Birth control newbie

preggoandglowing · November 2015

So I have never been on birth control, probably why I got pregnant on the first try. Anywho, I will discuss with my OB but wanted to know in advance so I don't look completely ignorant: I'm interested in inserting a birth control "device" (rather than pills or a shot). Are some of these devices implanted during the birth process? Or is everything done at your post partum appointment? And while we're at it, any in particular that you ladies recommend with no hormones? More of a blocker

Mother0fDragons · November 2015

Are you planning on breastfeeding? If so you'll want a progestin only bc pill/IUD. https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12642640/breastfeeding-stm-birth-control/p1
ETA the IUD gets inserted at your postpartum appointment. The copper IUD Paraguard, is hormone free.
*words are hard.

asc88 · November 2015

I'm interested too! Following!

kristib1027 · November 2015

Nexplanon is safe during breastfeeding and inserted in your arm at your post partum check up. It's not hormone free, but it's my preferred form of BC. Do a lot of research and talk with your doc before you decide on anything, getting input from other women is great, but doing your own research and seeing what might be best for your body and lifestyle is ultimately key. you may want to look at some other and older methods. Although less common and not as reliable something like the sponge or a diaphragm may be a good fit for you since you are looking at hormone free.

kristib1027 · November 2015

Also I should mention that I've been on BC since I was 13 to regulate my cycles and combat bad skin as a teen and I got pregnant each time after one "try."

stickybun14 · November 2015

My friend just had the one from her arm removed. She has now had a period for over 6 weeks as her uterus can't rebuild itself? She is also on estrogen tablets because of it.

Agree with all the other PP's to do as much research as you can on all your options.

preggoandglowing · November 2015

Thanks for your answers, very helpful. I will definitely research further.

katherines2ndminime · November 2015

I had the Mirena for years. Although it does have horomones released within the uterus, it is not supposed to go systemic. After a few months, I didn't get my period for the entire time I had it. I will have this done again 8weeks postpartum.

kristen2b · November 2015

My friend got the one they put in your arm and has had three week periods for months now. And the dr says it will cost $300 with insurance to have it removed. It's been a nightmare.

navarrobunny · November 2015

Do not get Mirena. Horrible experience here, doctors said it couldn't have been that until I read forums. Low and behold the 100 pounds I gained, terrible back pains, non existent sex drive, feeling dirty and ugly, being a hungry bottomless pit........ Disappeared once I removed it. I'm in the same boat as you, I'm not very interested in birth control, but I need something.

navyblueladybug · November 2015

I'm probably going to use a good old condom afterwards. I plan on trying for my second LO in about a year so I don't think I'll go with anything that's supposed to be long term. I might try the mini pill though. DH and I are probably only going to have 2 kids and he's all for a vasectomy when our family is complete.

Daphneh28 · November 2015

Im getting the paragard. Its an IUD and its hormone free which is exactly what I need. Ive tried different birth controls (ring/pills) and anything with even the slightest hint of hormones throws my body off big time. I should have known pregnancy was going to be a kick in the butt with all these hormones lol! So I absolutely need hormone free BC. It gets put in at PP appointment and we already ordered it.

VesperLove · November 2015

I definitely think this is one of those questions best discussed with your doc ... and for you to do some research on your own. Birth control is so different for everyone. I've been on some form of birth control since I was 16 and have switched it up a few different times to find what was right for me. What worked for my sister and my best friend, etc, was very different from what worked for me. Advice is great for places to start but definitely don't jump on one just because someone said they had an awesome experience. Make sure it really fits with what you're looking for.

nik6499 · November 2015

There are a lot of birth control options and the best person to talk to is your provider. In a room full of women you will get lots of horror stories from people with atypical reactions. I have had patients on every method and each person is different with regards to what their birth control needs are and what method suits them the best. Your doc can go over the pros and cons of every method with you and help you choose what is best for you. They are also pretty well versed in what your insurance will pay for and when.

mrs14678 · November 2015

I tried a bunch of different pills, and none of them were good! I'm allergic to base metals, and a lot of the iuds are copper, so that's out for me..... Found out I was allergic to latex by using condoms.... Haha! Ow. I'd always wondered why my hands got itchy with gloves, but never wore them long enough to realize.

So..... Charting/natural family planning and non-latex condoms are our method.... So far it's been effective. Just takes a little more effort to keep track of things.

breezypip · November 2015

I kind of can't believe it, but I'm going to have to worry about birth control as well. I had been on the pill for years with no problem, then it started exasperating my migraines. At that time DH and I decided to start trying for a baby. Three years later, no baby, and much testing we found out DH has severe MFI and our "only hope" to conceive was IVF. So after two rounds of failed IVF, I got pregnant on my own waiting to start a third cycle. Go figure.., don't ever let anyone tell you something's impossible!

Anyway, the one plus to our situation was once we got our IVF baby we would never have to worry about birth control. But I guess we do now. I'm planning on looking into non-hormonal options if possible due to my migraines. If nothing sounds good, then I guess good old fashioned condoms it is.

soulfish · November 2015

Be careful with anything long-term (like an inplant) that you aren't used to. I got a depo shot years ago and was absolutely MISERABLE for the 3 months that it stayed in my system. Turna out high progestin bc makes me a little crazy. Hoping my Dr can offer some different options to use while breastfeeding.

HFjeld · November 2015

I liked the copper iud between my first and second pregnancies. Next time I'm going to go for the mirena, though, because it prevents you from getting your periods (I believe?) and I felt awful every time I got my period while I was breastfeeding. (I started my period again four months after having my first baby).

groovylocks · November 2015

Ok I have a really dumb question about the IUD. So the idea is that it sits in your uterus and makes your body think you're essentially in the early stages of pregnancy, right? So what are the implications of this? Do you still have periods? What about having 1st trimester symptoms like cramps, nausea or bloating? I googled these questions, just a quick search, and the verdict was mixed in responses to both. And if it mimics pregnancy, how does the body know to have a period? Wouldn't it not shed the lining of the uterus for the same reason the IUD works as birth control to begin with?

violetigerlily · November 2015

@groovylocks, from my (non-doctor) understanding, the two IUD's available work in slightly different ways.

The Paraguard (the copper IUD without hormones) apparently prevents pregnancy by releasing copper ions that cause a mild inflammatory reaction in the uterus (according to the Mayo clinic) that makes the environment inhospitable to sperm. That doesn't sound super comfortable, but the friends I know that use it haven't noticed anything uncomfortable after the initial insertion. In that sense, I don't think it's mimicking pregnancy and I don't think it really changes your cycle, just stops the sperm from reaching or fertilizing the egg. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/paragard/basics/definition/prc-20013048

The Mirena IUD does secrete hormones (progestin apparently) that somewhat mimic pregnancy or at least the stages in your monthly cycle where you aren't fertile. It thickens the cervical mucus, thins the lining of the uterus, and suppresses ovulation (hence why some people stop having periods while on it), so fertilization can't occur. It sounds like in that sense it's kind of like the pill (same or similar hormones doing the same stuff) but instead of circulating through your whole bloodstream, is released close to where it needs to go. Most of the first trimester symptoms I think are actually more from the HCG that the embryo and placenta release, which is a totally different hormone--though certainly people can have weird reactions to anything. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/mirena/basics/definition/prc-20012867

I'm looking into both of these options myself. If anyone has any corrections, let me know--this is just based on my background and google searching medical resources. I've had poor reactions to many different pill brands/doses, so I'm thinking of going with Paraguard, but will have a long convo with my OB before that happens.

groovylocks · November 2015

soulfish said:
Be careful with anything long-term (like an inplant) that you aren't used to. I got a depo shot years ago and was absolutely MISERABLE for the 3 months that it stayed in my system. Turna out high progestin bc makes me a little crazy. Hoping my Dr can offer some different options to use while breastfeeding.

HFjeld said:
I liked the copper iud between my first and second pregnancies. Next time I'm going to go for the mirena, though, because it prevents you from getting your periods (I believe?) and I felt awful every time I got my period while I was breastfeeding. (I started my period again four months after having my first baby).

Sorry I guess I missed the last two posts in this thread. So if it's not laced with hormones, the IUD doesn't cause symptoms of pregnancy? Just pulls a "no room at the inn" trick when egg and sperm try to move in? Why have the hormone version at all?

groovylocks · November 2015

violetigerlily said:
@groovylocks, from my (non-doctor) understanding, the two IUD's available work in slightly different ways.

The Paraguard (the copper IUD without hormones) apparently prevents pregnancy by releasing copper ions that cause a mild inflammatory reaction in the uterus (according to the Mayo clinic) that makes the environment inhospitable to sperm. That doesn't sound super comfortable, but the friends I know that use it haven't noticed anything uncomfortable after the initial insertion. In that sense, I don't think it's mimicking pregnancy and I don't think it really changes your cycle, just stops the sperm from reaching or fertilizing the egg. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/paragard/basics/definition/prc-20013048

The Mirena IUD does secrete hormones (progestin apparently) that somewhat mimic pregnancy or at least the stages in your monthly cycle where you aren't fertile. It thickens the cervical mucus, thins the lining of the uterus, and suppresses ovulation (hence why some people stop having periods while on it), so fertilization can't occur. It sounds like in that sense it's kind of like the pill (same or similar hormones doing the same stuff) but instead of circulating through your whole bloodstream, is released close to where it needs to go. Most of the first trimester symptoms I think are actually more from the HCG that the embryo and placenta release, which is a totally different hormone--though certainly people can have weird reactions to anything. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/mirena/basics/definition/prc-20012867

I'm looking into both of these options myself. If anyone has any corrections, let me know--this is just based on my background and google searching medical resources. I've had poor reactions to many different pill brands/doses, so I'm thinking of going with Paraguard, but will have a long convo with my OB before that happens.

This is awesome! Thank you.

nik6499 · November 2015

Mirena does suppress ovulation which is often why periods stop or get significantly lighter

Mother0fDragons · November 2015

groovylocks said:

Be careful with anything long-term (like an inplant) that you aren't used to. I got a depo shot years ago and was absolutely MISERABLE for the 3 months that it stayed in my system. Turna out high progestin bc makes me a little crazy. Hoping my Dr can offer some different options to use while breastfeeding.

I liked the copper iud between my first and second pregnancies. Next time I'm going to go for the mirena, though, because it prevents you from getting your periods (I believe?) and I felt awful every time I got my period while I was breastfeeding. (I started my period again four months after having my first baby).
Sorry I guess I missed the last two posts in this thread. So if it's not laced with hormones, the IUD doesn't cause symptoms of pregnancy? Just pulls a "no room at the inn" trick when egg and sperm try to move in? Why have the hormone version at all?

Because some people need certain amounts (or different type) of hormones to make their menstrual cycles better/more tolerable.

groovylocks · November 2015

Mother0fDragons said:

groovylocks said:

Be careful with anything long-term (like an inplant) that you aren't used to. I got a depo shot years ago and was absolutely MISERABLE for the 3 months that it stayed in my system. Turna out high progestin bc makes me a little crazy. Hoping my Dr can offer some different options to use while breastfeeding.

I liked the copper iud between my first and second pregnancies. Next time I'm going to go for the mirena, though, because it prevents you from getting your periods (I believe?) and I felt awful every time I got my period while I was breastfeeding. (I started my period again four months after having my first baby).
Sorry I guess I missed the last two posts in this thread. So if it's not laced with hormones, the IUD doesn't cause symptoms of pregnancy? Just pulls a "no room at the inn" trick when egg and sperm try to move in? Why have the hormone version at all?

Because some people need certain amounts (or different type) of hormones to make their menstrual cycles better/more tolerable.

Another really good point. Thanks ladies. I've been considering getting an IUD but the last thing i want are weird periods or more of the first trimester all over again.

chodge29 · November 2015

I would also recommend talking to your doctor and seeing/trying out what works best for you. I always had irregular periods and had alot of trouble with birth control pills. I had the Mirena for five years and loved it but it worked well for me. We got pregnant four months after deciding to try/having it removed. I'll probably get it again a few months after delivering.

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