Birth control after baby

ellephunt · September 2012

Has anyone already thought about BC after baby? It's something weighing on my mind. I have PCOS and endo so the likelihood of me having an oopsy is slim. I'm thinking about making things easier for next time around. I need to be on something to help keep the endo away but want to breast feed.

Damn mobile site ... Anyways, it's something I'm worried about and I would like to avoid another lap for TTC 2.

eddy92482 · September 2012

I have talked about this with my husband as well. I am thinking that I am going to go back on BC as soon as possible after the baby comes. I am sure my husband and I only want one healthy child, but me going back on BC is the easiest because it will regulate my period.

JumpAroundBucky · September 2012

I'll be getting an IUD. I haven't decided if I want to go with nonhormonal or hormonal yet; I have to discuss it with my doctor and do some more research.

If we have another child, it (hopefully) won't be for another 4-5 years.

NewMoM2Be10 · September 2012

will yo be BFing? or not? that is also taken into consideration. After my second i had an iud placed but i had alot of complications.. excessive bleeding so i removed it so thats when my 3rd came along .. Talking to your OB would be the best route for you

Best of Luck!!

JuliaBug · September 2012

I used the minipill after I had 1 and had no problems BFing. I am done for a while, if not forever, after this one so I will probably get an IUD.

eatdrinkstretch · September 2012

I also have endo and my endo doctor laid out a *very* specific plan for me before I got pregnant - she basically wanted me to get pregnant, BF for as long as possible to 12 months, and then get pregnant again as soon as possible. Rinse and repeat until we are done having kids (we want 2 or 3). She said that EBFing would keep the endo at bay, and that she did not want me to be on any kind of BCP between pregnancies because my cycle is really regular and she did not want me to insert any unknown factors into the situation that might make it harder for me to get pregnant the second time. Basically, she did not want me to risk a situation where I was not pregnant, not EBFing, and not TTC. We want our kids close together anyway, so I am okay with this plan... but it is a bit daunting.

Once we are done having kids we will have to discuss BC options. I would rather get a hormonal IUD than go back on BCP, but she was not sure that the IUD would have strong enough hormones to keep my (very aggressive) endo at bay. We will see what options are available by the time we are ready to have that discussion.

Aegis2005 · September 2012

I will not be going on birth control. We've been told that to have a child, without IVF, would be classified as a medical miracle. If we ever fell into the range of "medical miracle" we would gladly embrace it, as I'm not looking forward to going through the process again to have baby #2.

penguingrrl · September 2012

I can't use hormonal options due to getting high blood pressure while on it (I'm normally borderline low) and having pre-e at 37+ weeks with both pregnancies.. In between my first two we used the Today Sponge. After #2 I got a non-hormonal IUD. Since we're 100% sure this baby will be our last DH will get a vasectomy after I've recovered from delivering (call me paranoid, but we don't want him to have one until the baby arrives and is healthy).

kelly321 · September 2012

I'm trying to decide about this as well. I can't use anything with estrogen because I had a DVT, so as far as hormonal goes, that only leaves the mini-pill. I tried that after DD and bled through a super tampon, a pad, and my underwear in 1.5 hours. I don't know how much of that was just being the first PP period or how much was the mini pill, but when I was still bleeding (not that heavily the whole time, thank goodness) after 2 weeks, I decided to ditch it and we used condoms until we were ready to TTC#2.

Non-hormonal IUD would be an option, but honestly, the complications I've heard about freak me out. We'll probably just use condoms again until we decide whether to have a third (we'd like to in theory, but we have to see how this pregnancy goes and how we feel after we've had 2).

tabby0521 · September 2012

I was on the mini pill after DD and DS. I liked it. It didn't affect my supply or make me fat or crazy. Some people spot a lot afterward, but I never had a single issue with it.

kleigh926 · September 2012

I'm not sure what we'll be doing. It took Clomid to get us pregnant this time because I either don't ovulate or ovulate extremely late in my cycle (I have PCOS). I also would like to avoid hormonal birth control, because I literally had NO sex drive while on it. There's a part of me that just says screw BC, since we have a much lower chance of getting pregnant than couples with no IF issues. But then I'd worry about getting pregnant again 3 months postpartum (which I definitely DON'T want). Maybe I'll try the minipill and just see how it goes.

ellephunt · September 2012

eatdrinkstretch:
I also have endo and my endo doctor laid out a *very* specific plan for me before I got pregnant - she basically wanted me to get pregnant, BF for as long as possible to 12 months, and then get pregnant again as soon as possible. Rinse and repeat until we are done having kids (we want 2 or 3). She said that EBFing would keep the endo at bay, and that she did not want me to be on any kind of BCP between pregnancies because my cycle is really regular and she did not want me to insert any unknown factors into the situation that might make it harder for me to get pregnant the second time. Basically, she did not want me to risk a situation where I was not pregnant, not EBFing, and not TTC. We want our kids close together anyway, so I am okay with this plan... but it is a bit daunting.

Once we are done having kids we will have to discuss BC options. I would rather get a hormonal IUD than go back on BCP, but she was not sure that the IUD would have strong enough hormones to keep my (very aggressive) endo at bay. We will see what options are available by the time we are ready to have that discussion.

This is good to know! I didn't realize EBFing would help. I do not like being on BCPs either but it's always been the first step before starting meds (Femara and Clomid). I don't ovulate at all on my own so we've always needed to get my hormones in check first. I'll have to contact my RE to see what he says but as long as BFing goes well and I can keep the endo away that way I'll be happy and won't need BCPs!

mjr12 · September 2012

Between #1 and #2, we just used a spermicidal gel when I was fertile. Worked fine for us. The *one* time we didn't, I got pregnant. Which was cool, we were talking about starting for #2 anyway.

After this baby, I don't know what I want to do. I will BF, (BF #1 for 15 months, got my period back at 4 months post pregnancy). I don't want to use hormonal BC again. I used it for 10 years, and my sex life was like a million times better without it. I had absolutely no desire when I used BC (depo, nuva ring, and a few other pills) I have been thinking about getting an IUD, but I'm going to do more research. My sister and one of my friends just got the Mirena (hormonal IUD) so I'll see what they think.

I have a very strange case of umbilical endo (not too painful, but I bleed from my belly button - which is super gross and embarrassing and unsightly). DR said that I should be on hormonal BC, but I REALLY, REALLY don't want to. I think that I'll likely get endo removed sometime after I finish breastfeeding and see what I want to do then.

I am totally up in the air about it.

mjr12 · September 2012

ellephunt:
eatdrinkstretch:
I also have endo and my endo doctor laid out a *very* specific plan for me before I got pregnant - she basically wanted me to get pregnant, BF for as long as possible to 12 months, and then get pregnant again as soon as possible. Rinse and repeat until we are done having kids (we want 2 or 3). She said that EBFing would keep the endo at bay, and that she did not want me to be on any kind of BCP between pregnancies because my cycle is really regular and she did not want me to insert any unknown factors into the situation that might make it harder for me to get pregnant the second time. Basically, she did not want me to risk a situation where I was not pregnant, not EBFing, and not TTC. We want our kids close together anyway, so I am okay with this plan... but it is a bit daunting.

Once we are done having kids we will have to discuss BC options. I would rather get a hormonal IUD than go back on BCP, but she was not sure that the IUD would have strong enough hormones to keep my (very aggressive) endo at bay. We will see what options are available by the time we are ready to have that discussion.
This is good to know! I didn't realize EBFing would help. I do not like being on BCPs either but it's always been the first step before starting meds (Femara and Clomid). I don't ovulate at all on my own so we've always needed to get my hormones in check first. I'll have to contact my RE to see what he says but as long as BFing goes well and I can keep the endo away that way I'll be happy and won't need BCPs!

EBF did not really help my endo . . . I mean, not having a period will help your endo, but that only lasted for about 4 months for me. I breastfed for 15 months. Not all women experience lactational amenorrhea throughout their entire breastfeeding relationship (hence another pregnancy, while breastfeeding).

chimneygrl · September 2012

I also have pcos and my doctor wants me back on the pill because it will lower my chance of getting cancer. (Which runs in my family.)

Suz+Mo · September 2012

I have thought about this quite a bit.....here are the two options I have considered:

1) BF for six months, hormonal birth control (to control pcos and Von willebrands disease) for six months....back to the RE to start clomid

2) BF for twelve months, wean & wait a few months to see if first PP period shows and then back to the RE for clomid

3) something in between option 1 & 2

nic9911 · September 2012

I would like our children to be about 3 years apart, so I think I will be going back on BCP. I have been on them since I was 16 and I feel like its the only thing I know. I was only off BCP for 6 weeks before getting a BFP.

wifeofadam · September 2012

We don't use BC. I don't even get my first period back until 15-18 months PP, so we don't have to worry until then. We want a large family, so we just see how it goes. Our kids are usually two years apart.

phdwyfe2013 · September 2012

This is a good question and one that's been on my mind. I was on hormonal BCP for about 10 years. I don't really want to go back on them, but we don't use condoms and we both had a terrible reaction to spermicide foam (which we used when were TTA after my m/c). I'm thinking the mini-pill so we don't get an oops pregnancy, because I don't fully trust EBF as a form of birth control. I do intend to EBF and have been doing some reading/research on breastfeeding clean. DH and I and my doctor will have to talk about it to see what the best decisions will be.

ellephunt · September 2012

mjr12:

EBF did not really help my endo . . . I mean, not having a period will help your endo, but that only lasted for about 4 months for me. I breastfed for 15 months. Not all women experience lactational amenorrhea throughout their entire breastfeeding relationship (hence another pregnancy, while breastfeeding).

This is also a good point. However, I don't ovulate on my own so I don't think I'll have to worry too much about that. But good point to consider.

DanielleB256 · September 2012

I'm thinking of getting the mirena IUD after but want to make sure it won't affect my milk supply as I'd like to BF. So I may just wait to get the IUD until I'm done BF'ing and use condoms until then. We're not sure yet if this is going to be our last (1 from a previous & husband has 2 from a previous) yet so we don't want to do anything too major.

budgirl007 · September 2012

When BF'ing you have to take a special pill. I got one month's worth and it killed my supply so I stopped taking it. DH and I just used condoms around O from the time DS was born 7/6/10 (+ 6 weeks) until we started TTC #2 9/20/11.

Now that I've learned what I learned on TTGP while TTC for 10 cycles I don't think I'll ever go back on BC. We want a third anyways and I now know the week I need to wear condoms as my cycles are very predictable and I know how to track CM and temp and what not. Someday when we are done having kids I think DH will get snipped (he just doesn't know it yet lol!).

budgirl007 · September 2012

mjr12:
ellephunt:
eatdrinkstretch:

I also have endo and my endo doctor laid out a *very* specific plan for me before I got pregnant - she basically wanted me to get pregnant, BF for as long as possible to 12 months, and then get pregnant again as soon as possible. Rinse and repeat until we are done having kids (we want 2 or 3). She said that EBFing would keep the endo at bay, and that she did not want me to be on any kind of BCP between pregnancies because my cycle is really regular and she did not want me to insert any unknown factors into the situation that might make it harder for me to get pregnant the second time. Basically, she did not want me to risk a situation where I was not pregnant, not EBFing, and not TTC. We want our kids close together anyway, so I am okay with this plan... but it is a bit daunting.

Once we are done having kids we will have to discuss BC options. I would rather get a hormonal IUD than go back on BCP, but she was not sure that the IUD would have strong enough hormones to keep my (very aggressive) endo at bay. We will see what options are available by the time we are ready to have that discussion.

This is good to know! I didn't realize EBFing would help. I do not like being on BCPs either but it's always been the first step before starting meds (Femara and Clomid). I don't ovulate at all on my own so we've always needed to get my hormones in check first. I'll have to contact my RE to see what he says but as long as BFing goes well and I can keep the endo away that way I'll be happy and won't need BCPs!

EBF did not really help my endo . . . I mean, not having a period will help your endo, but that only lasted for about 4 months for me. I breastfed for 15 months. Not all women experience lactational amenorrhea throughout their entire breastfeeding relationship (hence another pregnancy, while breastfeeding).

I EBF for the first 12 months but got my first PPP when DS was 8 weeks...EBF is not birth control and some women even get KU while EBF and not getting a period so I would not rely on that alone.

TaterTwins · September 2012

I think I'm going to get a tubal during my c-section.

JenScott-4-09 · September 2012

penguingrrl:
I can't use hormonal options due to getting high blood pressure while on it (I'm normally borderline low) and having pre-e at 37+ weeks with both pregnancies.. In between my first two we used the Today Sponge. After #2 I got a non-hormonal IUD. Since we're 100% sure this baby will be our last DH will get a vasectomy after I've recovered from delivering (call me paranoid, but we don't want him to have one until the baby arrives and is healthy).

My DH will also be getting a vasectomy after I've recovered. I want to be sure that I get to take these babies home before he gets it done. My RE said I have a 0.03% chance of conceiving on my own, but with 3 LO's, DH and I are sure we are done, and don't want to take the chance of the 0.03% pulling through to bring us a #4.

schuebja · September 2012

I'm not sure what I'll do yet either. I have a really irregular cycle, so charting probably won't be enough. I'm thinking about getting an IUD since we want our kids a few years apart anyways.

ericalee27 · September 2012

I went on the mini pill at 6 weeks PP and stayed on that the entire time I breastfed.

I will likely go back on after #2 is born and then eventually DH is getting the big V.

mjr12 · September 2012

budgirl007:
mjr12:
ellephunt:
eatdrinkstretch:

I also have endo and my endo doctor laid out a *very* specific plan for me before I got pregnant - she basically wanted me to get pregnant, BF for as long as possible to 12 months, and then get pregnant again as soon as possible. Rinse and repeat until we are done having kids (we want 2 or 3). She said that EBFing would keep the endo at bay, and that she did not want me to be on any kind of BCP between pregnancies because my cycle is really regular and she did not want me to insert any unknown factors into the situation that might make it harder for me to get pregnant the second time. Basically, she did not want me to risk a situation where I was not pregnant, not EBFing, and not TTC. We want our kids close together anyway, so I am okay with this plan... but it is a bit daunting.

Once we are done having kids we will have to discuss BC options. I would rather get a hormonal IUD than go back on BCP, but she was not sure that the IUD would have strong enough hormones to keep my (very aggressive) endo at bay. We will see what options are available by the time we are ready to have that discussion.

This is good to know! I didn't realize EBFing would help. I do not like being on BCPs either but it's always been the first step before starting meds (Femara and Clomid). I don't ovulate at all on my own so we've always needed to get my hormones in check first. I'll have to contact my RE to see what he says but as long as BFing goes well and I can keep the endo away that way I'll be happy and won't need BCPs!

EBF did not really help my endo . . . I mean, not having a period will help your endo, but that only lasted for about 4 months for me. I breastfed for 15 months. Not all women experience lactational amenorrhea throughout their entire breastfeeding relationship (hence another pregnancy, while breastfeeding).

I EBF for the first 12 months but got my first PPP when DS was 8 weeks...EBF is not birth control and some women even get KU while EBF and not getting a period so I would not rely on that alone.

Yes, That's what I was trying to say, but now that I re-read it it doesn't really sound like that. Because you ovulate BEFORE your period, if you aren't being aware, it is quite possible to get KU before you even have ONE period after baby comes.

pitterpatter129 · September 2012

TaterTwins:
I think I'm going to get a tubal during my c-section.

I was starting to think I was the only one thinking "permanent" solution here. My DH will be getting snipped unless we just suddenly get a hankering for a third quickly after #2 is born!

For those of you who EBF, please don't assume you can't get pregnant! I bf for 19 months (partially while already pregnant) and NEVER had a period. We got pregnant the absolute first time we decided to try for a second one. I never did take any kind of bc while bfing though. Usually they recommend an estrogen-free kind though to prevent supply drop if you are bfing. We used the good old "pull and pray" method for 7 years before Nate was conceived on purpose and almost 2 more years before #2 was concieved on purpose! Guess we are experts at it! Condoms are always a choice too.

eatdrinkstretch · September 2012

Sorry for any confusion, ladies. I am absolutely aware that EBFing is not birth control. : My endo specialist nonetheless believes that it will be better for the endo. So I plan to start charting after birth and will chart to avoid until I am ready to get pregnant again. If my period returns quickly and the endo pain returns with it, I will have to look into a mini pill option.

southrnbellmeg7 · September 2012

I had a Bi-Lateral PE from Yasmin & Nuva-Ring (back to back use) and now I'm a canidate for non-hormonal BC options so that leaves me with a IUD or mini-pill. After all that I've been through I'm not ever going back on BC & it worked for us for 2 yrs until we were ready to start TTC with this LO. So after baby #3 has reached a couple months of age, DH will be getting a vasectomy.

wifeofadam · September 2012

eatdrinkstretch:
Sorry for any confusion, ladies. I am absolutely aware that EBFing is not birth control. : My endo specialist nonetheless believes that it will be better for the endo. So I plan to start charting after birth and will chart to avoid until I am ready to get pregnant again. If my period returns quickly and the endo pain returns with it, I will have to look into a mini pill option.

Just wanted to let you know that charting is pretty ineffective while EBFing. The hormones that help you nurse cause changes in the normal pattern of your cervical mucus. Also, your temps are often off while nursing, especially if you're waking through the night to nurse.

With that said, I've never gotten pregnant while EBFing and we don't use a back-up method. It is extremely rare to get pregnant before your first PP period shows up, so you're usually safe. But I have also gotten pregnant on the very first cycle my period returned three times in a row now. The last time we were actually trying to avoid, but because I was still nursing I must have ovulated way earlier than I usually do.

To increase your chances of not getting pregnant while BFing, make sure you don't use pacis, BF on demand, delay the introduction of solid foods (we delay until 12 months for BC and food allergy reasons), and limit the use of bottles. To be honest, at least 90% of the moms I know that have done this and have practiced extended BFing have not gotten their periods back until their babies are at least a year old.

lylahlove · September 2012

eatdrinkstretch:
To increase your chances of not getting pregnant while BFing, make sure you don't use pacis, BF on demand, delay the introduction of solid foods (we delay until 12 months for BC and food allergy reasons), and limit the use of bottles. To be honest, at least 90% of the moms I know that have done this and have practiced extended BFing have not gotten their periods back until their babies are at least a year old.

I'm still breastfeeding my 16 month old and got my period back right around his 1st birthday - as soon as he dropped a couple feedings. I was too nervous to go on any birth control in fear of crashing my supply. I got pregnant that same cycle.

kellymom.com has some good info: https://kellymom.com/bf/normal/fertility/

perplexed59 · September 2012

Condoms until my cycle comes back and regulates. I can't/won't do hormonal or any other BC. If we decide that this is our last my husband will get snipped. We have used condoms for years and it works well for us.

KD79 · September 2012

I'm a PCOS person too!

With my last baby, I nursed him for a full year. I went on the mini pill at 6 weeks post partum, and didn't get my first period until he was 10 months old.

This is absolutely our last pregnancy/baby (the 3rd), so I've been toying with the idea of getting my tubes tied during my c-section. However, I have horribly (HORRIBLY) painful periods when not on birth control, so I can't ever see myself wanting to go off of hormonal bc until I go through menopause.

Before thinking about getting my tubes tied, DH was set on getting a vasectomy and I would just go back on hormonal bc as planned.

So in other words, I'm not sure! ;-)

PB&J9 · September 2012

I'm going to go back to NFP. I know it will be harder with BFing but I think its worth a try. I don't think I'll ever go back on hormonal birth control. Although its not my first choice, DH and I would be just fine with with getting KU again soon after the first is born. So we are willing to take that slight risk.

mjr12 · September 2012

lylahlove:
eatdrinkstretch:
To increase your chances of not getting pregnant while BFing, make sure you don't use pacis, BF on demand, delay the introduction of solid foods (we delay until 12 months for BC and food allergy reasons), and limit the use of bottles. To be honest, at least 90% of the moms I know that have done this and have practiced extended BFing have not gotten their periods back until their babies are at least a year old.
I'm still breastfeeding my 16 month old and got my period back right around his 1st birthday - as soon as he dropped a couple feedings. I was too nervous to go on any birth control in fear of crashing my supply. I got pregnant that same cycle.
kellymom.com has some good info: https://kellymom.com/bf/normal/fertility/

I did this too, but my period returned at 4 months PP. DS never took a bottle or pacifier, didn't start introducing solids until about 7 months. Even then I would BF BEFORE we would offer other foods

I used ovulation test strips because my cycle was quite irregular, and that worked for us, I would just buy them from amazon.com and was able to figure out when I was fertile. Worked for a year for us. I haven't decided if we'll continue what we had done, or find something more long term.

jenlb03 · September 2012

I am getting a tubal ligation. This is my last pregnancy and I had so many complications with the IUD I will never put that thing in my body again!

buggirl72 · September 2012

My DH brought this up the other day. He does not want me on any type of hormonal bc after the baby so broached the idea about tubal litigation. I told him no. After spending almost 8 years (after 4 years of TTC) trying to come to terms with not being able to have children there is no way I can sterilize myself. This is a miracle baby that was never supposed to be possible. I figure we can use the same method that we did for the two years that DH was worried about us getting pregnant.

Shayliz · September 2012

We'll just be NTNP (not trying, not preventing) because the chances of me getting pregnant on my own with absolutely no help is slim and we want more than one child. as long as I don't have a c-section, we're tentatively planning on going back on medicated cycles around November 2013-February 2014.

MouseInLux · September 2012

Well after DD we were "using condoms" and then along came this LO. After this on I'm going to get a copper IUD as it doesn't release hormones and I'm not super happy with using hormones while I BF. If for some reason I have to have a second Csection (a planned one) I think I'm going to talk to DH about getting my tubes tied. I know we don't want any more than two as two was our possible and we were thinking about sticking with one!

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