BC method of choice? Hormonal birth control pill

2) how long have you been on it (before TTC obviously)? Since i was 15. I had very bad periods. Still do..well did lol. So around 11 years total. Seems like such a long time. I was surprised how quickly we conceived. 

3) plans to go back on it after baby or something else? I'm hoping you ladies share your experiences because I don't know what to do ah!

4) negative side effects? Not really it didn't make me too hormonal. However, I do remember be dry down there, which was kind of annoying. Also, sometimes I was bad at taking it at the right time everyday. 

5) things you like about it? I worked for this long, so I'd say its pretty reliable. And it made my periods pretty light and only lasted like 3 days. 

JessDG

1) what is your BC method of choice?  I was on the pill (Junel)
2) how long have you been on it (before TTC obviously)?  I was on it for about a year
3) plans to go back on it after baby or something else?  I'm going to have to do something different, since I was actively taking my pills correctly and had not missed one and got pregnant.  So...obviously they don't work.  I don't really want an IUD and am wary of other pills not working either, so I think I'm going to try to convince DH to try NFP/condoms/pull out.  Any suggestions on how to get started with that?  
4) negative side effects?  Obviously it not working!  Other than that I always felt a little off, but nothing totally terrible.  When I was on my honeymoon in August, I skipped the inactive pills and had some spotting through October.  I may have messed myself up, but my OB said it was fine to do that...who knows.  
5) things you like about it? I have a really short cycle (24 or 25 days) and it was really nice to have it regulated a little better and not as heavy of a period.  

bluejeanbabi05

@jessdg pick up a copy of the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility. It's gold and lays out everything you need to know about NFP, charting, etc.

eta: it's gold, as in awesome, not as in that's the color of the book  

carries2018

@ariz17 if you are looking for another soon i wouldn't go on the pill personally. that was part of the reason we did NFP bc if it failed, we wanted that baby anyways...just probably sooner than anticipated. you need to get a basal thermometer and temp every morning when you first wake up (before you move around), download Fertility Friend and input in there. after a few months you will know your cycles and just use condoms during the fertile window. or do the lazy way like me and just use condoms on the app's suggested fertile windows (from temping in the past i knew my ovulation was pretty middle of the cycle so i just extended my window a little further to be safe). note the lazy way is a super risky way if you dont have much of a clue on your cycle. and as my OB says about this method "it works...if you don't mind getting pregnant, see you in a few months for your prenatal"

bluejeanbabi05

Lol @carries2018. +1 for the fertility friend app @jessdg along with that book.

ariz17

Thanks! @carries2018 I totally forgot about NFP and fertility apps. I think that is the route we'll go for sure. 

bluejeanbabi05

Just everyone be aware that you can ovulate BEFORE your first post-partum period, so NFP is harder during that time, esp if you haven't done it before. Breastfeeding is NOT birth control.

eta: there is a method with breastfeeding that TCOYF mentions, that has a lot of strict requirements about how often you have to feed baby, but I would still be paranoid even using that. 

riverrainez

1) what is your BC method of choice?  I was on the pill for about 10 years during and after college, until we started ttc baby #1. Then after I had DS I got an IUD (Mirena) and had that for about a year before we wanted to ttc again.
2) how long have you been on it (before TTC obviously)?  See above
3) plans to go back on it after baby or something else?  DH is going to get a vasectomy, but I might opt to get an IUD placed again because I loved not having periods and I experienced zero side effects. 
4) negative side effects?  None really for me.
5) things you like about it? No periods! And not having to remember to take the pill at the same time every day. I definitely had issues with that while I was on the pill.

carries2018

yes with DD1 i got my period 8 weeks after having her and i was exclusively BFing, that means 2 weeks after i was given the go to do the sex. if i didnt use a condom i could have had an oops. Also if you do end up in a csection they recommend at least 18 months surgery to surgery, that means not TTC until LO is 9months+ so you want to be a little more cautious.

melarowan

1) what is your BC method of choice? Nothing
2) how long have you been on it (before TTC obviously)? I haven't been on any for 6+ years due to being told I'm infertile
3) plans to go back on it after baby or something else? Part of me thinks that an IUD might be the way to go. I don't want to do injections or pills. But, obv. something because my SO has super sperm that knocked me up the 3rd or 4th time we DTD. I just want something that I don't have to think about often.
4) negative side effects? Pills: I'm not good about taking them daily, Shot: It was supposed to last for 6 months, but I had no period for 18 months in my 20's and went through false menopause.  I'm never doing that again!

carries2018

welp you ladies are scaring me haha i might just go back to condoms and praying method until H gets a V in a few years.

ariz17

@melarowan false menopause?! That sounds horrible.

purplestarz

Ooooh, great thread. My OB keeps bugging me about what my plans are for BC after baby and I know she won't stop until there's a plan in place. Annoying but I know it's in my best interest.

1) what is your BC method of choice? The pill. Various different brands, including the mini pill for 1 year after DD.
2) how long have you been on it (before TTC obviously)? A long ass time. I think I started on it when I was 17 (so...2003ish? thanks planned parenthood! lol), took a brief break until DH and I got together in 2006. So ever since then, aside for the few TTC months. Also used condoms for a couple months prior to TTC because I wanted to be off the pill for a couple months.
3) plans to go back on it after baby or something else? I'd rather not. But I'm completely naive about other methods. I'll probably just go with what my OB reccomends but an IUD freaks me out for some reason.
4) negative side effects? Weight gain, and for me decreased sex drive (main reason why I don't want to go back)
5) things you like about it?  My periods were regulated to a T.

ideally I would like DH to get a vasectomy, but he wants me to be 1000000% sure we are done having kids. I pretty sure I am; however, I also said I was done after we had DD so I see where he is coming from so the vasectomy probably won't happen for a year or two.

NFP sounds wonderful but I'm too scared. We are super lucky in regards to how quickly I was able to get KU each time so I don't think I trust myself with NFP. 

I'm also another one who got her period a couple of months after having DD even though I was exclusively breastfeeding.

migdala

1) what is your BC method of choice?  NFP
2) how long have you been on it (before TTC obviously)?  2 years before TTC
3) plans to go back on it after baby or something else?  I feel like I don't really have a choice.  I do not want to take hormonal birth control and my periods are bad enough without the copper IUD, and our sex life would suffer severely with condoms (I hate the smell of them).
4) negative side effects?  Well our first pregnancy was an oops because DH forgot he had to pull out.  I think that experience scarred him sufficiently that he won't ever take it lightly again, but there's always the potential for a slip up.
5) things you like about it?  Hormonal BC messes me up, I've tried all kinds and none of them seem ok for me.  I like that NFP forces me to be more in tune with my body than I would ever be otherwise, and despite DH's oops moment I like that NFP means we are BOTH responsible for our fertility.  It brought us even closer as a couple and I wasn't expecting that.

sjohns908

1. I've done nuvaring and the pill but only for short periods of time. I'm very against hormonal BC for myself now because of the risks, how they make me feel and I have migraines. So we have been just condoms since before TTC DD2

2. I haven't been on anything for 4.5 years

3. DH will be getting the V but we'll still use condoms just because I'm weird about the mess the next day 

4. Nuvaring made me a horrible cranky bitch, the pill was ok, but I prefer no hormones. Condoms suck when you're in the moment, but sex isn't usually some spontaneous thing anymore with 3 kids lol so it's not a big deal

5. I like the lack of mess the next day when using condoms lol. That was the worst part for me when TTC haha

PizzaMonster3

1) what is your BC method of choice?
low dose pill - lo loestrin
2) how long have you been on it (before TTC obviously)?
from around 22 to last year consistently. Last year I started experimenting with NFP as part of our wedding prep and the desire to get off hormones. 
3) plans to go back on it after baby or something else?
i don't want to be on the pill but I hate the pain of my periods. IUDs freak me out but a lot of my friends have had good experiences. The shot failed a cousin of mine. BASICALLY I have no idea. And NFP was quite a bit of effort and we both hate condoms. It would be only pull out for us. Plus periods. Ugh. 
4) negative side effects?
i had never had a migraine before I got on the pill, though I was prone to headaches. So migraines, weight gain, slightly decreased libido. And I constantly worried about what the hormones were doing to me long term. And I was sorta bad about taking them at the same time everyday and had to double up when I forgot (fairly frequently). I'm surprised I didn't get KU sooner. Admittedly, failed NFP and not enough hormone back up did finally fail me lol. I didn't like that it cost me $40 a month either. That also encouraged me to try NFP ha
5) things you like about it?

NO PERIOD EVAR. It was awesome. 

dogperson11

Someone upthread asked about the arm implant. I had Nexplanon in my left arm for 20 months. Had it placed when DD was 8 weeks old. The first 13 months I had no period and no side effects, which was fantastic. I LOVED it and recommended it to everyone. Then starting around 13-14 months after it was placed I started getting a period every 2-3 weeks, but it was light. I got tired of the frequent periods so had it removed (we had planned to TTC soon anyway). I've always felt like a lunatic on pills (have tried several kinds) so won't be going back to them.

soprano19

1) what is your BC method of choice?
I was on the pill (Ocella)

2) how long have you been on it (before TTC obviously)?
I started taking it in February 2011, several months before we got married.

3) plans to go back on it after baby or something else?
As of now I'm planning to go back on it.

4) negative side effects?
Honestly, I really didn't have any noticeable negative side effects.

5) things you like about it? 
I didn't really have a hard time incorporating it into my morning routine, which made it easy. And it totally cleared up my skin, which I loved.

NervousNelly825

1) what is your BC method of choice? I was using ortho tri-cyclin
2) how long have you been on it (before TTC obviously)? Almost 4 years
3) plans to go back on it after baby or something else? I really don't want to do pills or anything hormonal again. So I'm thinking we will switch to NFP (Billings Method) and condoms. Probably mainly condoms until my cycle normalizes.
4) negative symptoms? I didn't realize how much the pill affected me until I got off it. The number one thing is it completely killed and buried my sex drive so we didn't really dtd much when I was on it anyway.
5) things you like about it? Well it worked. I didn't get pregnant on it. But I do think I ovulated a few times. I'm ready to try something else but I'm nervous because we got pregnant pretty quickly when we started trying and I do want my children spaced.

ForwardnBackward

1) what is your BC method of choice?
Prior to TTC I was on birth control pills for 10 years, I'm convinced (although data wouldn't suggest this) that it contributed to my trouble TTC.  After DS1, we used condoms because I didn't want to go back on pills and didn't really think about an IUD at that point.

2) how long have you been on it (before TTC obviously)?
10 years of birth control pills and 1.5 years of condoms

3) plans to go back on it after baby or something else?
I think I'll do IUD this time, like @migdala condoms put a bummer on our sex life which had a hard enough time recovering from the TTC burnout as it was.  I would just pull and pray and NFP - but DH is more nervous about that.

4) negative side effects?
I'm a little uneasy about IUD

5) things you like about it? 
But I think IUD will be best for us - no BCPs, condoms.

tyannej

1) what is your BC method of choice?
Birth control pills, Levocin I believe is the name of them. 

2) how long have you been on it (before TTC obviously)?
Ive been on different kinds of pills for about 7 years, I started them at 14 because of my god awful periods.

3) plans to go back on it after baby or something else?
I'm actually planning on getting back on the pills I was on before.

4) negative side effects?
Coming off birth control makes you a hormonal mess, I was actually more moody coming off the pills than I have been with this pregnancy.

5) things you like about it? 
Everything, I don't like condoms. And it's pretty full proof unless we want to TTC, for exapmple I quit my birth control and literally got pregnant in 2 weeks. 

ksf13

1) what is your BC method of choice? I loved my Mirena! 
2) how long have you been on it (before TTC obviously)? A little over 3 years. Got it out December 28th and got my BFP 3 weeks later. 
3) plans to go back on it after baby or something else? DH says he is getting a vasectomy after this one, but I imagine I'll go on and get it again anyway, because I don't know how quick he will get that done lol. 
4) negative side effects? I personally had no negative side effects, other than getting it put it isn't exactly fun.
5) things you like about it? I loved not having a period for 3 years, plus not having to remember a pill every day. 

natleilynn

1) what is your BC method of choice?  NuvaRing
2) how long have you been on it (before TTC obviously)? I went on it....about 11 years ago or so
3) plans to go back on it after baby or something else? In my dream world, I'd convince DH to get snipped. I don't foresee that happening, so back to da ring it is.
4) negative side effects?  Nothing for me, which was a big reason for taking it. I never had any sort of side effects.
5) things you like about it? I don't have to think about it except once a month. I'm horrible at trying to take daily pills.

jessafishy

1) what is your BC method of choice? FAM/NFP/Condoms (I chart my BBT)

2) how long have you been on it (before TTC obviously)? Never got back on anything hormonal after DS was born in 2014, so 2.5 years before we started TTC again.

3) plans to go back on it after baby or something else? Yep. Unless DH will get the snip. He wants me to get my tubes tied but since he is the one anti-#3 I told him he would be the one getting fixed.

4) negative side effects? After DS was born my cramps have been AWFUL and my periods have been heavy. Hormonal BC really killed my sex drive, though (and I didn't notice it until I got off), and the only other option is really the copper IUD which can increase the cramps and heaviness of periods so... IDK. 

5) things you like about it? Low cost. I know my body and therefore know when to worry and when not. It was clearly effective for us and took us 5 months of great timing of sex to even get KU for both of my pregnancies so I'm not really worried about an oops.

OliveOyl2014

1) what is your BC method of choice?

We never used a formal method, just pull out. 

2) how long have you been on it (before TTC obviously)?

Always. I've never used any other form of BC. 

3) plans to go back on it after baby or something else?

I will be having my tubes tied. 

4) negative side effects?

It's not 100% safe and sometimes you do slip up. 

5) things you like about it? 

It wasn't something I had to remember to take every day. I'm horrible about that, just like with prenatals. 

jasmuin

 I've been on pills, condoms, and the iud mirena.
 I did fine on the pills before the birth of my 1st baby but after I had her the pills made me bleed constantly. My Dr changed my pills a few times but they all gave me bleeding issues so we just switched to condoms. I got pg with my first two without even trying, although they were planned. 
After we had our 2nd babe I got the mirena. I loved it and had it for 4ish years. I didn't have side effects and loved not having periods or having to remember to take the pill. Then I got it removed and experienced a ton of side effects coming off of the iud. If you look up the mirena crash I had every symptom listed and because of that I will never do hormonal birth control again. It took us 5-6 months ttc to get pregnant after the mirena and then it ended up as a mc. Although studies won't confirm this I think it was due to my issues coming off the iud.
We finally had baby 3 and used condoms after... We ended up with this surprise baby but that wasn't because of the condoms (I missed a few periods and assumed I was pg so we didn't use condoms. I wasn't pg like I assumed so we ended up with this surprise baby). 
We will talk to my Dr about non hormonal bc and if I don't like any options we will just use condoms again. My hubby will get a vasectomy but he wants to be 10000000% sure we are done first so probably in a couple years. 

shan24

We were using condoms previous to this pregnancy. I was on the pill when I was younger, but I'm terrible at forgetting to take them. After DS was born I tried the patch, but that thing sucks big time, so we went back to condoms. After this baby?  Vasectomy all the way!  This oven is closed!

ezavasky

1) what is your BC method of choice? I was on hormonal birth control for many years (when I was a teenager b/c of very irregular periods and terrible cramps, then for most of my relationship/marriage with hubby). I was tired of it and went off about three years ago, and we used condoms/NFP.
2) how long have you been on it (before TTC obviously)? See above
3) plans to go back on it after baby or something else? I do not want to go back on birth control again. We are pretty sure we are one and done so hubby has been talking about vasectomy once baby is born.
4) negative side effects? No major side effects, just tired of taking hormones!
5) things you like about it? It worked for me for many years, for many different things (not just preventing pregnancy)