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babya422

@bride2b1213 so today at 31+2 days, I also woke up some spotting. You’re not alone! I’ve had spotting, likely caused by polyps, all pregnancy. I’m gonna keep a close watch on LOs movement and call only if the spotting gets worse. I hope you start feeling better, that cold/cough does not sound like fun. 

Bride2b1213

So had the slight spotting yesterday morning, called my dr office they seemed unconcerned said it could be from standing or physical activity with SO. No other or no further spotting yesterday. Today had no problem all morning. About an hour into work I go to the restroom and have thick brownish almost mucus looking leakage. Again it's just the one time no others this morning/afternoon. I can feel bump doing somersaults and just moving all around so I'm not too concerned but I am a worrier. 31+4. I have a regular appt on Thursday so I'm trying to hold off going to the dr or hospital for nothing. 

hummingbird35

@bride2b1213 I assume physical activity with SO means sex I think that’s pretty common to experience a little bit of spotting after. I wouldn’t worry if it were me but I’d def mention to your doc at your next appointment. Or call and ask to speak to a nurse if that will make you feel better, no harm in that.

blueberry0326

What is everyone planning on using for birth control after pregnancy? I used the pill prior to pregnancy but thinking it may be hard to remember to take. Im thinking an IUD would be easier, but we want our kids relatively close together (start trying again maybe 1.5 yrs after first baby) so is it silly to get an IUD for such a short amount of time? 

mayoduck

@blueberry0326 I was thinking the same thing.. I'm not sure I want an IUD if I'm going to need to have it taken out for baby #2 well before it loses effectiveness. DH and I just used condoms prior to trying for baby #1 and that worked for us for the 10-ish years we were actively trying not to get pregnant. We're planning on just going back to that between babies and then I'll look more seriously at IUDs after baby 2.

litzi-2

@blueberry0326 For my first I EBF and couldn't get my period back, had to wean to 2-3 times per day, after about 14 months. I'll probably BF and do natural family planning again because we'd like to space them apart about the same for #3. I though about birth control but didn't want to deal with it. And it did seem too short a duration for IUD.

meggyme

@blueberry0326 I had th nexplanon implant in my arm for 2 years before getting it out. It’s good for up to 3. Getting it in and out was pretty easy, both done with localized anesthetic. It’s kind of weird to be able to touch and feel it, but it gave me comfort that it was in the right place, which was a concern of mine with an IUD. I had no issue getting my period back after getting it out and was pregnant within 4 months. I’ll likely get another one to last until we decide to have another or DH gets the snip.

lovesclimbing

We'll be using the diaphragm with spermicide again, same as we've used since we got married. I won't use hormonal birth control. 

catlady2015

My OB discussed birth control at our last appt. she doesn’t recommend the iud if you’re not going to have about 2 years between kids. We’ll likely use natural family planning to start. I’ll get the iud at 6 weeks if we’re fairly sure we’re done at that point. We’re both older so we would need to have them close together if we want 2, which might make it a poorer choice if we’re not for sure one and done. 

3rdtime_charmed

Your copays may play a part here... an IUD can be pretty expensive for just a year, however, it’s clearly the most reversible (the hormones wear off faster l) and your cycle goes back to normal, of the forms that are most effective.
the implant has a lot of hormone, and weight gain can be a problem just as with the shot.
ive had them all... and worked in birth control clinics for years, so I’m happy to answer any and all questions on this, feel free to DM.
I signed my tubal consent already.
Dont forget that timing and your plans for breastfeeding matter. Some of these
forms are better for breastfeeding than others. On the other hand, I’ve had women with poor access to healthcare and /or no insurance and we put in an IUD while they were still in the hospital!! Because it was that important to them...

dtspmama

I had an IUD (Mirena) put in after DD1, and had it removed 10 months later so we could start trying for baby 2.  Even though the duration was short, I loved not having to worry about bc for those 10 months (and my IUD was free because my insurance at the time covered it 100%).  After DD2, I planned to have another IUD put in but the scar tissue from my c-sections was too thick and it wouldn't work.  I went on the pill and HATED it (it makes me crazy) but stuck with it for 10 months, then went off it until I got pregnant with this DD.  

Like @3rdtime_charmed, I've signed a consent for a tubal already this time around.

BuckeyeNut05

Pull & pray here. It worked for 6 years? 

maggiemadeit

I’m glad this discussion got started. After my daughter was born my midwife talked me into mirena and it was not a good choice for me. I bled for 8 straight weeks and almost lost my milk supply before I finally removed it.

We ended up using fertility awareness method (FAM), using spermicide and withdrawal during fertile times, and it worked perfectly for us. I have a very predictable cycle and had been temping/charting for a year to get pregnant, so I was very familiar with the routine and my body. I was even able to catch my first ovulation at 10 months pp based on my charts and fertility signs. 

This time around I want something more permanent, because I think I am done having children. I just don’t want to make the decision while I am 8 months pregnant, in case I feel differently after baby boy is born. 

meggyme

Has anyone used the copper IUD? It's not supposed to have any hormones, but I'm unsure of how else it differs from the Mirena as far as insertion and effectiveness.

lelkcot

We used condoms for the first year and a half after DS because I was nursing and wanted my cycle to regulate before I got back on the pill. Was on the pill for a little under a year and a half, same lower dose that I’d been on prior to DS. Coming off the pill was very different this time around vs 4 years prior. Will definitely NOT be going back on any hormonal birth control this time. We’ll be using condoms until DH gets the snip!

zionsmama85

I had an IUD before with my son for about 3 years. The first time i had it in it was not bad, but i took it out after 3 years and then switched to the Nuvaring. I tried to go back to the Mirena but the 2nd time i had it was terrible, i bled constantly and i could feel it.... I'm already scheduled for the tubal also, getting it done concurrently with the c-section. 

3rdtime_charmed

@meggyme the copper IUD is very similar to mirena (it may be a tiny bit bigger) and it lasts longer like 7-10 years. The insertion is slightly different but shouldn’t be a problem with an experienced provider (mirena comes with a cool trademarked insertion system, copper requires old school instruments). The bleeding can be really bad though. With mirena people have spotting, irregular annoying bleeding, but with Cooper IUD some people have very heavy periods. The mirena is flexible and so theoretically might be more comfortable after the initial 3 month “break in period” but for most people that isn’t an issue, the strings are actually what bother people.
It is the only Long acting reversible contraception (LARC) available without hormones. And all the LARC options are considered more effective because they don’t interact with other drugs, don’t depend on people remembering, etc!

gowenc

@BuckeyeNut05 just be careful, that's what we were doing and that's why I'm knocked up right now. We used pulling out combined with cycle tracking for four years with no issue, but my cycles never fully regulated after I had DS (who is 2 and was about 17 months when I got pregnant). Sex hasn't been a frequent thing since I had my first so it was easy to pinpoint when I got pregnant, and it was a few days outside the fertile window according to my app. 

meggyme

@3rdtime_charmed thanks! That's very helpful. I doubt I'd go that route because either we'd be having another baby in the next 2-3 years again or we'd be done (I'm currently 32) but I always wondered about the difference and wanted to point out that there was a non-hormonal implant available.

zionsmama85

This was touched on briefly in the baby products spotlight..but i got a crap ton of johnson and johnson stuff at my shower this weekend. a little annoyed because i purposefully put only Dove Baby things on my registry. I have heard about the cancer causing ingredients with J&J and even if it comes up not true, wouldn't want to take a chance...plus my SO has EXTREMELY sensitive skin so i'm betting LO will most likely as well. Do you guys have any opinions on Johnson and Johnson things? I'm thinking i may take the stuff back and see if i can exchange it. I don't know if they got gift receipts for it though. What are your thoughts? 

meggyme

@zionsmama85 if it's not the brand that you want to use then you should see if you can exchange it. I've gone to target many times with something that they sell but may not have actually been bought there and exchanged it for store credit. We use J&J baby wash with DD1 with no problems, but she doesn't have particularly sensitive skin. I have a bottle of cerave baby wash I got as a gift during her shower 2.5 years ago that I'll likely end up using with this LO.

mihaelams1

@zionsmama85 We used J&J hair & body wash with DS1 until it ran out (now we're using Honest, but just because I found a good deal on it). Thankfully DS1 doesn't have sensitive skin. We still have 2/3 of the baby lotion bottle left.

zionsmama85

@meggyme i used J&J shampoo and soaps when my son was a baby and he was fine, but that was 10 years ago (i feel old saying that LOL) and i have become a bit more "Crunchy" as i get older and much more involved in what i put on myself and child(ren)...I was thinking either the Dove or there's also the Shea Moisture line which is really good and natural focused. I'm probably gonna be all up and down the aisle once she comes out....thanks, i will check with them on the exhange policy for sure!

scimomma

@zionsmama85 my mother has extremely sensitive skin and ended up finding out she has an allergy to an extremely common surfactant added to most soaps and detergents to help the products suds up. My mom now uses unscented Dr. Bronner's liquid soap, which is one of the crunchiest soaps you can get that is sold in normal stores, and she hasn't had any skin reactions since. I have no input on using it for a baby, but I also use it and will likely use it for my kid. It's a little pricey but it lasts a LONG time and I've bought it from Target before. The advertising is a little weird (once you read the bottle label you'll know what I'm talking about!), but it's free from ingredients that cause skin issues so it might be worth looking into if you're interested in getting a little crunchier! 

Kenneylynn3

@zionsmama85 if target won't take it, Walmart will without a receipt also for store credit.

meggyme

@bug_hunter it doesn't suds up like regular soap, right? I've used it before when visiting family and I like the multi-purpose aspect of it. They also have a "baby" version of it, but idk if it's tear free which is a concern of mine.

scimomma

@meggyme The suds factor is definitely less than with "normal" soaps but it's actually not bad. I feel like it lathers up pretty well but then the bubbles just fade quicker than other soaps. My husband and I both use the same bottle in the shower and it lasts months which is nice and frees up shower clutter in our tiny bathroom. I also use it for washing the dog or if I need to hand wash something so I do appreciate the multi-purpose aspect. 

I just looked up the baby version and you're right, it is NOT tear-free. They recommend using the "unscented baby-MILD" soap for babies, though I also don't think that is actually tear-free either. I'm sure I'll learn that's pretty important once I'm actually bathing a kid! 

zionsmama85

@bug_hunter I like Dr Bronner's. I have used it for multi purpose things (laundry, mopping, dishwater) occasionally, and you make a good point. i didn't even think about that. it doesn't suds up a lot but sometimes that is good because that means it doesn't have the extra chemicals in it. Will definitely keep that in mind. It's high but yes it lasts a really long time! 

ashley14598

Our son has super sensitive skin from a newborn rash, to cradle cap, eczema, diaper rashes, and yeast infections I have been in tears over his poor skin numerous times. We use Aveeno and that’s it on his skin. I’m so scared to put anything on his skin! They have a line for sensitive skin/eczema and that’s what we are planning to use for this next LO too. However we still have J&J left from the baby showers the first time around so good for you for returning it to get what you really want! 

lucysmom2016

@zionsmama85 I registered for an obnoxious amount of different soap/lotion sets for baby because I'm nervous they're going to have sensitive skin, all in small sizes so we can trial and error what works for baby. But my best friend's son had sensitive skin issues and she told me that J&J was the brand that ended up working best for them.

navete

@meggyme I had the copper IUD before getting pregnant. I chose it specifically because I wanted non-hormonal BC (I am prone to some pretty bad mood swings 😬), even though everything I read seemed to indicate that it caused heavier periods. Insertion was way more painful than I anticipated, but it may be bc the NP that did it was inexperienced? She made several attempts and tried different sizes of this torture looking metal device. Now that I’m pregnant and have been reading about birth/labor, I suspect whatever she did caused my uterus to contract because I had waves of what felt like the most severe cramps I’d ever had for hours after the procedure. And it did change my periods; in the beginning my periods lasted 7-8 days (avg was 5 days prior) with much heavier flow and cramping. It got better through the years though, to the point where it didn’t bother me at all. Interestingly, when I took it out, my period immediately reduced to 2-3 days with very light bleeding (which was awesome but also made me worry about my fertility). Anyway, despite all the pain, I don’t regret using it because I can deal with physical discomfort much better than mental/emotional distress lol. 

I’ve no idea what to use after this LO is born though. MH refuses to use condoms 🙄, and my hormones are too fragile for hormonal BC. I don’t think the IUD is worth it for just 1-2 years (if we plan on having another kid). Maybe we’ll try out the good ol abstinence method 😆

3rdtime_charmed

@navete and @meggyme insertion of any IUD causes mild contractions. However, you can request a benzo for pain management. And take ibuprofen in advance. Benzos when studied have been shown to be so effective, they should be standard of care. I also usually do a cervical block (local numbing medicine) not everyone knows how to do them but they are really helpful.

dtspmama

Re: IUD insertion:  I had a mirena before I had DD1 and the insertion was AWFUL.  Lots of cramping for days afterwards and the procedure, itself, made me nauseous from the pain.  I had a mirena put back in after I had DD1 and couldn't feel a damn thing; it was the easiest procedure I've ever been through.  The doctor told me that having an IUD before and after kids are like completely different experiences, and she was right!

navete

@dtspmama After I had my IUD inserted I read all these comments about how it’s recommended (as far as pain goes) for women who’ve given birth vaginally, ie their cervix has dialated before. Oops 😅