Birth Control After Baby

highsteaks · July 2018

has anyone started to think about this yet? originally i wanted to start a thread about permanent birth control, but i think opening it up to all other forms (iuds, nfp, etc.) too would be interesting.

highsteaks · July 2018

i just asked my ob for details about getting a tubal ligation after childbirth. i am certain i am done having children after this pregnancy. also, my aunt passed away from ovarian cancer in her 50s several years ago (she cautioned me that it may run in our family genes before she passed) and apparently a tubal ligation can significantly decrease the risk of developing ovarian cancer.

if i end up with a c-section, the ob said i can have the procedure done at that time. if i deliver vaginally, i can have it done after the 6 week postnatal check up, laparoscopicly under general anesthesia. she said that private insurance usually covers it (but i will still obviously try to verify with them).

dh will also have a vasectomy, as he’s certain he’s done having kids too. he’ll likely have that done before the end of this pregnancy, as soon as he gets around to scheduling an appointment for it.

kinda scared about the perminance, even though i’m certain i’m done becoming pregnant, all future scenarios considered. i’m 31 if anyone was curious. happily, the ob was supportive.

jessielynn1 · July 2018

@highsteaks I just had the same conversation with my ob and got the same info, tubal can be done same time if I have a c-section or 6 weeks after vaginal birth. I’ve been trying to convince hubs to get snipped but he won’t budge. Either way I’ll have it done, this is baby number 4 I’m 31 and I’m done being pregnant after this guy is born.

serabjorn · July 2018

Great topic, @highsteaks. Hubby and I are undecided if we are done having children after this little one (this will be our first child). Hubby has actually (jokingly, or perhaps not so jokingly) suggested on many occasions to try again right away. Being my first time going through this process, I think that I am going to wait until he is born and reassess everything.

With that said, before trying for this little one I took oral contraceptives for 10 years straight, then was on the Mirena IUD for a little under 5 years, then went back to oral contraceptives for 2 years. I know you are looking into more permanent solutions, @highsteaks, but if you or others consider temporary at all, I do really prefer the IUD over having to remember to take a pill everyday. What gets tricky is seeing what insurance will cover.

Also, I have a general question: Does temporary birth control interfere at all with breastfeeding?

Thank you in advance!

middleschoolmommy · July 2018

Before this pregnancy, I was totally on board with having 3 or 4. However, I'm not sure if I want to be pregnant again. I'm considering going without birth control for the first 6 months to a year, and if I get pregnant then it was meant to be (I have PCOS and it has always taken a long time to get pregnant). DH is back and forth on getting snipped, but he is 6 years older than I am and approaching 40, which he said is his "cut off date". I think I might look into getting an IUD again. I had one when we were first married and going to college.

highsteaks · July 2018

@jessielynn1 i was kinda bummed to find out that they couldn’t do the procedure laparoscopicly right after vaginal birth while i was still numbed by the epidural. i read online that some obs can do that, and was hoping to avoid the extra hospital admission/general anesthesia bills.

@serabjorn that can be so tough to not be on the same page with your SO regarding future family planning. frankly, i am surprised dh came around at all to trying for a second kid; he was so firmly one and done for a long long time while i wasn’t certain one way or the other. at least i did know in my situation that i would be content to go with whatever he did ultimately want, which was a lot less stressful than having different expectations.

sorry, no certain knowledge about which birth control interferes with breastfeeding.

msb11182018 · July 2018

@serabjorn If you are wanting to take the pill and breastfeed your doctor will give you a certain type that has less hormones in it than a normal birth control pill. Once you stop breastfeeding you would need to let your doctor know so you could get the full-strength version or whatever other kind of birth control you'd want to use.

lachnessmomster · July 2018

@serabjorn I took the mini pill and safely breastfed DS for 20 months, only getting off of it to conceive this baby. Like @msb11182018 said, you will be totally fine to take a birth control with a lower dose of hormones and nurse. ETA: I will most likely do the same after this babe, because we will probably want at least one more.

CopperBoom86 · July 2018

Before my daughter, I had Mirena for 4 years and I LOVED it. Then, in between my daughter and this baby, we used NFP and it worked great. We didn't want anything long, or even semi-long term because we wanted to try for another pretty soon after her. We're not sure if we're completely done yet, but we are sure that we're done for at least a few years, so I'll probably get Mirena again after this baby. Then, when it's done and if we decide not to have anymore, H will be getting the snip snip.

jessielynn1 · July 2018

@highsteaks I’m in Canada so I don’t have to worry about the extra costs really, but I agree it would be nice to just get it all over and done with at the same time.

offtoneverland · July 2018

I got the Mirena IUD when I was 6 weeks postpartum and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I have really heavy, long periods and other types of birth control did not work for me at all. With the Mirena, I didn't have periods at all (except for really light ones for a day or two once I'd had it in for over 2 years) and it was the best thing ever. On regular hormonal BC my eczema flared up like crazy, on the mini pill, I had heavy periods every 2 weeks, and on the arm implant (Implanon) I bled constantly for almost a year.

I'm team Mirena and I'm never looking back! MH will probably get snipped in a couple of years, but we're pretty sure we'll be done at two kids. Even if MH gets snipped, I'll probably have the Mirena forever because it was glorious not having periods. It completely changed my quality of life due to my heavy periods.

To partially answer @serabjorn's question, the Mirena did not inhibit breastfeeding for me at all.

I promise I don't work for Mirena, haha.

goldie987 · July 2018

I got a Mirena after DD and plan to get one as soon and they'll allow after this one too because I absolutely loved it. I have absolutely awful periods without birth control of some form and I know early on I won't remember to take the minipill on time every day so IUDs were really the next best option. Plus I feel like I had less weird side effects from Mirena than oral BCPs. I highly recommend it for anyone thinking of it.

lifesabeach85 · July 2018

@serabjorn estrogen specifically will dry up your milk, so you can’t take a combo estrogen/progesterone pill while BF.

I was on hormonal bc for years before DD, I was generally happy with it. After she was born we just used condoms. TBH, the year I was BF (especially the first six months when I was also sleep deprived and overwhelmed) I had very little libido so abstinence was also a major factor!

We will go back to condoms (and probably a lot more abstinence) after this baby for a year and then see where we stand on future babies. DH would be happy to stop at 2, I’m not so sure.

When we are for sure done DH will have a vasectomy. He’d have one tomorrow if I was on board. One of our good couple friends, the husband just had one done (after #4) and the dr said he needed to ejaculate 30 times before the follow up and he recommended blowjobs! When DH heard that he was like “no more kids, two whole days of rest and 30 bjs, sign me up!”

pelorunningmama · July 2018

@lifesabeach85 holy smokes, 30? That’s a lot! DH will be keeping himself busy then because there is no way I am giving 30 bjs and it would take us a year to have sex that many times given my non-existent sex drive.

DH will be getting a vasectomy though. Hormones from BC have me migraines and I’m too scared to have that happen again to go back.

josie12367 · July 2018

I was on the mini pill for years because it was the only pill that didn't make me BSC....lol. It was nice, but the Paraguard IUD after my first was so much better. I loved not having to remember to take a pill and the fact that it doesn't involve any hormones, AND it lasts for up to 10 years.

When this DD turns a year old, DH has said he wants to get a vasectomy. At this point if we want more kids, we plan to adopt.

vicioustrollop · July 2018

abstinence

ginny_203 · July 2018

FWIW, I had a Paraguard IUD for several years since I wasn't able to take hormonal birth control due to blood clotting risk. I was very happy with it until I went in for my annual and my OBGYN mentioned that it was a bit crooked in me, meaning my protection wasn't 100%. That was scary for me, so I had it removed and I'm not sure if I'd consider getting one again.

middleschoolmommy · July 2018

@vicioustrollop

lol

lostarz14 · July 2018

I'm 38 and this is my 2nd and DH's 4th so we're done. He's for sure on board to get a vasectomy. I'm not sure if I'll have any sort of procedure done.

We've always just used condoms in the past.

emjohn517 · July 2018

I was on simple, generic bc for many years and never had any issues. I may go back on it simply bc my periods were so much easier and lighter on bc. But I’m not quite sure we are done just yet. We’ll have to see how labor and birth go. And if DD2 is the same kind of newborn that her sister was, ill def be done lol. But right now I’m open to a 3rd. Once I’m done ill likely get an iud.

runningyogimama · July 2018

I’ll go on th mini pill, assuming BF works out, and then regular BC pills eventually. I love the pill. I’ve heard too many horror stories of IUDs migrating, etc, so I’m good taking a pill every day, plus it clears up my skin and makes my period lighter. And I’m weird and like being in control every single month, haha.

mamachameleon · July 2018

Ive never been on any sort of birth control before so not sure what ill do. Always just used condoms. We want another, but i need a break from being pregnant. Lol

highsteaks · July 2018

@horsecrazy406mama i definitely count condoms as a form of birth control!

purelex · July 2018

Breastfeeding DD1 kept my period away for 9 months and we would have been happy to get pregnant soon after since we wanted them close in age so we skipped birth control. We aren't sure if we will go for 3 or not so this time, I will probably get one of the IUDs inserted. I had Mirena previously before kids and generally liked it but mannnnn it was painful when they put it in. I am hoping it won't be as bad after kids or if my doctor recommends one of the smaller ones they have now.

I took BC pills growing up (mostly due to acne and it being required because of other meds I was on) and I am terrible at remembering to take it. I did also use the Nuvaring for a while after college which I liked better but it tanked my sex drive and gave me really bad mood swings and probably contributed to some minor depression.

IUDs ftw!

cm716 · July 2018

I've pretty much been trying to get pregnant/pregnant/or newly postpartum for the last seven years with just a few months exception. (I'm pregnant with baby #4). When I first started using birth control, I used the pill for a year with no problem. I went on the minipill after baby #1 and noticed a significant drop in milk supply.

After baby#2 I used breastfeeding (we wanted 2&3 close together so I was cool if a pregnancy did happen). Exclusively bf worked as birth control for me but I know it doesn't for everyone.

After baby#3 my ob recommended a paraguard iud because she said both mirena and the minipill could interfere with bf as they both contain small amounts of hormones. I do have girlfriends who got a mirena and needed successfully though.

I HATED the paraguard, it made me bleed a TON. I'm 99% sure we're done after this baby but I'm not ready to take any permanent steps immediately. I will probably go back on the minipill after this babe if my milk tanks we may have to go back to condoms (boo) until I'm done nursing.

smulrich16 · July 2018

I've been off medical birth control for about 2 years. We've used the Creighton Model for natural family planning and we didn't conceive until we tried to conceive. I know I will have to be vigilant tracking my cycle as I know they will be irregular due to breastfeeding and general postpartum.

I feel like I get a lot of negative judgement as soon as I say natural family planning, but it worked for us and I plan to go back to that after the twins are born.

lurvleybunchococonuts · July 2018

I'm really up in the air about what I want to do after LO is here. I have PCOS so I don't ovulate regularly, had to take medication to ovulate (although now way in hell going rely on solely on that lol). MH is turning 40 this September so he says he's done having kids. Although he did mention something just a few days ago about trying for another after LO is here... I dunno if that was a joke or he was serious. I'm a little terrified to ask right now

I dunno how I feel about it yet. I've accepted already that LO will more likely than not be one and done for me, but I guess I wouldn't be opposed to having one more so I'm not ready to say go for it and tie my tubes or whatnot. It's really up to MH whether he wants to do a vasectomy (actually he had gotten a vasectomy after DSD was born but then never followed up with his doctor and found out it was ineffective) or what. Pre-TTGP I had the mirena IUD which worked fine for me. I had very few periods on it and they were light when I did, so that was a score. But now with the PCOS dx I dunno if I want to try a different form of BC or what... Pre-TTGP I had been on one form of BC or another since 18 so I've used the pill, the patch, the nuva ring, etc.

TL;DR: I'm rambling about BC and still unsure what I will do after LO gets here.

lifesabeach85 · July 2018

@lurvleybunchococonuts Sorry to get all up in YH junk (pun intended) but can you elaborate on what went wrong with the vasectomy?

highsteaks · July 2018

@lurvleybunchococonuts normally i’d say eh don’t think about it til you’re ready to think about it, but with your dh being older plus pcos complications, that puts the two of you on a shortened timeline to decide. i can see why he mentioned trying for another right away (jokingly or not). sorry to read and comment and not provide sage wisdom. just offering pats; that is definitely tough.

lurvleybunchococonuts · July 2018

@lifesabeach85 LMAO no worries. I dunno exactly what happened, his current doctor said I dunno... grew back presumably (honestly, I didn't ask for all the details regarding the initial procedure since it was a couple years before I met H). He had the procedure done but then never went for the follow up SA's to ensure it was effective (he's smart like that).

firsttimespartanmom · July 2018

@lurvleybunchococonuts in a similar situation. DH is 41, this is our first kid and I know I want more but he is hesitant. I was on the pill before and it was fine, I had to experiment with a few before I found one that worked, but I honestly have no idea what I want to do after baby and feel like we don’t have much time to decide. Try right away? Condoms? Pill again for a little bit and then try? I just don’t know!

lurvleybunchococonuts · July 2018

@highsteaks no worries on not having any "sage like wisdom" lol. One of these days I'll get around to having an actual discussion with H about if he truly wants to try for one more or not. If he does than yeah... it'd be better to do sooner rather than later. If he doesn't than I guess I'll decide at that time, probably whatever my OB recommends. I feel like I would be okay either way (one and done or if we tried for a 2nd).

@firsttimespartanmom too many decisions lol. GL! I hope we both are able to figure out what we're doing

middleschoolmommy · July 2018

After researching childcare costs, I'm thinking this will be my last baby after all and I'll get an iud asap. Jeez how do people afford kids?! Lol

highsteaks · July 2018

@middleschoolmommy for me, i think about the future cost of braces. at my dd’s 2.5 yr dental check-up, the dentist already brought up the timeline and cost of future braces (about $7-8 thousand dollars)

eahayes · July 2018

We did IVF with this and still have some genetically tested embryos that are frozen-- After 3 m/c due to egg health, I definitely do NOT want to get pregnant naturally before we are ready- so I'm happily going to do an IUD like Mirena.

offtoneverland · July 2018

smulrich16 said:

I've been off medical birth control for about 2 years. We've used the Creighton Model for natural family planning and we didn't conceive until we tried to conceive. I know I will have to be vigilant tracking my cycle as I know they will be irregular due to breastfeeding and general postpartum.

I feel like I get a lot of negative judgement as soon as I say natural family planning, but it worked for us and I plan to go back to that after the twins are born.

We used FAM for about 1.5 years (successfully!!!) because my body doesn't handle birth control well (see my post above). I know what you mean though...FAM/natural family planning has a pretty bad rap, I think mostly because a lot of people don't use it smartly and think their bodies will do the same thing month in and month out without allowing any time for mistakes. I've heard about the Creighton method and it sounds smart and legit!

mockingjay1 · July 2018

I hardly ever ovulate on my own due to PCOS, so I'm not terribly worried about getting pregnant on accident. I didn't get my period until I stopped breastfeeding DS (13 months). If we do any birth control it will be condoms. I hate hormonal BC, and we aren't sure yet if we are done. Once we decide we are, DH will have a vasectomy.

offtoneverland · July 2018

lurvleybunchococonuts said:

@lifesabeach85 LMAO no worries. I dunno exactly what happened, his current doctor said I dunno... grew back presumably (honestly, I didn't ask for all the details regarding the initial procedure since it was a couple years before I met H). He had the procedure done but then never went for the follow up SA's to ensure it was effective (he's smart like that).

He's definitely not the only one! My sister's husband got a vasectomy a few years ago and my sister said she heard from tons of people whose vasectomies "failed" but they never went in for the follow up test after the procedure to check to make sure it worked. I can't believe so many people think it's okay to skip that step! At least it worked out in your favor though.

iheartbooks · July 2018

I’m trying to convince my boyfriend to have a vasectomy... we are definitely done after this baby (which is our second). We were on the fence about having #2 and this baby was a surprise which is crazy because I have pcos and have had issues getting pregnant even with fertility treatments. I’m super happy that things worked out the way they did but I definitely don’t want a #3, so whatever we decide on needs to be super permanent! I’m the worst about remembering the pill anyway even though I like how it makes me periods regular/manageable. I’d totally get my tubes tied if I ended up with a c-section but most likely I’ll be delivering vaginally so that’s probably not going to be an option and I don’t want to have a separate procedure later.

Clobert · July 2018

I went on the mini pill last time and I’ll do that again.

MouseMama817 · July 2018

I took birth control in my early 20’s and my libido never full recovered so now the idea of it just really turns me off, pun not intended.
We’ll use condoms until we’re ready to try again. If we ever decide that we’re totally done having kids I suppose one of us will get a procedure.
After DD my midwife asked what kind of birth control I wanted and DH piped up with “She’s married, she doesn’t need birth control.”

I don’t know why but that cracks me up every time I think about it.

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