BC after Baby

mrstrax · March 2016

So I totally forgot to talk to my OB yesterday about long/er term BC options for after baby is here. We've only ever used the pill or condoms so I don't know much of anything about long term options. I'll talk to him next week (or at my follow up if I go before that!) but I figured I'd open up discussion here too.
Has anyone had experience with using the arm implant while breastfeeding? At what point did you get it placed? My mom and aunt both had negative reactions to the shot, so that's probably out; and IUD's honestly kinda freak me out.

imrachellea · March 2016

I just used the mini-pill at DD1. As long as you're consistent with it, it works just fine. I don't plan to go back on BC after baby. We had already (sort of) made that decision prior to this LO since I don't want to be putting any more artificial hormones in my body. It took me 3 months to get my period back after I stopped taking the mini-pill (that coupled with BFing and I didn't have a period for over a year after she was born...) so I don't want to have to worry about giving my body time to regulate again. We also plan to try for #3 in less than a year after this one (looking at an 18 month age gap this time around instead of 2+), so I just don't want my body to get any more out of whack than what it will with nursing. But until one of us were to get "permanently fixed" (*coughDHcough*) down the road, we'll be using condoms. Pretty darn reliable, no artificial hormones, doesn't mess with your body, and easy enough to start and stop as needed. We are looking at another 1 or 2 kids (depending on whether we would have a boy or not down the road lol).

wildtot · March 2016

I have a friend who has the arm implant (freaky looking in a way) but hasn't had any issues I know of. Although she wants to get it out I forgot why. I was going to ask my ob again tomorrow since I want to bf but had been on bc to keep my endo in check. I'm not into the IUD since my mom had issues with something similar in her day. I inherit so many things from her I don't want to risk it. I'm allergic to lube so no condoms for us. There is a "small pill" I've heard about but not sure about the details.

edited because I can't spell

shawnacrest · March 2016

Glad you brought this up, because I've been wondering the same thing. I've always used the shot because it's awesome to not have a period, but I got off of it because my doctor told me that I should stop using it because I had already been using it for four years and apparently it's bad to use it for that long. I'm terrible at remembering a pill every day

thaisac1 · March 2016

The silver lining of having been diagnosed with male AND female infertility is that we will never have to worry about contraception again.

(obviously, if I had a choice, I would pick contraception over infertility any day.... But I don't have a choice, so I'm just trying to have a 'glass is half full' view...).

cmjenkies · March 2016

I had Mirena for 4 years after DS with no real complaints, but I'm not sure what I'm going to do this time around. I'm not sure what is/is not BF friendly beyond the mini pill. I have had some weird reactions to artificial hormones too with pills in the past. I was considering copper IUD (Paraguard) maybe? Implant freaks me out!

[Deleted User] · March 2016

Prob going back on the pill... I enjoy only getting four periods a year. Plus it works like a charm and easy for me to remember as I take a probiotic every morning as well.

olivemomma · March 2016

We also used the mini pill. I know some contraceptive methods aren't as conducive to breastfeeding but I'm not sure what those are. We will probably do the mini pill again as the thought of something permanently inserted into my body creeps me out.

wildtot · March 2016

Is the mini pill the only one that can be taken while bfing? Just talking about pills.

CCLow87 · March 2016

Knottie2891384 said:

Is the mini pill the only one that can be taken while bfing? Just talking about pills.

It was when I had my son 7.5 years ago. The other ones can mess with your supply, I think. Clearly I don't have the up to date info though! lol

Jules08 · March 2016

I used the mini-pill after DS (this was before the contraceptive change) as it was safe to use while BFing. However, it causes me to have high blood pressure, so as soon as the contraceptive coverage change took place, I went in for the Mirena. I LOVED it and will be getting it again. I had mild cramping for 1-2 days after insertion and then very mild spotting for a few weeks (on and off). Then, IF I would get a period it was for an hour and I wouldn't need more than just a panty liner.

mrstrax · March 2016

Knottie2891384 said:

Is the mini pill the only one that can be taken while bfing? Just talking about pills.

Yup, my understanding Is nothing with estrogen, so you have to do the mini-pill. That's why we switched to condoms in between - you have to be much more strict with timing on the mini-pill and I didn't trust myself while sleep deprived

wildtot · March 2016

mrstrax said:

Knottie2891384 said:

Is the mini pill the only one that can be taken while bfing? Just talking about pills.

Yup, my understanding Is nothing with estrogen, so you have to do the mini-pill. That's why we switched to condoms in between - you have to be much more strict with timing on the mini-pill and I didn't trust myself while sleep deprived

Oh no estrogen then I might have to do that. Endo is estrogen dependent so that's good to know. Thanks!

mrstrax · March 2016

Knottie2891384 said:

mrstrax said:

Knottie2891384 said:

Is the mini pill the only one that can be taken while bfing? Just talking about pills.

Yup, my understanding Is nothing with estrogen, so you have to do the mini-pill. That's why we switched to condoms in between - you have to be much more strict with timing on the mini-pill and I didn't trust myself while sleep deprived

Oh no estrogen then I might have to do that. Endo is estrogen dependent so that's good to know. Thanks!

Definitely check with your OB - I think estrogen just has a risk of decreasing supply, so regulating endo would seem much more important; but I don't actually know that

AnnikaD20 · March 2016

I did really well with the mini-pill. If you already know you're ok on pills, it's a good bet. They usually recommend switching back to a regular pill when you quit breastfeeding.

RoseShadow873 · March 2016

Don't you have to go get the shot like every month or something? That sounds like a pain!

AmadorRose · March 2016

Nexplanon and IUDs are both ok with BFing. I had Paragard for 5 years and loved it. I'll probably have it again but they won't place it for 8 weeks after delivery. Both kinds are immediately effective. The nexplanon needs to have 2 weeks at least for the hormones to enter your system and be as effective as it says it is.

mrstrax · March 2016

AmadorRose said:

Nexplanon and IUDs are both ok with BFing. I had Paragard for 5 years and loved it. I'll probably have it again but they won't place it for 8 weeks after delivery. Both kinds are immediately effective. The nexplanon needs to have 2 weeks at least for the hormones to enter your system and be as effective as it says it is.

Thanks! That's exactly what I needed to know

mrstrax · March 2016

RoseShadow873 said:

Don't you have to go get the shot like every month or something? That sounds like a pain!

Every 3 months, but yeah.

TKaiser91 · March 2016

I was thinking of doing the mini pill until after I'm done BFing but after that I have no idea. Dh wants me to get my tubes tied because insurance covers it and also covers reversals, but I would rather not have surgery if we change our mind down the road and want another. Surgery scares me to much for that.

wildtot · March 2016

mrstrax said:

Knottie2891384 said:

mrstrax said:

Knottie2891384 said:

Is the mini pill the only one that can be taken while bfing? Just talking about pills.

Yup, my understanding Is nothing with estrogen, so you have to do the mini-pill. That's why we switched to condoms in between - you have to be much more strict with timing on the mini-pill and I didn't trust myself while sleep deprived

Oh no estrogen then I might have to do that. Endo is estrogen dependent so that's good to know. Thanks!

Definitely check with your OB - I think estrogen just has a risk of decreasing supply, so regulating endo would seem much more important; but I don't actually know that

Just to clarify endo worsens with estrogen...so low or no estrogen is good for me...that's what I meant

still good info to know.

Ready4theParty · March 2016

Just something to keep in mind is everyone's body is different breastfeeding or not. With DD I got my period back after 4 months even though I was EBF. We used condoms because I didn't want to do the mini pill which was really the only option 3 years ago.

This time around we are going to use condoms until we are done breastfeeding and then I plan on going on the ring until we decide if we are done or not.

brit&nate2010 · March 2016

Prob just condoms for us. We have only had planned pregnancies so they work for us

dh is getting a vasectomy in the winter. He would do it tomorrow if I said ok, I'm just not ready to make it permanent. We both know and agree this is the final piece to our family

CCLow87 · March 2016

TKaiser91 said:

I was thinking of doing the mini pill until after I'm done BFing but after that I have no idea. Dh wants me to get my tubes tied because insurance covers it and also covers reversals, but I would rather not have surgery if we change our mind down the road and want another. Surgery scares me to much for that.

That seems absurd to have your tubes tied if you envision possibly have then reversed, just because insurance covers it. I'm with you, they're surgeries.. Scary! I'd be telling DH no freaking way.

littleredx2 · March 2016

I've always taken the mini pill while breastfeeding but don't love it. I hate having to be so precise in when I take it and such. I go on Ortho Tricyclen Low when not breastfeeding and have always loved it, no weird side effects that I've noticed. This is our last though and both DH and I don't want to put anymore hormones into my body so we, or I should say DH, are taking the vasectomy route :-)

momofmanyinthemitten · March 2016

Natural family planning for us, but, quite frankly, we would be happy to get pregnant again...and again...and again. I am really not interested in messing around with any IUDs, pills, etc.

TKaiser91 · March 2016

CCLow87 said:

TKaiser91 said:

I was thinking of doing the mini pill until after I'm done BFing but after that I have no idea. Dh wants me to get my tubes tied because insurance covers it and also covers reversals, but I would rather not have surgery if we change our mind down the road and want another. Surgery scares me to much for that.

That seems absurd to have your tubes tied if you envision possibly have then reversed, just because insurance covers it. I'm with you, they're surgeries.. Scary! I'd be telling DH no freaking way.

That's what I told him! We are pretty sure that we're done after this LO so I sorta get where he's coming from. On the other hand you never know what may happen down the road. One of us could get baby fever and we decide to go for a third. While I doubt that will happen it's still a small possibility and I'd rather just wait a couple years to be sure. That way it's only one surgery instead of maybe two. He doesn't necessarily agree with me, but atleast he's respecting my decision on it. I joke with him that he's gonna be the one with baby fever to 3-4 years instead me lol

shawnacrest · March 2016

kielpinskim said:

Natural family planning for us, but, quite frankly, we would be happy to get pregnant again...and again...and again. I am really not interested in messing around with any IUDs, pills, etc.

I envy your positive attitude about pregnancy.. I told my fiancé if he wants another one, we can adopt. I'm thrilled about having this baby, but this whole pregnancy thing is not my cup of tea.

spicedice · March 2016

I used nexplanon while breastfeeding and plan on doing the IUD this time around, just because I'm tired of the implant removal process. Both are fine while breastfeeding and shouldn't give you issues with supply, but everyone reacts to hormones differently, so that's something to keep in mind.

RoseShadow873 · March 2016

I kind of wanted to use something other than condoms but I kind of like them because they make it easier to clean up and I get itching and burning when I don't use them.

spicedice · March 2016

RoseShadow873 said:

I kind of wanted to use something other than condoms but I kind of like them because they make it easier to clean up and I get itching and burning when I don't use them.

I highly recommend going to the bathroom right after and either drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry pills. I had similar issues when I first switched to an implant in 2011 and found some relief through those two methods. I only did the cranberry when TTC.

redselig · March 2016

I do natural family planning using an ovulation monitor. It's worked for five years and is best for women who have a fairly regular menstrual cycle.

ivyvines6 · March 2016

Yeah... Pull out has always been the plan for us. Unless I end up back on antidepressants because my primary usually doesn't prescribe AD's without BC. Way easier for the two of us because I'm horrible at following schedules, I've always gone slightly crazy from the hormones in BC, and I'm allergic to the lube most condoms have/and the powder others have. Also latex sensitive so that was a fun thing to find out about...

helleebellee · March 2016

I can't do BC because of my blood clotting disorder. So until the dh gets his vasectomy, it's charting and condoms for us.

redselig · March 2016

@Knottie9983816 Pull-out is what we also do during the 'red' days

spicedice · March 2016

@Knottie9983816 @redselig Those combined methods are what totally got me pregnant

We thought we were on a safe day so we got wasted and just didn't give a care, but I was actually ovulating 8 days later than usual. My body had geared up to ovulate at the right time but it didn't fall through. When I gear up, I have all of the signs of ovulation... So I didn't pay attention when the signs started showing again. I figured it was just my period coming really early or something.

We used LAM until I started the implant at 6 weeks PP (since we were crazy and started having sex again at 3 weeks PP).

Those two methods work as long as you have a regular cycle (breastfeeding may mess with that, just as a warning) and/or you pull out 100% of the time. Both methods have rather low rates of unplanned pregnancies as long as they are followed perfectly.

spicedice · March 2016

@Knottie9983816 Have you thought about Paraguard? No hormones and no worrying about taking pills.

Ready4theParty · March 2016

CCLow87 said:

TKaiser91 said:

I was thinking of doing the mini pill until after I'm done BFing but after that I have no idea. Dh wants me to get my tubes tied because insurance covers it and also covers reversals, but I would rather not have surgery if we change our mind down the road and want another. Surgery scares me to much for that.

That seems absurd to have your tubes tied if you envision possibly have then reversed, just because insurance covers it. I'm with you, they're surgeries.. Scary! I'd be telling DH no freaking way.

I did a lot of research on getting tubes tied a few months ago because we were considering being done after this one. Most reversals are only 40% effective so you may want to keep that in mind if you get your tubes tied. And depending on your insurance they may not cover 100% of the reversal. Mine covered the original surgery but they were only going to cover about 60% of a reversal after my deductible was met.

The Essure is supposed to have better reversals than the "original" process, but there are some issues with it's effectiveness.

fourtsixand2 · March 2016

Many years ago I got the shot and swore I would never, EVER, do that again. I had a terrible increase of discharge for at least 3 or 4 months after getting it.
I then went on Nuvaring and loved it. It's once a month and you don't have to think about it. I honestly never felt it and often forgot it was even there until I got my reminder to take it out and 'rest' for a week. My periods were always exactly on time with it.

ivyvines6 · March 2016

fbanke42 said:

@Knottie9983816 Have you thought about Paraguard? No hormones and no worrying about taking pills.

Haven't looked into that... But I pretty much made the declaration that we won't be having sex at all if he doesn't 100% commit to it, or unless he gets snipped. He is completely on board with PU so yeah... We also have the added benefit of me having a whacky body that doesn't ovulate every month, regardless of periods.

nikkinbonnie · March 2016

I had the Mirena IUD for 5 years before trying to get pregnant. Before that I was on the pill. DH and I agree this will be our only biological child so I told him it was his turn to be in charge of birth control. I decided I don't want to take hormones ever again. He was fine with it and will get a vasectomy after the birth.

With th that all said, I would say not to be freaked out by an IUD, it's definitely the best BC I've experienced.

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