Update and BC question

sparrowmomma24 · October 2013

Hello my lovely friends! I thought I would update you all on the last 5 weeks since Ellie's birth.

First of all, I cannot thank you all enough for the amazing donation. It has helped so much in the planning of Ellie's memorial. We have finally set a date (November 3). It may sound strange but I'm excited for it! The last 5 weeks have been so different from what I expected. I expected to be crying every day. To be unable to get out of bed. But that's not how it's been. I'm so blessed. I've found this strange peace. I cry every few days still. I have really bad moments sometimes. But I'm doing ok. I've started working again. It's been hard, especially with the amount of baby showers we host and how many babies come through our doors. But I know in my heart that Ellie is in the place we all hope to end up. She is in my heart and has forever changed me.

The other big news is pretty unexpected. No! I'm not pregnant! I made a great guy friend about 2 months before Ellie was born. We've been talking forever. Well, when I ended up transferred to KC that horrible weekend, he took off work and rented a hotel room just in case we needed anything. It was incredible. After Ellie's death, he's been my rock. And somewhere in the midst of it all, we found a romantic connection. He's amazing and treats me better than I could have ever imagined. We are taking things crazy slow because I refuse to fill the void from Ellie's death with a new relationship. But through it all we have God's love and direction.

Now, for my question:

I'm getting ready to start birth control for the first time in years. Any suggestions? I tried the shot but had horrible reactions to it. The pill seems a little sketchy these days and Mirena has all sorts of problems. So I'm just wanting any imput you all have!

HappyDoc · October 2013

I have been thinking about you, thank you for the update. I was on the pill for 15 years before TTC and never had any issues. I have been considering the patch or the ring, but might just go back to the pill!

BuckeyeMommy4 · October 2013

I'm so happy to read your update! I was thinking about you yesterday.

I haven't been on birth control in 8 years so I don't really have any helpful input.

km_md · October 2013

Thank you for keeping us updated. I'm glad and really inspired by the peace that you have managed to find through this tragedy.

Jackapatamus · October 2013

Been thinking of you. I am glad you've found a good place to be. I too, have been off bc for about 10 years, so no personal input. But my bf always liked the Nuvaring.

ScarlettDahlia · October 2013

Thank you for the update. I'm happy to hear how you're doing these days!

As for BC, before I went on the shot (which was a HUGE mistake), I was on NuvaRing for about 3 years. I loved it. DH, on the other hand, was not a fan, lol. I think it had the least amount of side effects for me.

MeganWorden · October 2013

Its good to see your update. I still think of you often.

I was on the ring for 3 years before going off BC. I absolutely loved it. I have tried the pill but found it difficult to remember to take it at exactly the same time every day. I was on the shot for 2 years, it was horrible never consider it!!

I loved the ring because I always new it was there and working (with the pill I would flip out in the middle of the day worrying if I had taken it or not). I am umm, petite, down there so I was worried it would not fit but I never had issues with it! They say that you are more prone to yeast infections but I think I only had one in the 3 years so that was not an issue with me. If you have any other questions please let me know!

twobluelines · October 2013

So glad that things are going well for you. Thinking of you and how you find lasting love inyour new relationship.

Ljessen13 · October 2013

Good to see u doing well!!! Stay strong

I have used love string and love it!!! No period

slmille4 · October 2013

Sparrow thanks for te update. And glad to hear u are doing well. I was on the pill for 10 years before TTC. There are some pills that had different hormones in them and those were the sketchy ones, but I believe ortho tri is still pretty safe. Maybe ask ur doc the differences.

cja06 · October 2013

So glad that you are finding peace and moving forward. We've all been thinking about you.

I still stand by the pill. I just think you have to find what works for you. I used ortho tri cyclen or the generic version for the better part of 20 years. I never found it to have the side-effects many claim from BCP. I only had one "accident" during that time, two years ago and that was because I skipped 2 and didn't realize it - so complete user error. And I was not a stickler about taking it at the same time each day. I always took it right before I went to bed, whenever that was.

Arrgcr · October 2013

I have been thinking about you! Thanks for the update. I would talk to your dr about the types that will work best for you, but I did ortho-tri-cyclineLO before getting pregnant.

I'm so glad things are better for you. I've been a bit worried on how you were fareing.

My friend is getting an implant in her arm that releases hormones to keep her from having her period. It will last for three years. She also has endemetriosis and cysts and such, so I'm not sure if its for special situations or not.

aessary03 · October 2013

I, too, had been thinking of you. I'm so relieved to know you're OK. I know grief is a strange thing and a long road, but it sounds like you're working through it. I hope you'll continue to pop in from time to time. Sounds like you have an excellent head on your shoulders. Glad you found someone who treats you well and you're taking it slow. So happy for you.

As for birth control, I'm of no help. It all makes me a raging hormonal bitch, so I stay away from it. My hubby used condoms (his choice) until he was ready for us to TTC.

sarahmarie2 · October 2013

I'm so happy to hear that you're doing well. I, too, was thinking of you recently. I hope things continue to look up for you. Your strength through this has truly been inspirational.

ChuggingWater · October 2013

Glad to read your update. I've been thinking of you.

jldubb0626 · October 2013

Great to hear from you Sparrow. I'm glad you've found peace and someone to be your rock. *hugs*

I used the pill, but was never really a fan. It put my hormones out of whack. Nuvaring is getting great reviews with my friends.

nolagal79 · October 2013

As others, I've been thinking of you often. I find peace in reading your update and know that God works in wonderfully mysterious ways.

I was on the pill for 15 years before TTC. I changed from Yaz (allergic reaction), to Ortocyclen, to LoEstrogen - I was on the latter for about 8 years. Thankfully I didn't have many negative reactions to it. Best of luck in your decision.

Dishylo · October 2013

Hey Sparrow, good to hear from you, that you're in a good place and have found somebody you can lean on and trust. I had been on the pill for 14 years with a year break where I had the coil (I think they call it an IUD here?). I have a really small cervix and it was tough to put in and once it was in, I would wake up with such bad cramps in the middle of the night. I ended up having it taken out less than a year aft it was fit. There were several reasons that I had to wait that long but if I didn't have to, I would have had it taken out immediately. It was also painful to remove but again, I have a small cervix. I have friends and family who have the coil and no problems at all! Good luck, keep us posted on how things go for you.

OSUWifey09 · October 2013

It's great to see an update from you. You are so amazingly strong, and I'm glad things are going as well as they can. I'm also glad you set a date for Ellie's memorial; I know that will be an emotional day but also a day of celebration.

I went on Ortho for three months to regulate my cycles after losing Devon. I never had any side effects and just took it at lunch so I would always take it [I also set an alarm]. I hope you find one that works for you. Still thinking of you often. *hugs*

sparrowmomma24 · October 2013

I have another doctor's appointment tomorrow which is why I'm asking about BC. I was on Ortho-Tri for several years right before I got married. I got pregnant and miscarried within a few weeks several times so I don't trust pills very well. I was very careful and took them at the same time every day. My sister is on NuvaRing and loves it. I have been leaning towards that. I won't go near any of the IUD's because I have an incompetent cervix and I refuse to mess with that. I've had a few people from loss boards tell me that they tried the implant that goes in your arm, but I'm nervous about that too. Why does it all have to be so complicated? Ha ha!

I'm so thankful to all of you for being so supportive through it all. I'm so blessed for all of you. For my wonderful family and friends. For the wonderful man God has put in my life. And for my perfect, beautiful Ellie. She's my angel and my daughter always.

cowscrub · October 2013

Sparrow so glad to hear from you and to hear you have found a great person to share your life with.
I was on BCP for years, as well as both types of IUD's. The paraguard worked way better for me, side effect wise, I had none.

LadyJ2949 · October 2013

So glad to hear from you!! I'm glad to hear you have found some comfort and happiness through this challenging time in your life.

I don't have much to add in terms of birth control. I was on the pill for about three years before TTC. I was on Loestrin 24 which I now hear has been discontinued. I really liked that pill and it was the only one that didn't make me feel like a hormonal psycho. Other than condoms, I haven't tried any other form of birth control but I, too, have heard negative things about the shot so would personally steer clear of that.

mommygrams0730 · October 2013

You sound so at peace and level headed after all you've gone though. Still praying for strength and peace as time goes on.

Sorry I'm no help with bc..I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to use.

daltosostarby · October 2013

So glad to hear you are doing well. I've been thinking about you wondering how you were doing. Glad you found someone you can lean on and trust.

I was in the NuvaRing for years. It was the only bc that didn't seem to mess with my system. I liked the patch too, but was allergic to the glue it used, so I had to stop using it.

peanutmuse · October 2013

You sound like you are arriving in a good, peaceful place. That is good news. Best wishes to you.

rowanthefrog · October 2013

Big, enormous hugs. Thanks so much for the update and I'm glad you are in a peaceful place.

Personally I've had Mirena between each of my pregnancies and I will get it again after this one. I've also heard mixed reviews but frankly I loved it! No periods!

The only thing I would caution with it is if/when you decide you want to get pregnant again, remove it about 3-6 months before you start trying. It really thins out your lining and I think that it contributed to 1 or more of my miscarriages. I got pregnant 2 weeks after having it pulled out. They say you can try right away but I recommend against that.

But other than that, I was a fan!

A

Sam&Dan05 · October 2013

i am so glad that you are doing well!

I had been on the implanon. it is an insert in your arm, that lasts for 3 years. i verys seldom got my period and when i did i just spotted. i loved it! and you didnt have to worry about a shot. or pill or patch, it just sat there in your arm. used it for about 6 years and prior was on the pill.

we conceived 6 months after removal

fredtheredhead2 · October 2013

That was a great update Sparrow! It sounds like you are coming to a good place.

As for bc, I have always used the pill and the only real side effect I have had has been a decreased libido.

Tylynngrace · October 2013

I'm so glad that you're finding peace in the midst of your loss and that someone has been able to be there for you like you need!

As for birth control I used orthoevra patches for a couple years and it worked perfectly for me.

pennstated912 · October 2013

So glad to hear from you, Sparrow, and that you're doing well. I've been thinking about you!

I was on the pill for 10 years before TTC. The two that worked the best for me were Yasmin and Loestrin 24 FE. However, with the Loestrin, I never got AF because it only has 4 days of sugar pills. However, it definitely kept my endo and PCOS at bay.

I highly suggest not going on NuvaRing. I know many people love it but a lot of my friends have had problems with it (falling out, tons of breakthrough bleeding, etc). One of my really good friends, who is a pharmacist, actually got pregnant with twins while using it!

dltate29 · October 2013

So good to hear from you and I am so happy to see you are making good progress on getting to a good place in your life!

I am probably no help on the BC because I have used the pills for years and they have always worked for me.

megngregk · October 2013

Sparrow, so happy to hear that you're doing so well and getting back to a normal routine. Ellie will always be in your heart. You deserve happiness, and I'm glad you're finding it. Thanks for keeping in touch with us!

LuGal623 · October 2013

So glad to hear from you Sparrow and I'm thankful you have good support. My sister was on the NuvaRing and loved it. I was on the pill for a good 8 years and never had a problem. Good luck with your choice!

bethughknee · October 2013

Glad to hear you're doing well and thanks for the update.

I have never responded well to anything hormonal so DH and I relied on condoms until we were ready to get pregnant. I have a few friends who have Mirenas in and are on year 2 or 3 and are pretty happy. Maybe it just depends on your body? Everyone else I know on BC is either on the ring or the pill and I seem to hear less complaints about the ring. Hope you find an option that works for you!

vstevens · October 2013

Hi Sparrow - so glad to read your update. I continue to think of you.

As for your question, I was on lo-dose birth control for ages - I found that better than some of the higher dose varieties, but it does mean you have to really be consistent with the time of day that you take it.

valigrl21 · October 2013

Hi Sparrow! Thanks for the update - it sounds like you are doing as well as can be.

As far as BC - I am a fan of the pill so I am probably not much help.

SweetPeaKate · October 2013

Haven't been on it for 5 or 6 years, but I would ask your OB/GYN about different options and explain your reactions to previous choices.

On the other hand, I'm so thankful you have found such amazing peace. I pray that it will continue for you as holidays, her due date, and other milestones pass!

litzo27 · October 2013

Thank you for the update - so happy to hear from you! I did BC pills before and never had any issues but I'm planning to try for a non-hormonal IUD for a more hassle-free solution (I hope hassle-free).