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juju0592 · December 2015

So at my last appt my ob wanted to know if I had thought about birth control after I have Isabella. If thought about it, a lot. This is my third child (all girls) and this is a back to back pregnancy- so I need a break. Thing is, I'm in the percentage of people whose body hates birth control. Depo made me sick, like vomiting and extreme weight gain. The patch made whatever side it was on each week ache like I had the flu. Implanon made me bleed for almost a year and a half straight. I'm really not into iuds but I'm starting to review them. I don't want copper but was thinking mirena? Any reviews? Good and bad?

MamaHolland · December 2015

If I had that many adverse reactions to birth control I'd be leery to do an IUD.

Emott13 · December 2015

I know I'm going to sound like a hippie here, but have you put any thought into taking a course on natural family planning? It's really not hard at all, and with it DH and I were able to plan our two kiddos two years apart almost to the day. Literally, I am due on DD's second birthday. It's all just about becoming familiar with your body's cycles, and there are typically only about 3-4 days a month that you shouldn't have sex in order to avoid pregnancy. It's so easy and that way you don't have to worry about how your body will react to it like you would with an implant or the pill. I know most people think it's too much work, but it's honestly easier than remembering to take a pill everyday, and like I said there's nothing you have to take. Anyway, with proper practice it's 99% effective, just like the pill, so it's worth a look in to if your body typically rejects hormones.

Jessdub10 · December 2015

Is there a reason you are opposed to the copper IUD? From my understanding it is the only one that does not use hormones, which may be easier on your system as opposed to the mirena?
This was the route I was considering so I'm really wondering if there's a reason to rethink the copper IUD?
I'm not interested in the mirena because my sister has used it for a while and is unhappy with her reaction to it - acne, mood swings, small weight gain... Nothing major as far as these things go, I just feel more comfortable and energetic off the pill/hormones.

Hipshaker · December 2015

I like natural family planning and barrier methods, my babies will be four years apart. My body hates bc too. I endured it for years because I thought it was the most responsible thing to do. And after I had my dd. I said no more. Plus I was pretty fearful of the drop in supply that comes from bc. I was very aware of this since I struggled at the beginning with supply.

ashhsa · December 2015

I've had mirena to manage my endometriosis. I say go for it- it is easy enough for the doctor to remove if it doesn't work for you. I've known a couple of girls who had it and loved it. I liked it because it did its job. It doesn't hurt getting it removed or anything like that.

missperky · December 2015

I'm here because my paragard (copper IUD) "fell" out or is still floating around inside me. Ultrasounds have been inconclusive. That being said I'll be going back to implanon I was able to pair it with a nuva ring which stopped the spotting.

Knottie1452445632 · December 2015

I used a copper cool in between baby no 2 & 3 and it was great. No issues. I like you cannot tolerate BC but I feel very ill with hormonal birth control and to top it off I'm allergic to latex so my options are limited. This is my 4th baby and we are definitely done but we will be using the copper coil and latex free condoms (very expensive) until I get fixed. Good luck x

Cricket99 · December 2015

I'm the same way with most birth controls. I was on a really excellent pill for a while Natazia, that was really low dose and didn't make me sick. This time around we are going to go with natural family planning. There are all kinds of apps for your phone that can help you track your cycles.

Kelley421 · December 2015

Mirena caused weight gain, acne and ovarian cysts for me. I also suspect it permanently screwed my hormones and caused my infertility. (Not that I can prove it, but lots of women reported the same issue after Mirena)
I get crazy hormonal with BC. We used natural planning for a year (before we knew of any probs).
DH is getting a vasectomy in case we are one of those couples that magically get pregnant after Infertility. 4 kids is enough for us.

Leah6120 · December 2015

Natural planning is not for everyone, and I don't pretend to presume how having multiple children already would make it that much harder but that's our plan. We had to try for 2 years to get pregnant with this baby so I spent a lot of time learning my body's cycle and signals for ovulation and menstruation. Once you have a gauge on it then it's really not too bad. But if you plan on being done after this id consider something permanent for one of you (tubal or vasectomy).

ChrissyD1203 · December 2015

I'm doing natural family planning as well after baby comes. There is something I like about not putting extra hormones into my body. I was actually on birth control pills (a few types) for my endometriosis a few years back and like you, had really bad experiences.

kmo8986 · December 2015

We are done with this baby, and I am done putting hormones in my body, so hubby has agreed to get a vasectomy. I am very happy with that decision.

lemomof5 · December 2015

We have done natural family planning and barrier method. It's worked for us the last 10 years. But not we are both done so he will be getting a vasectomy.

mesamyt · December 2015

I liked the convenience of the Mirena. However, my body didn't like it. It ended up affecting my cycle to where I was bleeding for half the month; one week on, one week off. It was awful. I had it removed and found out I was already 5 weeks pregnant. It's not for everyone I guess.

klbh · December 2015

I loved the Mirena! Had it for just over four years with no noticeable side effects (other than super light periods) and got pregnant on my first cycle TTC afterward. When I had it removed I got totally freaked out by reading anecdotes online about fertility difficulties afterwards, but AFAIK there are no studies showing a link between infertility and Mirena use.

kimber308 · December 2015

This is my first child and she was conceived through fertility treatments. It took a long time. While we would like one more child, we are happy and feel fortunate with the one, so we will not be seeking fertility treatments a second time. We'd like it to happen naturally, so I will not be going on birth control at all. Doctor is not happy about this because of the toll a second pregnancy so soon could take on my body. However, I don't want to prevent something that we want so terribly, especially since we will not seek any further fertility treatments. Our plan is to just wait and see what happens - if it happens within the next 2-3 years we would be thrilled. But the doctor will just have to be okay with NO birth control.

fishsticks-n-custard · December 2015

I loved my Mirena too. No complications except for 2-3 days of crazy emotions when I had it removed. I was pregnant within two months of having it removed without really realizing I was already regularly cycling again.

It was also a really nice break from my normally very heavy cycles; I had no bleeding for the first two years and after that only minimal bleeding with cycles. FAN-tastic experience.

Mommyduclos · December 2015

If you've had such strong adverse reactions to birth control it was most likely due to the hormones and you'd probably get a similar situation with mirena. If it is the hormones than the copper IUD might actually work for you. That's what I use to avoid hormones and it works well for me. There will always always be stories of failures but honestly an IUD is the most affective and *most* cases of pregnancy are because the IUD fell out. So if you check regularly like you are supposed to hopefully you would avoid that, though still the only method that is 100% is abstinence. You could try the mini pill will is progesterone only to see if it's the estrogen that is upsetting your body, but there's a potential of user error there cause it has to be taken at the exact same time every day or it won't work. I'm assuming you are wanting to avoid barrier methods, but there are some options there that are non hormonal too, but honestly barrier methods are the least effective method so that's something to consider too.

ChrissyD1203 · December 2015

@kimber308 I haven't told my doctor no artificial birth control yet either so I do not know what her reaction will be. The only thing I wanted to add is that from the limited materials I have read there seem to be important health reasons for you and next baby to give your body time to get back to normal (the book I am currently reading says 18 months). I only bring this up in case you wanted to look into it further - I don't know if what I am reading is reputable or not. Also, for friends and family members that had difficulty with the first conception, many did not have any difficulty with the second. I'm in favor of natural too (partially for religious reasons and partially because I don't react well to hormones) so I'm hoping that I can do the natural family planning thing for two years or so successfully.

ctmamaoftwo · December 2015

I had the Mirena for about a year and half as I don't react well to other birth control either. I had very minimal weight gain and I did have some cramping/pain from it which was uncomfortable. My OBGYN had warned me about this though and said it is common if you have never had a child. So I assume now it wouldn't be an issue. I'd recommend it.

PedsIsHardcore · December 2015

If it was me, I would go for the copper IUD vs any of the others. If you have that many issues with hormones then the coppy IUD would be beneficial. I get you said you don't want to but I would look into it more just so 100% sure know all the pros and cons vs hormone birth control.

kmb0806 · December 2015

I'm here having 2 under 2 because of my copper iud. It didn't fall out or puncture or do anything except simply not work. An ultrasound showed it in place after my positive pregnancy test. The OB pulled it out and now I'm having a baby when my baby won't even be 1.5. I got one because it worked for me before and is supposed to be nearly as good as sterilization. But then statistics don't matter when you thought you were done having kids and bc fails. My 5 year old was conceived doing natural family planning correctly. I'm also not good with hormonal birth control hence trying NFP and the copper IUD. The answer depends on how "done" with having kids you are. Nothing is 100% so you have to be prepared for pregnancy on bc because it can happen even if you do everything right. I was done last time and figured the paragard was "so good" by the time the 10 years was up I'd be nearly menopausal anyway. However I got pregnant four months after having it put in, so this time I am getting a tubal since I have to have another c section anyway. I've lobbied DH to get a vasectomy as well to be extra sure but so far he's shying away from it. We may be celibate!

nanamp · December 2015

I really liked skyla, which I think is like a mini Mirena

samara267 · December 2015

I use NFP and pulling out. My husband is very good about pulling out and it worked for us for many years. I have MTHFR so I can't take any estrogen based BC and Progestin based BC makes me feel like crap.

That being said, your doctor has no right to demand answers from you about your birth control method. You either want it or you don't. Period. If my midwife was pressuring me into anything I'd be looking for a different provider.

kimber308 · December 2015

ChrissyD1203 said:

@kimber308 I haven't told my doctor no artificial birth control yet either so I do not know what her reaction will be. The only thing I wanted to add is that from the limited materials I have read there seem to be important health reasons for you and next baby to give your body time to get back to normal (the book I am currently reading says 18 months). I only bring this up in case you wanted to look into it further - I don't know if what I am reading is reputable or not. Also, for friends and family members that had difficulty with the first conception, many did not have any difficulty with the second. I'm in favor of natural too (partially for religious reasons and partially because I don't react well to hormones) so I'm hoping that I can do the natural family planning thing for two years or so successfully.

I know. This is what the doctor said, too. I know it's selfish of me to think, but I can't help how fortunate I'd feel if we did conceive another child - and naturally. I will read up a little further on it, though. Thank you!

cyanope · December 2015

I was on the pill for years and started to develop cysts on my liver (of all places) from it. My doctor recommended that I try another form of BC, but I wasn't interested in an IUD. So, family planning and the barrier method worked for us until we were ready to start trying. It just takes a bit more forethought, but I will never go back to any type of BC involving hormones again.

NillaWafers · December 2015

Emott13 said:

I know I'm going to sound like a hippie here, but have you put any thought into taking a course on natural family planning? It's really not hard at all, and with it DH and I were able to plan our two kiddos two years apart almost to the day. Literally, I am due on DD's second birthday. It's all just about becoming familiar with your body's cycles, and there are typically only about 3-4 days a month that you shouldn't have sex in order to avoid pregnancy. It's so easy and that way you don't have to worry about how your body will react to it like you would with an implant or the pill. I know most people think it's too much work, but it's honestly easier than remembering to take a pill everyday, and like I said there's nothing you have to take. Anyway, with proper practice it's 99% effective, just like the pill, so it's worth a look in to if your body typically rejects hormones.

This! Check out Kindara, it's a great app that can help you track your cycles, CM & CP. I spaced our kids out 3 years on NFP. They also have a cool bluetooth thermometer that just plugs your temps in (kinda expensive though). There is also fertility friend but they don't really endorse TTA, only TTC. Feel free to PM me about it!

holocene · December 2015

Natural family planning has been amazing for us too. We've been able to space our children perfectly. It's much easier than you think, and it keeps all the crap out of your body.

nickilynn0516 · December 2015

I had Mirena for almost 4 years. No problems. I did have them do an ultrasound once because I thought it had moved. But it didn't! My period resumed normally after I got it out to try for current baby.

MeghaJake · December 2015

I did natural family planning for nine years and only had kids when I wanted them but here I am pregnant with my third and it was not planned. If you are ok with the possibility of an unplanned pregnancy, it's a good option. Of course, unplanned pregnancies occur with birth control too.

cawalp · December 2015

I tried the pill (which was okay, but I hated taking it everyday at the same time) then Depo (which caused excessive weight gain that I never got completely off) and finally the copper IUD which fell out about a month later. Doctor said it was normal to fall out when you haven't had kids yet but I never got one put back in. We used natural planning and pulling out for 3 years successfully before this pregnancy happened on purpose. You have to be careful and time your periods but it's totally worth not having to deal with hormones or barrier methods.

cbeebe134 · December 2015

My SO and I used the pull out method and natural family planning for over 9 years before we purposefully got pregnant with our LO. Im also part of the group that doesn't like adding hormones to my body, I did use birth control for a few years when I was a teenager and just didn't like how it made me feel. Both of my sisters had Mirena, my youngest had to have it removed after 6 months because she just kept bleeding with it in. And my other sister had it in for a couple years but even though she had no complications with it in (other then weight gain) now that it's out she's having problems conceiving for the past almost 2 years. (Not necessarily blaming Mirena but she had no problems conceiving before getting it)

CaraBoonie · December 2015

My sister got a non-hormonal IUD after trying for years to find a pill that worked for her...none did, some made her bleed for a month straight, made her have moods swings, etc. (vs my mom and I who were both on the pill for a decade before conceiving with no issues...and my mom was on the pill in the 70s when it wasn't as tame as it is today). She LOVES her IUD and has had no issues.

knp012 · December 2015

My doctor started this conversation with me too. I had the same thoughts as you on the options. After giving it some thought, I told the doctor today that I want to wait to decide in the hopes that I can take the pill if I'm not having breastfeeding issues. This doctor (different from the last appointment) mentioned the "mini pill." She said it is the preferred pill of breastfeeding moms. It adds protection in addition to the protection of the breastfeeding itself. You may want to ask your doctor about this option, and see if it would be right for you.

ShannyFann · December 2015

I stopped taking hormonal bc about a year and a half before my husband and I got married. We got pregnant as soon as we started trying. I tried the pill again for about 2 months after I had my son and it made me an absolute nutcase so I quit taking it and we went back to "pull and pray." Hard to say if that was the reason we didn't get pregnant sooner because once we started trying for #2 it took over two years to get pregnant. We were about to give up when I got the positive result. Actually I had given up, but kept putting the effort into it because husband wanted it so badly. It was a HUGE shock to me when I found out I was pregnant, totally wasn't expecting it. It took me several weeks to get my head around it. Haha! Ok, I went a little off topic by the end, sorry 'bout that.

LIly436 · December 2015

Had two copper IUDs, everything was fine. Will tie my tubes after this one

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