Parenting

If you have or have had paragard please come in..

After much consideration I am now leaning towards this IUD.  Even though it is probably safe I'm a bit worried about taking hormonal BC being over 35. 

Since insurance doesn't cover birth control devices I called and got pricing from my OBGYN.  Mirena (if I pay at the time of service and don't do a payment plan) would work out to abut $675 for  the device and installation.  The Paragard wold be about $700 for all that and stays in 10 years instead of 5 so overall it winds up cheaper.  And the nurse said that if I have heavy periods they may be able to get it covered for me that way instead of for birtch control. 

Does anyone have any experience with it? 

Re: If you have or have had paragard please come in..

  • I've had paraguard since September and am very happy with it.  Insertion wasn't awful.  A bit crampy and I spotted for a day or two and that was it.  I was warned that once my period returned (I EBF) it might be heavier, but so far it's been about the same as it was before getting pregnant (I've only had it twice though, so it could change).  I love the freedom of never having to think about birth control at all and not being concerned about the "human error" risks (ie forgetting my pill, condom breaking).  I also don't tolerate hormonal bc at all, so I had few options with very high success rates and DH and I hate condoms so it was an easy decision for me!
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  • I had it between baby #1 and baby #2.  Insertion was easy, just a little cramping.  I went back to work after.  My first 2 periods were much heavier, but then went back to normal.  I really liked it and would definitely get it again.  I ended up only having it in for about 8 months because we decided we were ready for baby #2 earlier than we planned.  My insurance doesn't cover it now and we aren't sure about a 3rd child, so I didn't get another one.  And, in case you're interested, I got pregnant my first cycle after it was removed.  Oh, and I didn't even feel it when it was pulled out.
    Lucy 12.18.06, Will 6.21.09 & Adeline 11.2.11
  • imagepenguingrrl:
    I've had paraguard since September and am very happy with it.  Insertion wasn't awful.  A bit crampy and I spotted for a day or two and that was it.  I was warned that once my period returned (I EBF) it might be heavier, but so far it's been about the same as it was before getting pregnant (I've only had it twice though, so it could change).  I love the freedom of never having to think about birth control at all and not being concerned about the "human error" risks (ie forgetting my pill, condom breaking).  I also don't tolerate hormonal bc at all, so I had few options with very high success rates and DH and I hate condoms so it was an easy decision for me!

    Thanks!  DH was getting a vasectomy but with his heart history can't come off blood thinners.  I feel the same about possibe user errors.  As much as I wouldn't wish for it anyway DS is here because of user error with condoms (meaning we didn't use them twice... and welcome baby!).  I don't want to risk a fourth though.

  • I EBF now... would I still get a period from it?
  • I had the paragard for about 10 months after DS before TTC.  I had a great experience with it and plan to have another re-inserted after having DC#2.  It's important to me to be completely hormone-free.

    Holy smokes, though- can't believe how expensive it is for you- I was lucky enough to have mine covered 100% (but my insurance has changed a lot since then, so I'll check when I have it put in again).  Some things to mention-

    - I did spot for like 3 weeks after getting it in.  To the point where I had to use a light tampon.  It wasn't a big deal, but I didn't know to expect that much spotting.

    - When I had mine removed, it was apparently partially expelled.  I was *not* checking mine and will be sure to do that next time around (esp. since I know we don't want a 3rd).

    - Having it put in was NO big deal- esp. after pushing out a kid!

    I'm surprised they would suggest it if you already have heavy periods though as the paragard is known to make your periods *heavier*.  Mine were absolutely heavier, but shorter.  It wasn't enough to bother me- I just had to wear both a heavy tampon and pantyliner to bed and be more diligent about tampons.

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