Birth Control

kitandcat · June 2016

Happy Monday Ladies!

I know there was a BC post a couple months back... But it's all kind of guesses about what we might do and it sounds like a lot of responses are pre-research. I would love to hear from those who have made a decision and have started their BC plan or have had your f/u appt and are trying to decide after talking to your doc?...

1) what form of BC are you using or what options are you trying to decide between?

2) what did your doc say at your follow up appt? What are the benefits and risks that you considered/are considering?

3) what other forms of BC did you consider but are not going with? Why not?

4) STMs - what was your experience with BC after your previous pregnancies?

My doc recommended a non estrogen pill, Depo, or IUD. He said options with estrogen are not ideal for BF moms as the estrogen can impact your milk supply - I had no idea! I'm not 100% but I'm leading toward the IUD Mirena. He said the non estrogen pill is only effective if taken at the EXACT same time everyday - which would just be me asking to get pregnant LOL. I was on Depo for almost a decade before having our LO, and I loved it but they say it can take 12-18 months for it to get out of your system. I stopped it a whole year before we tried to get pregnant so it doesn't seem like a logical choice if we want to start trying again in about 1.5 years. The IUD seems like a good choice, but I'm also so worried that something could go wrong and it could impact my fertility. I know the chances are slim but they're there and they worry me! I want more babies!! :-)

gamommyx3 · June 2016

Im going with Mirena too, or possibly Skyla...Skyla is designed to last less time & I plan to get it taken out once LO is a year old.

My doctor said Mirena will help regulate periods (unregulated, mine can be very unpleasant ) in addition to preventing pregnancy. He also said it takes a few minutes to remove & your fertility returns almost immediately.

I was on depo too but stopped for basically the same reason, it takes too long for fertility to come back. And the thought of remembering the pill when these days I sometimes forget to eat breakfast until 2pm....just no.

FWIW the small chance of complications worry me too, but I think the benefit outweighs the risk.

JoMunson · June 2016

1)what form of BC are you using or what options are you trying to decide between?
were using NFP, breast feeding, and condoms are mostly floating around as a theory right now.

2) what did your doc say at your follow up appt? What are the benefits and risks that you considered/are considering?
My midwife was really supportive. She let me know there are some factors you need to meet to use breastfeeding as birth control (no period, less than five hours between feedings, baby must be six months or younger, no supplementation) and that breast feeding still isn't totally effective so there is a "risk" of having two under one.

3) what other forms of BC did you consider but are not going with? Why not?
i didn't really consider any other forms of birth control. I got pregnant shortly after going off the mini pill (about a month) and that ended in a miscarriage so I don't want to be on hormone birth control again, ever (I do recognize the pill most likely did not cause my miscarriage). I also was on birth control for about six years so it seems like a good idea to let my body return to its natural rhythm.

KidShrink · June 2016

I'm on the mini-pill, although my OB was trying to push Lolo (a low dose estrogen and progestin)- however I opposed to it given the risk to my milk supply and the fact that I had major surgery after the birth of our son, increasing the risk for blood clots. I've been pretty good with the timing, but I am afraid of it not being sufficient as given my health concerns, it's best that I not get preggo again at least for a couple years. I'm therefore sort of considering an IUD. What are people's experience on them? I have severe endometriosis, so it's pretty important that I get the least amount of bleeding/periods possible, and so I am taking the pill continuously now. Not willing to take depo. I'll be talking with my RE (fertility doctor)over the next week or so, so I'll be getting his opinion on the whole thing.

gorgeousariel · June 2016

@Aquinna82 I was leaning towards Skyla as well but my midwife told me that Skyla is designed for women who have not had any children. The sizing of Mirena is for women who do.

gorgeousariel · June 2016

I decided to go with Mirena and am getting it placed tomorrow. I have previously been on the pill but I cant remember for the life of me to take it at the same time. I switched to Depo and used that for 4 years. I loved it beacuse it took my periods away completely. but i was becoming depressed on it so I stopped. Thinking it would take a year or so for my periods to return..(more like the very next month) After depo I went on nuvaring and liked that because it regulated my periods. When we decided to TTC I stopped the ring expecting my period to return immediately .this time I didnt get my period for 3mo. And had to go to Dr to get it jump started with progesterone.

baby-2-due · June 2016

1) I decided to go with ParaGard. It's the copper IUD and is good up to 10 years. It has no hormones so was my best option for BF.

2.) I had to see a NP as my doctor is booked until end of July. She said that I might have heavier periods when they come back and more cramping in the beginning. She said I healed well and should have no issues with and IUD.

3.) we talked about NFP, condoms and BF. My milk supply isn't keeping up with LO so I have had to supplement on occasion, SO doesn't want to risk NFP even though it worked well for almost 6 years for us. He hates condoms so the ParaGard seemed like my best choice.

cortney626 · June 2016

I got my tubes tied but before LO I used the Mirena and loved it. Had it for 4 years, never had a period, took it out to TTC and got pregnant 3 weeks later.

sjlw · June 2016

Getting Mirena next week! Used Nuva Ring for years, then Mirena for a year before getting pregnant. Really liked it, and am doing it again.

I'm EBF so didn't have many non-estrogen choices anyway.

RSaini · June 2016

I went with the Nuvaring because it is a slow releasing hormonal birth control and it's inserted vaginally for 21 days. Most practical one since remembering to take a pill will definitely not work for my mush mommy brain. I was on the pill about 4 years ago but I stopped since I hated taking a pill everyday. I am not breastfeeding so it was a good option.

sarawifenow · June 2016

I am doing plain old birth control pills. They are just the easiest for me. I don't like the idea of having something inserted into my body for extended periods of time.

MrsO11/24/2006 · June 2016

I used the paraguard after my second child and had it for a good 3 years but got pregnant on it...it ended in a miscarriage..I am not good on any hormonal meds so after three healthy kids..my hubby is getting snipped on weds!

Charla1224 · June 2016

I'm going with Mirena again. I loved it when I had it before. My periods stopped 4 months after it was placed and periods or birth control never crossed my mind for 3 years. Once we decided to try for LO I had it removed and was pregnant 4 months later.
Mum currently taking a lo estrogen pill and I'll be glad to give it up. I just can't be responsible for taking a med at the same time everyday. I struggle to remember my prenatal and I've been taking those daily for over a year.

gamommyx3 · June 2016

pooputtette said:

@Aquinna82 I was leaning towards Skyla as well but my midwife told me that Skyla is designed for women who have not had any children. The sizing of Mirena is for women who do.

Thanks, I hadn't realized this. I'm going tomorrow to have it placed. My doctor was pretty set on Mirena being the better choice anyway but both options were out there.

lalala2004 · June 2016

1) what form of BC are you using or what options are you trying to decide between?

Condoms and FAM (if and when my period comes back) <--- similar to NFP

2) what did your doc say at your follow up appt? What are the benefits and risks that you considered/are considering?

I didn't ask her opinion

I was on the pill before we TTC previously, but that's a no no for BF. No way I can take a pill at the same time every day consistently, and I don't wa t to mess with hormones right now.

3) what other forms of BC did you consider but are not going with? Why not?

I thought about the progesterone shot, but I decided I'd rather not mess with hormones right now. I may consider it again after another baby. We'll see.

4) STMs - what was your experience with BC after your previous pregnancies? N/A

AdorkablePixie · June 2016

I don't think I am going to go on BC. I know we want to start trying for another in about a year and because we had so much trouble getting pregnant in the first place we don't want to be on BC. I didn't ovulate or get periods previously and I have a feeling with working out again (when I can get back to it) we will have the same issue. If we get pregnant before a year, we will take it as a blessing and be very happy!

wsgjmw1 · June 2016

I am on NORA-BE the mini-pill (non-estrogen). My doc chose this one for me because I am exclusively pumping milk and it isn't supposed to effect your supply. I have been on it for 2 weeks now and haven't noticed a decline. So far so good.

Jparke2 · June 2016

I wont be going on any birth control, but will be tracking my ovulation still and using condoms most likely. I was on birth control pills like 7 years ago and hated it. I had a period everyday for months, it took away my sex drive, and I gained weight.

I tracked my ovulation for the year before trying to get pregnant and didn't use condoms, and that worked well. Once we decided to get pregnant, we were lucky to have no issues and it happened quickly. I think we'll use condoms for now just to be safe, as im definitely hoping to wait at least 3 or 4 years before getting pregnant again!

lionstigersbears · June 2016

1) what form of BC are you using or what options are you trying to decide between?

I will probably end up with Mirena.

2) what did your doc say at your follow up appt? What are the benefits and risks that you considered/are considering?

my midwife was really supportive of my choice because...(see #3)

3) what other forms of BC did you consider but are not going with? Why not?

I got my period back at six weeks after DS despite following all of the rules so I'm not counting on EBF even for the first six months. I'm a fan of tracking cycles (FAM/NFP type approach) with condoms when fertility is high, but I just can't trust myself to temp properly with such irregular sleep. I can't commit to the strict regimine of the mini pill. And it's not that DH won't use condoms but really we just can't be trusted to be responsible every single second--we both want to wait at least a year, probably closer to two, before we even consider another baby and need to make this bc choice based on what will actually work for us (aka not end up with 3 under 3).

4) STMs - what was your experience with BC after your previous pregnancies?

UGH. After DS I got the Paraguard because of no hormones/no fuss and just hoped I wouldn't have the side effects. Big fail for me. I could deal with the heavy periods but I never stopped bleeding. I spotted, bled, or had my period constantly for 7 months before I gave up and had it removed.

Why is there not some sort of internal sperm blocker we can have DH get jammed somewhere for a change?

That1didntcount · June 2016

Anyone have any experience with breastfeeding and mirena??

I have my annual in September and IUD placement scheduled for October. We have used condoms previously, but pretty sure we are done. EBF is my goal so just curious if it affected anyone's supply

That1didntcount · June 2016

lionstigersbears said:

Why is there not some sort of internal sperm blocker we can have DH get jammed somewhere for a change?

Like a clogged sperm duct!

kbrands7 · June 2016

That1didntcount said:

lionstigersbears said:

Why is there not some sort of internal sperm blocker we can have DH get jammed somewhere for a change?

Like a clogged sperm duct!

There is! It's called reversible vasectomy. They implant something in or alternately clamp the vas deferens. It's fairly new from what I understand, but DH and I are looking into it more to see if anyone performs it around us.

Eta: nothing is actually snipped on this variation unlike a traditional one. I'm thinking it may be expensive though, so we're prepared to use condoms again until we definitively decide whether or not we're stopping at 2.

KidShrink · June 2016

A reversible vasectomy is a very expensive option though, and not garanteed to work. My old receptionist's husband had a vasectomy after having had kids with his first wife. They paid I believe $6,000 to get it reversed, only to find out a year later it hadn't worked. So then in cost them $30,000 of IVF...

Bellodomani · June 2016

Condoms/ NFP for us, for now- every form of hormonal bc I've ever tried has made me throw up daily and lose weight- in retrospect not surprising since I've had hyperemesis with both pregnancies, clearly my body does not like messing with progesterone levels. Husband totally doesn't mind condoms, I prefer them for the no-mess factor as well. In the next year he will most likely get a vasectomy because as much as I want more kids, I really just can't go through pregnancy again.

and_peggy · June 2016

NFP here. I tracked my cycles and always knew exactly when I was going to ovulate. But if baby #2 happens, we'll be happy with it.

thismakes4 · June 2016

cortney626 said:

I got my tubes tied but before LO I used the Mirena and loved it. Had it for 4 years, never had a period, took it out to TTC and got pregnant 3 weeks later.

I used Mirena and got pregnant a year after putting it in....while I was still on it. My periods got worse though. Now after 4 children I'll be getting my tubes tied. How did you feel after getting it done? How was recovery?

slfezz · June 2016

I'm going to try the Mirena this time around. since I'm BF, my dr gave me the choice of mini pill, depo, or IUD. With three kids, I was worried about having to take a pill the same time every day since my schedule is all types of crazy so I said no to the pill. I had tried Depo in the past and it made me crazy and caused my hair to really thin out, so no to that. My Dr didn't mention anything about sizing for IUDs so it was just a matter of how long I wanted it to last.

I'm 99% sure that I'm done having kids at the point so before the the Mirena needs to be replaced, DH will be snipped.

folamij · June 2016

NFP for us here. I do not do well with bc; I had the Mirena once and it was a disaster.

gamommyx3 · June 2016

thismakes4 said:

cortney626 said:

I got my tubes tied but before LO I used the Mirena and loved it. Had it for 4 years, never had a period, took it out to TTC and got pregnant 3 weeks later.

I used Mirena and got pregnant a year after putting it in....while I was still on it. My periods got worse though. Now after 4 children I'll be getting my tubes tied. How did you feel after getting it done? How was recovery?

Stuck in a box.

Did you still have periods on it? How did you know you were pregnant? I'm concerned about this.

jenl1681 · June 2016

I did NFP before LO because I had a very regular cycle. How the heck do you do it if you haven't gotten a period? Is that even possible? I am so worried about getting pregnant again because I have no idea. After DS1 and DD I got a period right at 6 weeks, this time I haven't.

kbrands7 · June 2016

jenl1681 said:

I did NFP before LO because I had a very regular cycle. How the heck do you do it if you haven't gotten a period? Is that even possible? I am so worried about getting pregnant again because I have no idea. After DS1 and DD I got a period right at 6 weeks, this time I haven't.

This is my concern with using NFP. I didn't get a period until 9mo almost 10mo pp with DS1 and my cycles were a little odd initially. I couldn't temp accurately since I was breastfeeding through the night, so we relied on condoms. Condoms are our current go-to while we look into other non-hormone options. I'd rather do without them, but I'm also not looking to get pregnant at least until this baby is a year old, and possibly not at all.

thismakes4 · June 2016

Aquinna82 said:

thismakes4 said:

cortney626 said:

I got my tubes tied but before LO I used the Mirena and loved it. Had it for 4 years, never had a period, took it out to TTC and got pregnant 3 weeks later.

I used Mirena and got pregnant a year after putting it in....while I was still on it. My periods got worse though. Now after 4 children I'll be getting my tubes tied. How did you feel after getting it done? How was recovery?

Stuck in a box.

Did you still have periods on it? How did you know you were pregnant? I'm concerned about this.

Yeah I still had my monthly periods until I got pregnant. I only knew I was pregnant because I was so irritated and bitchy and I was talking to my brother telling him that I only act that way when I'm pregnant... and that's when I realized "oh shit, I'm pregnant".

I'm still concerned about getting my tubes tied and then getting pregnant again. I feel like I would be that small percentage who would get pregnant.

TXmamatobe · June 2016

I've started the pill again, specifically Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo. I actually feel better on it which is bizarre but eventually I'd like to stop taking hormonal BC and talk DH into a vasectomy when we are sure we are done.

JoMunson · June 2016

TXmamatobe said:

I've started the pill again, specifically Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo. I actually feel better on it which is bizarre but eventually I'd like to stop taking hormonal BC and talk DH into a vasectomy when we are sure we are done.

DH is gunna get a vasectomy when we're done. He says since I was "in charge" of our birth control for so long, once were done with kids he's happy to take that burden off me

saltedcaramel518 · June 2016

1) what form of BC are you using or what options are you trying to decide between?

We'll be using condoms and NFP. It worked for us for a year and a half before I got pregnant. Ever since I got off BC 2 years ago, I get pains whenever I ovoulate. It's helpful for NFP, but also not fun because it basically means period cramps x2 every month.

2) what did your doc say at your follow up appt? What are the benefits and risks that you considered/are considering?

She didn't really say much other that she didn't recommend I get pregnant within a year.

3) what other forms of BC did you consider but are not going with? Why not?

Didn't really consider anything else. I was on BC for 2.5 years, and never liked being on it. Condoms don't bother DH, so it seemed like our best alternative.

gorgeousariel · June 2016

@Aquinna82. I know you had your Mirena placed yesterday too. Did you yours hurt like a mofo? Getting everything ready to insert it gave me flashbacks of getting stitched.

kbrands7 · June 2016

@bshurdy Ah! I forgot about ovulation pains after having not had them for so long while pregnant. I never used to get them, but they started once my period came back after DS1. Like you said, at least it'll help with NFP.

lionstigersbears · June 2016

@bshurdy @kbrands7 I get them too! Just beware, that whole thing about sex up to 5 days before ovulation possibly resulting in pregnancy is legit. I always thought that seemed extreme. We weren't actively trying for #1 and were pleasantly surprised when I got pregnant!

ETA I know there are other rules to avoid pregnancy, just saying

we were open to a baby and playing with fire I suppose!

hellogoodbye2 · June 2016

1.) what form of BC are you using or what options are you trying to decide between? We will be using condoms for awhile until we decide if TTC for baby #3 is on the table.

2) what did your doc say at your follow up appt? What are the benefits and risks that you considered/are considering? Doc asked and I declined for now.

3) what other forms of BC did you consider but are not going with? Why not? I will never get on the pill again. I don't like how it messed up my cycles once I got off it.

4) STMs - what was your experience with BC after your previous pregnancies? After our first we did condoms and I charted my cycles. That worked out really well for us.

BCFiggins · June 2016

bshurdy said:

1) what form of BC are you using or what options are you trying to decide between?

We'll be using condoms and NFP. It worked for us for a year and a half before I got pregnant. Ever since I got off BC 2 years ago, I get pains whenever I ovoulate. It's helpful for NFP, but also not fun because it basically means period cramps x2 every month.

2) what did your doc say at your follow up appt? What are the benefits and risks that you considered/are considering?

She didn't really say much other that she didn't recommend I get pregnant within a year.

3) what other forms of BC did you consider but are not going with? Why not?

Didn't really consider anything else. I was on BC for 2.5 years, and never liked being on it. Condoms don't bother DH, so it seemed like our best alternative.

I totally have period cramps x2 as well! I didn't even think it could be marking the day I ovulate. *face palm* Thank you for saying this because we too do the NFP so that will be helpful to make a note of.

Also I got my period again yesterday and just hit 5 weeks pp today. That just seemed way too early to me! Especially since I'm EBF, feed every 2-3 hours and have only supplemented with a bottle 2-3 times in the past 5 weeks. Weird.

lionstigersbears · June 2016

@BCFiggins yeah some of us are just "lucky"..... Ha!

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