Many ?s - BCP, new OB-GYN and PPD

Mrs_D_in_KY

I don't want to be a PW, so I thought I would post all of my questions at once. I go Friday to see my current OB-GYN to get most of my questions sorted out.

Birth control - What type of birth control do you currently use? Do you love it, hate it? DH & I currently use condoms, but it takes any spontaneity out of the situation. I'm afraid if I go back to the Pill, I will forget one or more then wind up with a surprise pregnancy. I'm just looking for thoughts or suggestions.

 New OB-GYN - I am looking for a new doctor that will deliver at either Good Samaritan or University for our future children. It makes me sick to think of all of the crappy nurses I had while I stayed there. My "labor" nurse who "helped" me push (did nothing) for nearly 3 hours, and I wound up with having to have my son vaccummed out along with an episiotomy. Also the lack of help from the LCs and my day nurse didn't know which way was up most of the time. I've heard good things about University and Good Sam, so any good recommendations for doctors that deliver there would be great. 

 PPD - I feel like a shitty mom and wife because of my crazy hormones that are like a proverbial rollercoaster.  Since weaning myself from the pump, I feel like I snap at DH all the time. I am constantly on edge, exhausted, I feel worthless, I feel like there are not enough hours in the day to get things done, etc. I have not been overly weepy or sad, but just like I'm in a hole that I can't get out of. I did not know if there were others who have felt the same way and how they have dealt with it.

 If you've made it this far, thanks. I may not post as much as I used to, but I still try to keep up with everyone.

 

KristenBtobe

I have a Paragard IUD. I really like it, but it's not a great option if you're looking to get pregnant fairly soon, as they recommend keeping them in at least 2 years. But it's non-hormonal and I like that.

I use the Tri Health Nurse Midwives (I love them!), and delivered Owen at Good Sam. It was a very good experience overall, there were things I liked better about having Maggie at St. E but I think the care we got at Good Sam was better.

I'm no help on #3, I'm sorry.

Miller238

I am charting for BC.  I couldn't stand the hormones anymore and we are planning on trying for another child soon, so I didn't want to get an IUD or something of the sort.

I delivered Kate at St.E's and had a great experience, so I am no help on other hospitals.  I am also no help on PPD.  There are so many awesome women on this board though who I know have been through it, so hopefully some of them chime in.

kristinleigh

I take Sprintec and so far so good.  Would you consider an IUD?  That might be an option if you don't want to take the pill.

No help on the doc, my group delivers at Mercy Anderson.

PPD - I can totally relate.  We had similar situations with BFing and EPing so I know how you feel.  My PPD definitely manifests itself with anger and feeling overwhelmed.  I have been on meds since 4 months PP and increased my dosage last week.  I'm also going to start talk therapy soon.  I had some blood tests before I got pregnant that said I had low iron and low B12 - so I take supplements in addition to a multivitamin and had recently gotten bad about taking those, but started recently again - I think it makes a huge difference for me with my energy level.  Have you had your thyroid tested?  Mine was normal, but it can also cause issues with tiredness/lack of energy.  

Mrs_D_in_KY

kristinleigh:

PPD - I can totally relate.  We had similar situations with BFing and EPing so I know how you feel.  My PPD definitely manifests itself with anger and feeling overwhelmed.  I have been on meds since 4 months PP and increased my dosage last week.  I'm also going to start talk therapy soon.  I had some blood tests before I got pregnant that said I had low iron and low B12 - so I take supplements in addition to a multivitamin and had recently gotten bad about taking those, but started recently again - I think it makes a huge difference for me with my energy level.  Have you had your thyroid tested?  Mine was normal, but it can also cause issues with tiredness/lack of energy.   

I had my thyroid tested in June of last year when I became extremely tired and run down out of nowhere. My iron, B12 and thyroid were all normal according to my PCP. I may have my OB test that at my appointment on Friday.  

kristinleigh

Worth a check.  Hopefully they'll have some other ideas for you. It sucks to feel this way   Getting out in the sunshine when I can helps a ton too.  Even just stepping outside for like 5 minutes to get some fresh air today was good for me. 

Love your new siggy - he is a cutie!

Mrs_D_in_KY

Thanks kristin!

I think part of my feeling down manifests from not being able to directly BF and having to EP for a year. I am hoping I leave my doctor with answers on Friday. 

KittahMama

1.  I DID use nuvaring and LOVED LOVED LOVED it!!! You do have increase discharge for the first few months, but your body does figure it out (and some women don't have this).  It's a much lower does of hormones than the pill and I am super forgetful about pills.  You insert it (it is sort of like the rim of the condom, flexible, but a bit bigger) and once inside your vagina it "pops" open so that it doesn't just slip back out.  Leave it in for a few weeks- throw away, have a period and repeat.  It isn't for everyone, but I definitely recommend it!

2. I moved up here this year, so this may or may not help.  I had a group in Louisville that was all female and I liked that- so I found For Women Inc.  There are 6-7 doctors I think?  Anyway thus far I have liked them- and I chose them because they deliver at Good Sam.  I had preterm labor issues with DD and I wanted to be at the hospital with my baby if GOD forbid I needed a good NICU- or just if something happened and I had preterm labor this time as well. 

3. I didn't have PPD but I commend you for pumping!  I EBF as long as I could but once pregnant I couldn't get enough calories in me to maintain my supply, the new pregnancy and me!  My best friend had PPD- and I have to say the warm weather and sun did wonders to help her- but she also did some talk therapy.  I think the combo helped her in a month or two.

 

Good luck!

KYmama9286

Birth Control-- we charted for b/c and used condoms to avoid during my fertile period. Apparently it worked a little too good for us because even when we WANTED to get pregnant we couldnt haha but seriously charting helps you learn so much about your body and your cycle and it can give you a heads up to any issues your body might be having for future pregnancies

New OB/GYN- I second the Tri-Health Nurse Midwives. The great part about midwifery care is that your midwife is present for much more than just the last part (pushing and catching the baby). My midwife was in the room with me helping during the last 2-3 hours of my labor and in and out during the rest of my labor making sure I was doing okay, checking if I needed anything, etc. Plus with midwifery care you are less likely to end in an unneccesary c-section, they generally have lower episiotomy rates and are more apt to consider any birth plan you might have. If you have specific questions for them there is generally a midwife available between like 11-2 (not 100% on the time frame) everyday who takes questions from prospective patients. They also have meet the midwives evenings at Good Sam where you can meet them face to face. 

PPD- my PPD hit me at its worst at like 8 months pp, I went to the midwives, talked with them some. They did some blood work to make sure there werent any other reasons for my issues and they wrote me a 1 months supply of an anti-depressant and said that they were only comfortable prescribing that much and that they HIGHLY recommended seeing a psychiatrist to get more meds since they werent comfortable monitoring me on it long term which as a mental health professional I completely agree with. They also strongly suggested talk therapy which I started immediately through my church. I ended up only being on the meds for about 1.5 months (I did meet with a pyschiatrist for refills but weaned myself off it after 1.5 months). The talk therapy did more than anything for me, having someone to talk and work out how I was feeling with that is unbiased and understanding. Trust me, I totally get the feelings about the pumping/not being able to nurse stuff. Its really hard but things can get better. ((Hugs))

kyfirewife

Birth Control - I'm on thePatch, and I love it. You change it weekly, then take your 4th week of four your period. It's what I was on prior to TTC before having DD. I was on Mirena after DD, was never really happy with it, and was one of the few who had it expel itself (story here if you're interested)

PPD - I can definitely related. I was treated for PPD for over 18 months post-partum. About 4 weeks PP my mom insisted I see my Ob, and I did. He was quite sure mine was purely hormonal (as yours might be, since you think it started just since you weaned), and prescribed Lexapro, which worked wonders. I was never overly sad either, more anxious I guess, although I didn't even realize anything was going on until my mom told me I was really out of sorts.
Oh, and my point of mentioning the "purely hormonal" part was that my Ob said that if there are other, non-hormonal factors involved, then he'll also recommend counselling, but that counselling usually doesn't help for hormonal imbalances, and medication doesn't help if it's purely due to external factors.

GL with everything! And know that there are definitely those of us on here who can relate!