Birth control after baby?

kstirton · July 2014

I'm really not sure what I'm going to do at this point, interested to see what other's or are doing or have done. I was on the pill for 12 years before ttc, and I believe it had a hand in the reason I didn't ovulate naturally when I got off. I also hate the idea of putting synthetic hormones back into my body after my pregnancy, and then trying to get off it again when we want more. We don't want another one right away, maybe in the next couple years.

What are other's doing?

KMW08 · July 2014

I'm having a hard time with this as well. I know my septum was most likely my pg issues, but I'm almost anti-hormone after everything I've been through.

IUDs are definitely off the table for me. I'm not having anything else done or in my uterus if it's up to me.

I was on bcp for 12yrs, and although I don't think it effected me, I'm not happy with this choice either.

Anyways, if you're ok with an iud, the copper T is non hormonal.

moroccojade · July 2014

Ugh. Who wants to have sex at all after having a baby? lol. It was miserable for the first several months. (And my vag was pristine... I had a cesarean. Sex was still miserable. Buy a gallon of lube, friends.)

But to actually answer the question... We just used condoms after our daughter was born. (Effective. They worked for 6.5 years.) I love condoms, though. My husband... not so much. But I told him if I was going to go on hormonal BC that I wouldn't have any desire AT ALL. So it was condoms or very little sex for us. The condoms won, and I was glad.

mockingjay1 · July 2014

Not sure what we will do. This is our first baby, and I think we will want at least one more. How soon that happens kind of depends on how the first few months go, how money is, and if my mom (and then possibly myself) test positive for the BRCA mutation. If everything goes well, I think we'd like to wait 3ish years. We'll probably just use condoms.

kstirton · July 2014

Never been a huge fan of condoms, but not sure if I want to do the whole surgical procedure of an IUD after I have birth, and then have it taken out ... just doesn't seem fun. My sister had a really painful ovarian cyst after she gave birth and had a mirena put in. She'd never had problems with those before, but it landed her in the ER. Maybe we'll have to resort to condoms as well ... seems like the easiest option. As long as he can still get off - seems like it always took forever w/ condoms!

kstirton · July 2014

bethas said:

I hated my IUD. I bled for 6 weeks after and woke up in a puddle of blood one morning. I know they say you shouldn't be able to feel them, but I was uncomfortable the whole time. I was at the office that morning having it removed.

Ugh, scary. that just further confirms my fears on that! lol

TeeJ526 · July 2014

I have to go back on the pill or some sort of hormonal treatment plan. It's the only thing that keeps my Endo at bay.

krgriffin26 · July 2014

I'll just go on the pill that I can take while breast feeding then back to Ortho LO after that. I was on it for 10 years with no problems. After I stopped taking it, it only took us a few cycles to get KU.

MuchlyGen · July 2014

I did NFP with the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility." It worked great - used it for six months before we decided we were ready to have a baby, and we got pregnant first try. After first son, we used it successfully for over a year, and then got pregnant first try for baby #2. Then... uh... around when baby #2 was 2.5, I got sloppy with my charting. *cough* Enter baby #3! Haha.

It's a great book to read, regardless of what birth control you end up using, to understand your body better - but the birth control method is actually really effective, as long as you actually keep track of your dates accurately. Which I did for /years/. I still can't believe I screwed it up - but of course, now I'm happy about it.

This is our last baby though, so after this my fella's getting a vasectomy.

lizzielu82 · July 2014

I feel the same way as you @kstirton‌ about the pill. I just felt so much better once I stopped taking it. I've had a lot of friends have a good experience with IUD so I think I'm going to go that route with the low hormonal option.

turtles7 · July 2014

I want to go back on the pill for the convenience of knowing when my period will come. I was able to time it to the hour. I loved it so I'll go back on it when I'm done breastfeeding.

runningmama14 · July 2014

I'll probably go back on nuva ring. I loved it for 10 years, so no reason not too. I have thought about mirena too though.

tamarnina · July 2014

I have always taken the mini pill while nursing and then gone back to a tri-phasic BCP after weaning. I will probably do the same this time, even though we don't plan on having more kids after this one. Without BCP my periods are just miserable.

silverwings72 · July 2014

DH had a vasectomy reversal so we could get pregnant for the first time (DH got vasectomy 12 years ago thinking he would never have children). The reversal cost us $10,000 and we are still paying the bank. I would pay the bank forever if it meant having this LO, but he is not having another vasectomy. So that's out. I'm thinking condoms until we decide if we want to have a second. Condoms are easy all around.

mrsodonnell12 · July 2014

natural family planning for us.

absolutelymaybe · July 2014

It's funny since we're extreme male factor infertility (we have less than a 1% chance of conceiving on our own), but DH is getting a vasectomy after twins come. He doesn't want any surprises (especially when those surprises would mean him losing his office).

JamieK1882 · July 2014

I'm not sure. I was happy with BCP (on it 14 years) and I really felt it kept my acne in check. Probably nothing while breast feeding and then back to that?

PandaCon · July 2014

I was on the NuvaRing for a long time before we decided to start trying to have kids and I liked it. We did have problems getting pregnant the first time. Took us a little over a year of really trying and then we miscarried. After the miscarriage we got pregnant right away with DS.

Since I was BF'ing we were just "careful". I wasn't charting or temping or anything though. Hence why this LO is going to come a few months before we were planning!

After this LO we will use condoms and then decide. I'm a little nervous about going back on the NuvaRing just because we had some trouble getting pregnant the first time. Unsure if it was the hormones were the problem or if it is all in my head!

We might actually follow NFP this time around too though...

kstirton · July 2014

I really have a love/hate relationship with bc pills. I think it did stabilize my moods a bit, of course my "periods" were spot on and really light - probably b/c they aren't real periods lol. I have a tendency to grow a little hair in spots I don't want, which I hate and seems more prevalent pregnant and probably off bc ... but I also had a lot of hair fall out of my head once I stopped taking it, periods wouldn't get regular, didn't ovulate, and a mass of other things I had never encountered before. It was horrible.

I'll check out the book taking charge of your fertility! Thanks!!

I am totally on board with a vasectomy when we are done ... I think if I get to go through labor this is a sacrifice he can make, LOL we'll see how he feels about that one.

aodom52309 · July 2014

I had the mirena IUD for 2.5 yrs before ttc. It worked great for my husband and I. I will most likely get another one.

kstirton · July 2014

aodom52309 said:

I had the mirena IUD for 2.5 yrs before ttc. It worked great for my husband and I. I will most likely get another one.

Did it hurt really bad getting it? Did you have any side effects from it? I heard it can make you gain weight.

Dimples0101 · July 2014

After DD we used condoms until we started trying again, but we knew we wanted to start trying within a year of her being born, so it wasn't worth it to get back on the pill. After this one DH is getting a vasectomy, so condoms until then.

ccam · July 2014

After DS, we did not use birth control. We went through IF treatments to get pregnant and we were fine with a surprise although we also didn't have any faith that it would happen on its own.

After this LO, we are done - either for good or for a while so we'll definitely be doing something. Not sure exactly what yet.

ShelleyElla22 · July 2014

I had major problems with hormonal birth control over the years so I will NEVER use them again! After my previous two, I didn't use anything. We were open to another whenever it happened. My period does not come back while I am BF so I got pregnant 6 weeks after I stopped BF each time.

sparklingwhit · July 2014

I was on HBC for 10 years before TTC and it took me 2 years to get KU. I will NEVER go on HBC ever again! There is something seriously effed up with it if it messed up my system that badly.

We will likely pull and pray for a while, although I would be totally happy with Irish twins

after the next or if we don't conceive in 2 years after this guy is out, then we will adopt our second and DH will get a vasectomy.

mslynn2012 · July 2014

Pull and pray.

It's worked perfectly for us for the past 7 years, and we were always very lucky when it came time to get pregnant (1st try with both DS and this LO)

crystaldh · July 2014

Nothing. I'm 38 and it took me years to get pregnant with my first, so I won't be trying to prevent a second baby.

Lilwatz · July 2014

Already talked to my doctor. Was on Mirena before we tried to get pregnant and it goes back in at 8 weeks. Abstinence or condoms until then. ONE BABY. ONE.

Kristil2014 · July 2014

I am not sure what we will do once this babe arrives.

IUD's scare me. I have had 3 friends who have had bad experiences happen to them while they had them:
-one got pregnant
-one had major mood swings, bloating and constant fatigue.
-one had major cramping, mood swings and fatigue.

Once the 2 ladies had the device removed, all of their issues disappeared.

dbgwife · July 2014

Natural Family Planning. We've used it successfully throughout our 7 year marriage. Though this baby was a bit of a surprise! We were open, but wanting to wait a few more months. I got sick, then the whole family got sick. I wasn't paying attention, thought we were fine (I have pcos anyhow) and well... Here we are! My husband is thinking of getting a vasectomy. I just feel like that is soo permanent... I'm not sure I'm okay with that just yet!

mander82 · July 2014

Not sure yet....if I don't try BFing or it doesn't work, I will most likely just go back on the pill. The non hormonal IUD doesn't sound too bad. Maybe I will look into that. Taking a pill everyday doesn't bother me since I take an allergy pill and my vitamin everyday as well. It's part of my bedtime routine. I will need something because I am going to have some catching up to do in the "getting laid" department once I am all recovered from baby.

Sex will be part of my workout regimen to get back in shape!

NunyaBennis · July 2014

ClrkKntismyAE said:
I don't think Mirena and Paraguard should be grouped together because they are both IUDs. Mirena is hormonal, albeit low dosage, and Paraguard is not. Many symptoms PPs are worried about like weight gain and mood swings would result from the hormones, would they not? Paraguard still runs the risk of migrating, cramping, and bleeding so it isn't perfect. However, I still think there should be a distinction between the two and that they should be researched separately.

Agree!
I would never even consider the Mirena but I loved my Paraguard. Both may be IUDs but they are completely different. I also agree with another PP that this is not an ideal method of BC for short-term family planning.

We will return to NFP after this little one. R&B (rhythm & backup) works for us. I'll probably go for essure when we're definitely finished trying to make babies... if I don't go through menopause first :P

silverwings72 · July 2014

@mander82‌ - that's awesome! I'm sure my husband and I will do the same. They say your sex life die after LO comes, I really hope this is not the case. I got some weight to drop!

hiketheworld · July 2014

No HBC for me. Ever again! I took it for over a decade and it took me that long to discover it caused my frequent migraines. Once I stopped taking it my migraines went from several a week to once every couple months. On top of that it increases your risk of a stroke. Since I have other risk factors for a stroke as well, I will never take that stuff again. We will stick with condoms only.

NunyaBennis · July 2014

hiketheworld said:
No HBC for me. Ever again! I took it for over a decade and it took me that long to discover it caused my frequent migraines. Once I stopped taking it my migraines went from several a week to once every couple months. On top of that it increases your risk of a stroke. Since I have other risk factors for a stroke as well, I will never take that stuff again. We will stick with condoms only.

That is a good point! When my IUD was removed last year my doctor and I were discussing sort term birth control. I was against BCP due to awful side effects from when I took them years ago (I think BSC has been mentioned several times). She said that improved versions had been developed since I had stopped taking them and suggested I try the lowest dose available ... until I mentioned almost as an aside that I don't really have the time for migraines, but if she was sure that the composition had changed enough that I wouldn't be able to know my emotional state of the day based on the color of the pill I'd be willing to try a month or two.
WHOAH. No no no no no!
She took the samples back from me and said she could not ethically release them to me knowing that I had such an increased risk of stroke.
I would think that if the correlation between migraines and stroke was that prevalent (wish I could insert link to stats), migraines would be on the top of the list of questions asked for the initial screening of the appropriateness of BCPs but I'm sure not going to argue - or take that chance!

Sorry for such a long winded agreement!

KMW08 · July 2014

excitedpreggo12 said:
Anyone had any experience with norplant? I think that's what it's called still, the one that goes in your arm?

Not personally. When I worked in primary care, we inserted a bunch of implanon. The most common side effect was breakthrough bleeding. After a year of having the implanon most of the patients came back & had it removed due to the breakthrough bleeding. I don't know if this issue has been resolved or not now that they no longer make the implanon and use nexplanon instead.

jillybean7582 · July 2014

Paraguard for me. This is what I had after DS. Was put in 8wks after birth and I never had any issues with it. The implanting of it was really no worse than having a pap smear in my opinion. It literally took less than 2 mins from start to finish. I had period like cramoing for a few days afterward and that was it. Having it removed again was no big deal same concept as pap smear again. They put the forcep thingy in place and pulled it out. Didn't even feel it at all. My dr told me it usually goes in easier/less painful for women having in close to giving birth because your uterus is still soft and most likely not fully closed yet.

aodom52309 · July 2014

@kstirton‌ it hurt for about 5-10secs when it was being placed. After minor cramping, but you can pre treat with Motrin prior to insertion. Actually of all the BC I've tried (Depo and pills) Mirena effected me the least. I didn't gain weight from it and only spotted a few days a months.

It worked for me, but all BC effects everyone differently. You just have to find the one that works for you.

kstirton · July 2014

Dimples0101 said:

After DD we used condoms until we started trying again, but we knew we wanted to start trying within a year of her being born, so it wasn't worth it to get back on the pill. After this one DH is getting a vasectomy, so condoms until then.

I think this sounds like something that works for us. I know I want our babies somewhat close - I'm 29 and DH is 30 so we don't want to wait too long - then after 2 we will most likely be done. So won't mess with getting back on the pill for that short of time.

MrsTuna08 · July 2014

I'm also in camp f*ck hormonal BC. I had a gorgeous cycle prior to the BCP and a really lovely, predictable cycle while on BCP (about 11-12 years). I stopped BCP about 3 months before we wanted to start TTC. It was a year and a half of wonky cycles before I got pregnant; that pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. Following the mc, my cycle went back to gorgeous. We tried to avoid pregnancy for one cycle following the mc and then got pregnant with this LO on the next cycle. I charted through about half of the wonky cycles and both post-mc cycles - there was a clear difference. I don't think the BCP caused the mc, but I feel very confident that the BCP messed with my body's ability to regulate itself making our TTC journey so much longer and harder. I will not go back to a hormonal BC. I think we will just tough it out with condoms until we decide for sure that we are done having kids. After that it's DH's turn for a bit of discomfort; he'll be having a vasectomy.

moonladymae · July 2014

I hate pills and anything that messes up my natural hormonal balance. Before we started TTC I successfully used a diaphragm, my Mom has used the diaphragm her whole life successfully as well. I am probably going to team it up with charting as well.

Want a personalized experience?

Birth control after baby?

Re: Birth control after baby?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards