Birth control. Whats your method?

JRS72206

I'm considering the IUD, Mini pill, or charting. We want to wait approx 2 years to TTC again. What do you use and how do you like it? I've heard great things about all three options. Advice?

TIA. 

pixelvixen

I was on the mini pill.  Apparently, it helps with milk supply when BFing which is why I went with it (I had low supply).  The downfall is that you have to take it at exactly the same time every day or it isn't effective.  My OB said no more than a 2hr difference or you need to use backup.  Needless to say, it freaked me out! I didn't get PG on the mini, but I did about 3mo after I went off it.

tfarabians

I did the mini-pill and condoms while I was bfing and yes you do have to take it exactly at the same time everyday....can't tell you how many friends I have that have little ooppps running around because of that! hee hee Now that I'm not bfing I'm just on the pill I got pg the 3rd month off the pill the first time so I'm not real worried about it again.

MissLauraQ

I had Paraguard IUD for 5.5 years between kids - it took two weeks to get pregnant after I had it removed. (one shot, DONE!)

I loved it - except I did get alot of UTI and YI, so as an experiment we did not have it reinserted.  And we use condoms religiously now.  Luckily Rod likes condoms

I absolutely hated and hormonal birth control, I would get depressed, gain weight (like 20 pounds) and have zero sex drive.  I have tried about 7 different kinds of pills.  I refuse to take them (which is kind of how I got pregnant with Alex)

Nancy_Drew

I chart.  Actually I didn't start charting until about 4 days before ovulation this last cycle.   I read Taking Charge of Your Fertility when TTC'ing, and the information is so clear.  After reading that, I felt confident I'd know when I was fertile etc... so decided to not use any BC.

SInce I nursed for 1 year, AF didn't show up until 8 months pp then not again til 10 months.  Since then has been like clockwork. 

We didn't care if we got PG though, so I guess it depends on how comfortable you are with charting, looking for your body's signs etc.....

FutureMrsLynch

We used condoms (or if we had been drinking or were feeling irresponsible we would use the "pull and pray" method)  I am horrible about taking pills and hated being on bc.  This worked for us for 5 years without a single "oops".

AnnetteWalker

I got the Marina IUD placed in Aug. We don't want to TTC #2 for a few years and my OB recommonded it. I like it so far no problems. I did have bleeding for a month or so really light but now it is great. And it is good for 5 years.

preston18

I got Mirena this month. So far, I?ve had none of the bad BCP side effects, but I have been bleeding all month. I charted to avoid for 18 months before TTC and I got pregnant within 5 weeks. I loved charting?no hormones, no foreign objects?but we were open to a baby at any time. Now we?re not so an IUD it is.

scarletii

We used condoms after DD.  If you are BFing, you can't go more than 5 hours without nursing, or you risk having AF return.  Remember that you O before you get AF.  This time, I am considering the Mirena IUD since we aren't planning any more kids, but if we do we can have it removed and get pregnant right away.  I also like that it has low hormones, and you aren't supposed to gain weight with it...And it's safe for BFing.  (I heard that the mini-pill can cause a dip in your supply...)

LuvBug12683

I have the Mirena and LOVE IT! I never even felt it go in. No cramps, nothing! I've spotted off and on but they say thats to be expected the first few months. Its supposed to be more effective than getting your tubes tied and less hormones than the mini pill. 2 of my good friends have gotten pregnant 2 months after their iud was taken out and its good for 5 years and I never have to think about it. No change in my milk supply and Im not an emotional rollercoaster hehe. I seriously love it!

Goldenbrady

I also have the Mirena and so far so good (it has been almost a month). No side effects so far.
 

karaU

Ditto Luvbug!

applecider

I guess I've done all three.

I used the mini-pill way back in the day for 3 months before my doc would agree to give me Depo.  You do have to take it religiously.  Both my roommate and my boyfriend (DH) helped me remember to take it each night.  The one time I forgot, I used condoms for the next 7 days.  Other than that, the side effects weren't too bad.

I used a Paraguard copper IUD for 2 years.  Probably my favorite method as it has zero hormones.  (It kills sperm, blocks implantation and there's a small chance that if you did get pregnant, it would cause a miscarriage so it doesn't work with everyone's beliefs).  I'll probably use an IUD again after I have the baby.

We charted in order to GET pregnant...  I just wouldn't like this method because my fertile time is when I'm most interested in sex.  And I really don't like condoms.

babyaustin725

We use nothing.  My cycles are pretty regular, and James is really into knowing all about where I am.  I wish he'd just let it go and knock me up, but as I have shared previously, he's "emphatically opposed."  

I am hoping that one of these months my body will do something early or late and give us another little surprise.  I leave it in God's hands, and since I pray for a baby and I don't think James prays to not have one, I am hoping I will get my desires instead of him. 

I'm sorry I'm no help.  I just began ranting. 

farvesgirl4

We charted for 9 months before dh and I lost self control after he was gone for work for 2 weeks and had sex even though I was O and oops our best surprise in the world came 40 weeks later...  however it was also a crap load of work for the first 3 months then I just checked sparatically because my cycle was so regular.

 Now I use the Mirena and love it! & if dh changes his mind and wants #2 before he's done with school I will just have it removed and we will start trying then. I love the mirena, I don't have my period anymore, just light spotting every few months for 1-3 days & I don't ever have think about it!