I'm not sure what we're going to do. I was on BCP for nearly 15 years before going off to TTGP. I was really lucky that my cycle regulated right away and I had textbook 28 day cycles from the first month off. I'm a little nervous to go back on BCP and risk that not happening again when we decide to try for a second. I'll be 32 when this one is born and I'd like to be done by 35 if possible so I know that once we decide to try again, we're not gonna want to waste any time. Getting KU is so out of your control that I'd like to be able to control what I can and I'm not sure I'll be able to do that if my hormones are slave to the pill. I'm also not trying to jump back on the temping/charting train right away. It worked so well for me when TTC this LO but it seems like it would be a lot of work if TTA and while parenting a toddler. All of that said, I think we'll probably go for the pull out method and hope for the best.
Sorry for the novel.
Check out MIrena (IUD) and see if you like the idea. I had my first for the full 5 years and my second for only 3. With the IUD you ovulate the very next month so there's no delay and you can always remove early.
I've heard of women taking a year or more to regulate after Mirena... I'm just too nervous to do anything hormonal at this point. Although, I will say, I really miss my perfect BCP skin!
That shouldn't be the case and would more likely be an issue with their ovulation cycle being irregular than an issue because of the Mirena. I confirmed this when I first started IVF bc I didn't want to go through all the early steps of IVF with it in and then have to wait for transfer and suchj just because I wasn't ovulating.
It actually says on mirenas website that 8 out of 10 women are able to conceive within the first year of removal. I've heard of a lot of people taking varying amounts of time to become regular. I have always been a 28 day, on time every time girl, and it took me 4 months to regulate, while others take longer and some are immediate.
I'm not sure what we're going to do. I was on BCP for nearly 15 years before going off to TTGP. I was really lucky that my cycle regulated right away and I had textbook 28 day cycles from the first month off. I'm a little nervous to go back on BCP and risk that not happening again when we decide to try for a second. I'll be 32 when this one is born and I'd like to be done by 35 if possible so I know that once we decide to try again, we're not gonna want to waste any time. Getting KU is so out of your control that I'd like to be able to control what I can and I'm not sure I'll be able to do that if my hormones are slave to the pill. I'm also not trying to jump back on the temping/charting train right away. It worked so well for me when TTC this LO but it seems like it would be a lot of work if TTA and while parenting a toddler. All of that said, I think we'll probably go for the pull out method and hope for the best.
Sorry for the novel.
Check out MIrena (IUD) and see if you like the idea. I had my first for the full 5 years and my second for only 3. With the IUD you ovulate the very next month so there's no delay and you can always remove early.
I've heard of women taking a year or more to regulate after Mirena... I'm just too nervous to do anything hormonal at this point. Although, I will say, I really miss my perfect BCP skin!
That shouldn't be the case and would more likely be an issue with their ovulation cycle being irregular than an issue because of the Mirena. I confirmed this when I first started IVF bc I didn't want to go through all the early steps of IVF with it in and then have to wait for transfer and suchj just because I wasn't ovulating.
It actually says on mirenas website that 8 out of 10 women are able to conceive within the first year of removal. I've heard of a lot of people taking varying amounts of time to become regular. I have always been a 28 day, on time every time girl, and it took me 4 months to regulate, while others take longer and some are immediate.
interesting... not what my doctor told me at all. I'd have been PISSED if that had happened to me, tbh. B/c I wanted to take my IUD out early just in case I didn't ovulate right after and my MD assured me that wouldn't happen. Thankfully, he was correct.
1). What do you plan to do for baby prevention after your current bundle gets here?
Nexaplon is our plan.
2). What did you use in the past? I had the nexaplon for 5 years before Ttc. Absolitely loveed it.
3). Did you like what you used before or did it morph you into a hormonal raging twatwaffle? Explain. I absolutely loved my Nexaplon. I had about 3 cycles a year. No side effects.
1). What do you plan to do for baby prevention after your current bundle gets here? We are also planning to try for our second, probably when this guy is about 1 year old so I don't want to mess with getting my body into the hormones and all that of birth control. We'll be VERY CAREFULLY planning on timing, breastfeeding and all that. Once we are DONE having kids, DH is getting snipped... actually that was his idea and recommendation so that I don't have to take birth control.
2). What did you use in the past? I've used the Nuva Ring, Ortho Trycyclen Lo and Beyaz
3). Did you like what you used before or did it morph you into a hormonal raging twatwaffle? Explain. I get migraines and I have PMDD (pre menstrual dysphoric disorder). I was originally put on Ortho Trycyclen Lo for the migraines, but it was so long ago I can't remember if I liked it or not, just that I was a teenager and could never remember to take it. SO they put me on NuvaRing. I loved it! However, it really didn't help with my raging hormones, so the doctor switched me to Beyaz because it's one of the only ones that have been proven to help with PMDD. It worked really well and I'll probably go back for a bit after our second before deciding whether or not we're done.
Before DS I was on the pill, but that's not recommended while bfing. We used condoms for a while after DS1, but just not a fan. Switched to natural planning, which didn't work because I was still bfing and my cycle wasn't consistent again yet (surprise- twins!). Not quite sure what we'll do long-term next, but we'll start with condoms again.
1). What do you plan to do for baby prevention after your current bundle gets here? I want to go back on Mirena asap.
2). What did you use in the past? Before DD I was on the patch. My OB didn't warn me the hormones could mess with my milk supply (it was cut in half!) so after I did some research I called the office and had my Mirena put in (it was that or the mini-pill, but I'm TERRIBLE at taking a daily med, so I didn't want to risk it). My milk never really recovered though and I had to start supplementing much earlier than I would have liked.
3). Did you like what you used before or did it morph you into a hormonal raging twatwaffle? Explain. I loved Mirena. Never made me feel crazy or anything. Some mild cramping and spotting after it was first inserted, but after about a year my periods completely disappeared. I loved it.
Countdown to Baby H! Mommy to Elizabeth (6/18/09), preemie at 34 weeks
I had to have a tubal before IVF. I don't recommend having that procedure done at all. my periods are horrific now. HORRIFIC.
I'm so sorry. Me and my brothers are far enough apart for me to remember my mom having one after my youngest brother was born. She said the same thing. If she had known, she never would've done it. She's gone through menopause now but they stayed that way until then.
Before DS I was on the pill, but that's not recommended while bfing. We used condoms for a while after DS1, but just not a fan. Switched to natural planning, which didn't work because I was still bfing and my cycle wasn't consistent again yet (surprise- twins!). Not quite sure what we'll do long-term next, but we'll start with condoms again.
After DS they gave me a script for the mini pill but H didn't want me to take it b/c my sex drive was so much better off birth control. So we did a combo of condoms/BFing/NFP and yeah....wouldn't recommend NFP while breastfeeding AT ALL if you are truly done having babies. I was even using OPKs. Hence this thread! So if I get mirena or nexplanon and my sex drive takes a hit, H will just have to go get his V.
Seems like there's a few people who use NFP to avoid pregnancy. Anybody know of resources for how things change post-partum?
I think it might be different for every woman. After DD, I got my first period back 12 weeks postpartum, which was 2 weeks after I stopped breastfeeding. So obviously you still have to be careful while breastfeeding and should probably use condoms and/or pull out. But right after I got mine, it was back to the completely regular, every 28 day cycle.
@jennielu - as above, I would def NOT recommend NFP if you are BFing, slightly irregular in your cycle (even by a day or 2), or 100% certain you are not ready to be KU again. We had only just decided that we may want another baby *someday* and poof. I was still pumping but my cycles were regular! 33 days! And then I ovulated 11 days early. Miracle baby
AFM: Trying to decide between mirena and nexplanon still. I have heard so many good things about Mirena: fewer/lighter periods, low side effect profile, better skin! And only a few horror stories: I've known a couple women say their removal process in office failed, and they had to go under sedation for removal. I have also read in the literature that risk for uterine infection when mirena is placed postpartum is greater. And anecdotal stuff about BV and yeast infection.
Nexplanon seems like my favorite option- I don't like messing around with the vag area if I can help it. However with nexplanon, I've read multiple anecdotal accounts where women have said that it made them extremely moody. Also that some women just bleed constantly- lightly but daily. And the removal process seems sucky.
I used Junel combo BCP before and was great on it (except apparently my sex drive was less). No other problems. I would really just like for H to get snipped and not worry about birth control at all, but after this little surprise I'm not taking chances.
Sorry for the novel and thanks for all your responses! (Glad to see no one chose abstinence )
@nlane0723 - I have a friend who has horrific endometriosis and is basically infertile because of it, and they placed a mirena in order to reduce her period symptoms- is that something you could bring up with your OB postpartum?
1). What do you plan to do for baby prevention after your current bundle gets here? Will be getting another MIrena IUD
2). What did you use in the past? Pills in the past, then most recently Mirena IUD for 5 years, had that removed last October and used condoms until we were ready to start TTC.
3). Did you like what you used before or did it morph you into a hormonal raging twatwaffle? Explain. I found out during college that I cannot use combination pills due to them causing terrible migraines, and putting me at increased risk for stroke (I briefly took Yaz, and like others have said, it made me a crazy person). I hated progesterone only pills. I loved my Mirena, even though getting it put it was pretty awful (I passed out). After the first few months I pretty much stopped having periods at all, and the few times I would get one it was super light (all I needed was a panty liner) and only lasted for about 2 days. My cycle returned to normal within 2 weeks of having my Mirena removed, and I had a perfect 28 day cycle until I got pregnant. I will say my cycle was always very regular before Mirena though, so everything just went right back to normal. We were extremely lucky and got pregnant on the first month trying, so for me Mirena in no way impacted my ability to get pregnant.
I was going to be clever and say my birth control is my wife.... But I might actually try a form of it out after the babes are here. My periods before them were all over the place because of PCOS and so were my moods and everything else. I'll be following this!
1). What do you plan to do for baby prevention after your current bundle gets here? IUD, most likely Skyla. If I end up with c-section, I'd want a tubal ligation, but if not, I'd rather avoid major surgery 2). What did you use in the past? We used condoms for awhile and switched to pull and pray method. It worked for years, but that's how I ended up preggo this time. 3). Did you like what you used before or did it morph you into a hormonal raging twatwaffle? Explain. I have no experience with the pill other than a brief time I took the mini pill. I hope I only have minimal reactions to the IUD.
@NoraAurora- I'd venture to say your chance of needing full sedation for IUD removal would be close to that of needing it for the implant. That's what they had to do to remove the implant in the I Am Jazz episode I referenced and I thought that was common. But I'd definitely double check that if it's something that ends up really mattering to you. Removal wasn't bad for me at all.
1). What do you plan to do for baby prevention after your current bundle gets here? DH wants to use condoms, as my sex drive is much better without hormones. I was considering the IUD.
2). What did you use in the past? Pill, shot, implanon, condoms
3). Did you like what you used before or did it morph you into a hormonal raging twatwaffle? Explain. First I'll start with I never got pregnant until we were trying, but I was very cautious (used condoms for a week if I missed a pill or if on antibiotics would see how long to use condoms and go a few days longer than recommended) Pill- Never any major problems. At first I would forget sometimes, then I set a reminder on my phone and took it every mooring.
Implanon- This was the arm implant I had. I had it for 2 out of the 3 years I could have had it. I had it removed early because of lack of sex drive. The removal wasn't bad. I was more nervous than I needed to be. It was 2 numbing injections and a little 1cm cut and it was removed. I don't remember if he used stitches or butterfly stitches. It really wasn't bad.
Depo Shot- I did this for 3 years when I was younger. I loved it. Never gained weight. Didn't effect my sex drive. (This may have been because I was much younger?) The reason I switched from it was because it can effect your bone density with long term use. Now it's just inconvenient to get to the Dr every 3 months. I was told that I could give myself the injection if I wanted to and not go in for an appointment as well.
TTC #1 since August 2015 BFP #1 January 28, 2016
EDD October 3, 2016 Felicity Joy, born September 2, 2016 My Chart
TTC #2 Since August 2020 BFP #2 September 11, 2020 EDD May 23, 2021
I love love loved my IUD! My period went away and I never had to worry about taking a pill. It was the best. No negative side effects at all and it wasn't too bad to get put in. Taking it out was less annoying than a pap.
We TTC for a year and every period I would whine about getting my IUD back
1). What do you plan to do for baby prevention after your current bundle gets here? condoms and temping. I'm so over hormonal birth control
2). What did you use in the past? hormonal birth control/BCPs
3). Did you like what you used before or did it morph you into a hormonal raging twatwaffle? Explain. it just wasn't as necessary as I thought it was. Annoying to remember to take, and then I'd freak out if I missed a pill. I guess the only thing I'll 100% miss is know exactly when I'll get my period, but with charting, I figured that out pretty easily too
1). What do you plan to do for baby prevention after your current bundle gets here?
I am hoping my husband will agree to a vasectomy. We don't plan on having any more children after this one- and I can't imagine having 2 kids and going through what I am with this pregnancy. There is also the small chance I could end up losing my uterus- so there is that.
2). What did you use in the past?
I've been on and off the pill for years. The only major side effect was my blood pressure would rise.
3). Did you like what you used before or did it morph you into a hormonal raging twatwaffle? Explain.
The pill doesn't bother me and in all likely hood I will go back on it. I have huge fears over an IUD and have no interest in getting one.
Love love love my mirena IUD! Had it for 5 years before DS, got it after DS and will get a new one after this kiddo comes. The hormones are very mild in my system, I basically stopped having periods with it after DS, and it didn't cause me to gain weight. Super mega bonus points, it was breastfeeding compatible for me.
1). What do you plan to do for baby prevention after your current bundle gets here? Probably nothing... pull out method/NFP/fingers crossed/breastfeeding. Maybe the pill but I'm really hesitant. No IUD.
2). What did you use in the past? I was on the pill before DS. After he was born, I went back on the pill for a month but because I was still breastfeeding I was wary of taking it. I stopped taking it, and didn't actually get my period until 6 months PP. After it started, my period was everywhere -- 4 to 7 weeks apart. When it came for trying for baby #2, we started tracking my ovulation. And I say "started" but honestly we tracked it one month and got a hole in one while I was still breastfeeding.
3). Did you like what you used before or did it morph you into a hormonal raging twatwaffle? Explain. It was so long ago (I stopped at the end of 2013) but I think I was OK. We can ask my H but he may plead the 5th.
Married to DH for 6 years (together for 16) DS born 12.13.14 DD born 10.15.16 BFP 1.24.18, MC 3.13.18 BFP 4.25.19, EDD 12.31.19
Re: TTMA postpartum birth control
1). What do you plan to do for baby prevention after your current bundle gets here?
Nexaplon is our plan.
2). What did you use in the past?
I had the nexaplon for 5 years before Ttc. Absolitely loveed it.
3). Did you like what you used before or did it morph you into a hormonal raging twatwaffle? Explain.
I absolutely loved my Nexaplon. I had about 3 cycles a year. No side effects.
2). What did you use in the past? I've used the Nuva Ring, Ortho Trycyclen Lo and Beyaz
3). Did you like what you used before or did it morph you into a hormonal raging twatwaffle? Explain. I get migraines and I have PMDD (pre menstrual dysphoric disorder). I was originally put on Ortho Trycyclen Lo for the migraines, but it was so long ago I can't remember if I liked it or not, just that I was a teenager and could never remember to take it. SO they put me on NuvaRing. I loved it! However, it really didn't help with my raging hormones, so the doctor switched me to Beyaz because it's one of the only ones that have been proven to help with PMDD. It worked really well and I'll probably go back for a bit after our second before deciding whether or not we're done.
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
Me: 28 DH: 27
I want to go back on Mirena asap.
2). What did you use in the past?
Before DD I was on the patch. My OB didn't warn me the hormones could mess with my milk supply (it was cut in half!) so after I did some research I called the office and had my Mirena put in (it was that or the mini-pill, but I'm TERRIBLE at taking a daily med, so I didn't want to risk it). My milk never really recovered though and I had to start supplementing much earlier than I would have liked.
3). Did you like what you used before or did it morph you into a hormonal raging twatwaffle? Explain.
I loved Mirena. Never made me feel crazy or anything. Some mild cramping and spotting after it was first inserted, but after about a year my periods completely disappeared. I loved it.
Mommy to Elizabeth (6/18/09), preemie at 34 weeks
Team Blue!
@jennielu - as above, I would def NOT recommend NFP if you are BFing, slightly irregular in your cycle (even by a day or 2), or 100% certain you are not ready to be KU again. We had only just decided that we may want another baby *someday* and poof. I was still pumping but my cycles were regular! 33 days! And then I ovulated 11 days early. Miracle baby
AFM: Trying to decide between mirena and nexplanon still. I have heard so many good things about Mirena: fewer/lighter periods, low side effect profile, better skin! And only a few horror stories: I've known a couple women say their removal process in office failed, and they had to go under sedation for removal. I have also read in the literature that risk for uterine infection when mirena is placed postpartum is greater. And anecdotal stuff about BV and yeast infection.
Nexplanon seems like my favorite option- I don't like messing around with the vag area if I can help it. However with nexplanon, I've read multiple anecdotal accounts where women have said that it made them extremely moody. Also that some women just bleed constantly- lightly but daily. And the removal process seems sucky.
I used Junel combo BCP before and was great on it (except apparently my sex drive was less). No other problems. I would really just like for H to get snipped and not worry about birth control at all, but after this little surprise I'm not taking chances.
Sorry for the novel and thanks for all your responses! (Glad to see no one chose abstinence
2). What did you use in the past? Pills in the past, then most recently Mirena IUD for 5 years, had that removed last October and used condoms until we were ready to start TTC.
3). Did you like what you used before or did it morph you into a hormonal raging twatwaffle? Explain. I found out during college that I cannot use combination pills due to them causing terrible migraines, and putting me at increased risk for stroke (I briefly took Yaz, and like others have said, it made me a crazy person). I hated progesterone only pills. I loved my Mirena, even though getting it put it was pretty awful (I passed out). After the first few months I pretty much stopped having periods at all, and the few times I would get one it was super light (all I needed was a panty liner) and only lasted for about 2 days. My cycle returned to normal within 2 weeks of having my Mirena removed, and I had a perfect 28 day cycle until I got pregnant. I will say my cycle was always very regular before Mirena though, so everything just went right back to normal. We were extremely lucky and got pregnant on the first month trying, so for me Mirena in no way impacted my ability to get pregnant.
IUD, most likely Skyla. If I end up with c-section, I'd want a tubal ligation, but if not, I'd rather avoid major surgery
2). What did you use in the past?
We used condoms for awhile and switched to pull and pray method. It worked for years, but that's how I ended up preggo this time.
3). Did you like what you used before or did it morph you into a hormonal raging twatwaffle? Explain. I have no experience with the pill other than a brief time I took the mini pill. I hope I only have minimal reactions to the IUD.
DH wants to use condoms, as my sex drive is much better without hormones. I was considering the IUD.
2). What did you use in the past?
Pill, shot, implanon, condoms
3). Did you like what you used before or did it morph you into a hormonal raging twatwaffle? Explain.
First I'll start with I never got pregnant until we were trying, but I was very cautious (used condoms for a week if I missed a pill or if on antibiotics would see how long to use condoms and go a few days longer than recommended)
Pill- Never any major problems. At first I would forget sometimes, then I set a reminder on my phone and took it every mooring.
Implanon- This was the arm implant I had. I had it for 2 out of the 3 years I could have had it. I had it removed early because of lack of sex drive. The removal wasn't bad. I was more nervous than I needed to be. It was 2 numbing injections and a little 1cm cut and it was removed. I don't remember if he used stitches or butterfly stitches. It really wasn't bad.
Depo Shot- I did this for 3 years when I was younger. I loved it. Never gained weight. Didn't effect my sex drive. (This may have been because I was much younger?) The reason I switched from it was because it can effect your bone density with long term use. Now it's just inconvenient to get to the Dr every 3 months. I was told that I could give myself the injection if I wanted to and not go in for an appointment as well.
BFP #1 January 28, 2016
Felicity Joy, born September 2, 2016
My Chart
BFP #2 September 11, 2020
EDD May 23, 2021
We TTC for a year and every period I would whine about getting my IUD back
2). What did you use in the past? hormonal birth control/BCPs
3). Did you like what you used before or did it morph you into a hormonal raging twatwaffle? Explain. it just wasn't as necessary as I thought it was. Annoying to remember to take, and then I'd freak out if I missed a pill. I guess the only thing I'll 100% miss is know exactly when I'll get my period, but with charting, I figured that out pretty easily too
TTC #1 - Nov '14
DS born 10/18
1). What do you plan to do for baby prevention after your current bundle gets here?
I am hoping my husband will agree to a vasectomy. We don't plan on having any more children after this one- and I can't imagine having 2 kids and going through what I am with this pregnancy. There is also the small chance I could end up losing my uterus- so there is that.
2). What did you use in the past?
I've been on and off the pill for years. The only major side effect was my blood pressure would rise.
3). Did you like what you used before or did it morph you into a hormonal raging twatwaffle? Explain.
The pill doesn't bother me and in all likely hood I will go back on it. I have huge fears over an IUD and have no interest in getting one.
Probably nothing... pull out method/NFP/fingers crossed/breastfeeding. Maybe the pill but I'm really hesitant. No IUD.
2). What did you use in the past? I was on the pill before DS. After he was born, I went back on the pill for a month but because I was still breastfeeding I was wary of taking it. I stopped taking it, and didn't actually get my period until 6 months PP. After it started, my period was everywhere -- 4 to 7 weeks apart. When it came for trying for baby #2, we started tracking my ovulation. And I say "started" but honestly we tracked it one month and got a hole in one while I was still breastfeeding.
3). Did you like what you used before or did it morph you into a hormonal raging twatwaffle? Explain. It was so long ago (I stopped at the end of 2013) but I think I was OK. We can ask my H but he may plead the 5th.
Married to DH for 6 years (together for 16)
DS born 12.13.14
DD born 10.15.16
BFP 1.24.18, MC 3.13.18