I know it's awfully early to be planning birth control methods for after delivery, but after we found out we are having another boy and FI was kind of hoping for a daughter, the look on his face was a dead giveaway that he probably isn't going to want to go through with getting a vasectomy now. I don't really blame him, and I am not comfortable with the idea of tubal ligation yet but another baby too soon after this one is not in our cards so my questions are:
Which kind(s) of BC have you used before?
Was it Pill/Implant/Shot/IUD?
How would you describe your overall experience with it? Did you like it?
Pros/Cons:
Re: Birth Control after delivery
O16 April Siggy
Maybe not do that...
Also, it cured my acne. I had terribly painful cystic acne from age 16 to age 24, then after those three months of spotting (I assume the time it took for the low dose of hormones to really get into my system), my acne began to fade and now my skin is crystal clear.
After I had it removed last spring, my periods resumed immediately and were lighter and less painful than before I had the IUD. We were able to get pregnant after three months of trying, so it clearly didn't affect my fertility.
The only con I can think of was that implantation and removal were slightly painful (more uncomfortable than painful, really). Even so, I would highly recommend Mirena. For me, it was a fantastic, low maintenance form of BC.
ETA: Like the PP, I had lots of issues with BC pills. Yaz was the absolute worst. I was all kinds of messed up on that one. I had manic episodes and even thoughts of suicide. DH (BF at the time) and I almost broke up several times because I was such a crazy person. When I got off of it, I was depressed for a few months because I could see how insane I had been and I felt like a year of my life had been stolen. So yeah, be careful with BCPs!
Our Fur Babies: Karma and Abbey
I tried the mini pills and loved them, so I am thinking staying progesterone only, but maybe getting the implant so as not to worry about taking a pill at the exact same time every single day (no placebo week, only active pills). Anybody tried Nexplanon? Or any other progesterone-only options been used that you liked?
Me: 28 DH: 27
Also, not doing condoms (just doesn't feel the same!) or pull out (can't take the chance). Natural family planning I've tried and it worked but it's so high maintenance and my cycles are ridiculous and such a hassle to track. Like, 2 cycles a month. It's awful. The mini pills REALLY helped straighten me out btw!
I know some bc pills contain hormones that are not good while breastfeeding, and would guess some of the other options have the same problem. Condoms or the "mini pill" (just has some of the hormones) are the only bf safe options I know of.
Also, I can personally attest to the fact that breastfeeding will keep your period from coming back for a while but that does not mean you can't get pregnant!
I have struggled with depression my whole life and tried several different medications then finally when I switched doctors she thought to switch me to Beyaz for PMDD. It did help quite a bit and now that I'm not a teenager and can adult properly, taking a pill everyday is worth the benefits so I'll most likely go back to that.
BFP #1: 7/15/15, SB: 11/14/15
Rainbow baby DS born 9/29/16!!
BFP #3 3/26/18 | Due 12/3/18
<a href="http://lilypie.com/"><img src="http://lbdm.lilypie.com/IG9Xm5.png" width="200" height="80" border="0" alt="Lilypie Pregnancy tickers" /></a>
DS#2 due 25 April 2019
I'm terrible at remembering to take a daily medication, so I loved Mirena. We didn't have problems with the strings, either, but I can see how that could be a potential issue if they aren't short enough.
The insertion/removal is a weird/uncomfortable feeling, but it lasts for all of 1 second, for 5 years of protection, so it's totally worth it.
Mommy to Elizabeth (6/18/09), preemie at 34 weeks
Team Blue!
I would recommend the mini pill only if you BF (keep in mind that while you may PLAN to BF now, plans don't always work out!) and only if you set a daily timer on your phone to remind you to take your pill. Those newborn days are brutal and all kinds of everything will absolutely get forgotten.
I believe implanon (or nexplanon?) uses the same hormones as the mini pill. That would be my #1 choice, as you don't have to remember to take anything - and I'd rather have someone remove the implant from my forearm as opposed to having to make an office visit to remove it from my ute. Plus I've only heard about ten thousand horror stories about IUDs failing, shifting, doctors being unable to remove them in simple office visits, etc and I just don't want to deal with that shit.
Feeling REALLY excited that DH is getting snipped after this baby (however he has now changed vasectomy date from "a month or two after baby is born" to "maybe after she turns one." Ugh....).
I like the idea of the copper vs hormonal. I definitely need something that I don't have to remember to take. Nuvaring was fine for me but I don't think I want to even mess with that.
O16 April Siggy
Baby GIRL born 9/16/201
BFP! EDD 8/1/2019 CP 4w2d
Baby GIRL born 9/16/201
BFP! EDD 8/1/2019 CP 4w2d
Thanks!
BFP #2 - Feb 2, 2016 --EDD 10/10/16 --Abigail- October 6, 2016. Heart warrior- OHS at 7 months old
October 2017- Began fostering to adopt T, (DOB: November 19, 2013)
March 2021 - Bonus daughter, N, moved in with us (DOB: June 6, 2014)
BFP #3 - April 25, 2024 -- EDD December 31, 2024
Me: 32 & DH: 37
BFP #2: 2/8/16 - EDD 10/20/16
IT'S A BOY!!!!
DS Born 10/16/16
I'm guessing we'll wind up using a combination of FAM and condoms until we're ready to TTC again. I actually enjoy tracking my cycles so it doesn't feel like a burden to me, and if we slip up and wind up having #2 a little sooner than anticipated, so be it.
Married 7/15
BFP #2 2/18/16