Any Suggestions for Birth Control?

I had a baby in April and had the Mirena put in 6 weeks after her birth. It is awesome! No pills to remember. I had spotting for two months and now I barely have a period. My doctor said to have it inserted soon after giving birth to minimize discomfort since everything is stretched out anyway. I promise that having that inserted takes all of thirty seconds and you may or may not have cramping afterwards. My cramping felt exactly like menstrual cramps for two days. Since then, I have had no discomfort. I have tried every method and this by far is the best for me. Then, when you are ready to start trying to have another baby, simply have it removed and you are immediately ready. Good luck!

I am loving the Nuva ring... Works Like the pill but seems to give me less side effects. Good luck.

I liked the Nuva Ring.

Make sure you go with something that won't mess up your milk supply. Nuva-ring, for instance, is not compatible with nursing because it has estrogen. Any type of hormonal birth control *can* affect the milk supply, but estrogen particularly. Low-dose progestin-only methods (whether you take as a pill or implant or whatever) are less likely to cause problems with milk supply. See:
http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/birthcontrol.html

I know you said you didn't want to try a new pill, but I'd recommend the low-dose pill-- it's a progestin-only pill (also known as a POP) that is safe to use during breastfeeding. I used it for over a year while nursing, and I liked it so much, I continued using it once I stopped nursing. I know that breakthrough bleeding can be an issue with it, but I've had the opposite-- no bleeding at all! I asked my Dr. about this, and he said it was up to me-- if I really wanted a monthly period, I could switch to a traditional pill, or I could stay on the low-dose one, and I've stuck with the low dose. I've had no side effects at all, and I've really been happy with it. Just a suggestion! =)

I started out on Depo Provera, which is compatible with breastfeeding. I hated it though, made it very difficult to lose the weight, and I was tired all the time. I stopped when my DS was 8 months old. There's also options that don't use hormones at all, although they require a little effort and education on your part. Basal Body temperatures and natural family planning can be very effective, even while breastfeeding. YOu just have to make sure you fully understand the physiology of it all. Also, breastfeeding itself can be birth control, but there are rules to follow (bf on demand, no pacifiers, etc.) to make sure it works. You can google LAM (Lactational Ammenoreah method) to find someone who knows how it's done. Then there's always barrier methods too, which was our choice since I did not want to be on hormones or implants. Condoms, diaphragms, etc are all very effective. Plus, once you're ready to get pregnant again, there's no lag time to allow the hormones to clear your system and let everything get back to normal. Good luck!

I an getting my second mirena in a couple of weeks. had the current one for 5 yrs and loved it. no period low horimones. it can be a painful insert , mine was not, I think that depends on the dr.

I would not recommend the Mirena simply because it does release hormones. I cannot use birth control with hormones. I have tried different pills, the Nuva Ring and in August finally settled on the Paraguard IUD which is hormone free. The insertion of my IUD was not painful at all. The doctor recommended that I take some ibuprofen before the insertion which I did. It took less than 5 minutes from start to finish. I had some spotting for a couple of weeks. The first few periods I've had have been very heavy but that is starting to taper off. I love the convenience of the IUD, it can stay in place for 10 years, no hormonal effects and NO CONDOMS! I highly recommend the Paraguard.

I am using "micronor" and quite like it. It is a pill so i'm not sure if this helps you! I am breastfeeding as well.

While breastfeeding I used NORA BE. It's a generic pill and I can't remember the name brand now. Your doc would know what it is.
It is safe to use while breastfeeding and I never had any problems with it.
When I stopped breastfeeding I began using Nuvaring and really like it but my doc said it's not safe to use while breastfeeding.

I had Mirena for about 4 years and absolutely loved it. I believe if it is inserted properly you shouldn't experience extreme pain. It is a little uncomfortable after the first day but you can combat that with taking Motrin or an Ibuprofen before insertion. I rarely had a cycle. Sometimes I would have a little spotting, but nothing I couldn't handle. I liked it because I am forgetful so pills didn't work for me...hence my 9 y.o. son. When we were ready to have another baby, we had it removed and now we have a beautiful 2 y.o. I felt like it was a great decision and has recommended it to many others. Wish you the best!!!

I would second the recommendation for natural family planning/fertility awareness method. My husband and I have been successfully using it since the birth of our daughter in May 2008. I have been charting my cycles, and I love knowing what is going on with my body and not having to be on hormonal birth control. I always hated the pill--it made me so moody. The only downside to it, is it's a little more complex to do when you are breastfeeding, as you're probably not having normal cycles yet. But it's definitely workable. My husband and I use condomns when I am in my fertile window.

I would highly recommend the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility." It explains the fertilty awareness method (FAM), and has great information about how to use it for birth control and how to use it for conception (at the point where you decide you want to have another baby.) There is a section in the book about using FAM as birth control when you are breastfeeding.

Another great thing about FAM: Other than the one-time cost of a thermometer, (and condoms if you choose to use them during your fertile window rather than abstaining), it's FREE! I chart my cycles on www.fertilityfriend.com, and you can sign up for a free account on that website.

Good luck to you!

Talk to your doctor about the "mini pill." Like it sounds, it's less potent than what you used to use, since you don't need as much protection when breastfeeding (but you still need some!). Also, there's the foam stuff/foam caplets that you insert and can use alone or with condoms.

Hi Celestyn!
I have had Mirena in since my son was about 2 months old and I absolutely LOVE IT! I read all the "horror stories", but people usually only reveiw things (online) when they aren't happy - so I went with it anyway. At first it was slightly uncomfortable and there was spotting in between periods for about 6 months or so. It's almost 3 years later now, and I forget I even have it in! I'm so happy with my choice. I don't have to remember to take a pill or think about birth control AT ALL! Every woman is different so of course, everyone will have different experiences with anything we put in our bodies including drugs. I hope you find something that works for your body and lifestyle!
God bless you and your family!!

I actually use a diaphragm, probably because that's what my mother used (she turn 80 this year, so started needing birth control before the pill). My mother had hormonal imbalances which led to miscarriages, so I figured I didn't want to mess around with mine, in case I inherited some sensitivity. You might also have some sensitivity to hormones too, so a non-hormone option might be better for you. The downside of the diaphragm is that, like a condom, it has to be put in before intercourse, so it can interrupt the action. It also requires measuring by a doctor the first time to get the right size and when you need a new one, you might need to be re-checked to be sure the size is still correct. Since it's less often-used these days, a few younger doctors don't even know how to fit it. In terms of working, I can say that I've been using it for 26 years and never had an unintended pregnancy.

Another option might be an IUD. The Mirena does emit hormones, so if you are sensitive to them, it might be a problem; some IUDs don't use hormones, however.

Good luck!

Personally, I have moral issues with hormone-based BC, particularly the progestin0only types whose first method of defense is not allowing an egg to implant into the uterus. Whether you agree or not, I think anyone can see how that can be an issue for some people. So, I have stuck to barrier methods, and I have my diaphram child, my spermacide child, and my sponge child. lol. Seriously, we must be super fertile cause we used them precisely and every single time. Now we have moved onto condoms and have gone the longest yet without a pregnancy. They will have no effect on your milk and are simple and effective. Sure, it's a bit of a pain, but my husband and I just laugh it off. :) If you want hormones, well the only things you are recommended to use while breastfeeding are progestin only like the mini pill and MIrena, or the copper IUD. The progestin does get into your milk, but they do not believe it affects the child. Best Wishes as you make a decision!

I've had the Mirena for almost 4 years now and I love it! It's my only experience with birth control pills and such, so I can't really offer a comparison. It did hurt the day it was inserted, but I think I was fine the next day. It also made a HUGE difference in my periods. I used to be miserable and have very painful cramps my first day or 2, and it would be somewhat heavy. Now I have almost no pain (I never need to take any pain medicine) and it is VERY light. I haven't had any other symptoms from it.

I love the Mirena, had it about 3 years now. It did hurt a little when it was inserted (they say to take Tylenol before you go to minimize discomfort). It's low hormone and you don't have to think about it at all. No pills to remember to take, no uncomfortable condoms, just really no worries. It's fabulous. Plus you get the added benefit of lighter or no periods. For me, it was cheaper than conventional BC as well, I was paying $50 a month for NuvaRing, every month, compared to a one time payment of $600 for Mirena that lasts 5 years (if you don't have insurance they offer payment plans).

My husband and I use condoms. I know they are a bit of a pain but I haven't been able to take birth control pills for years and to me a condom is our best bet.

I am on the mirena, in fact I got it inserted 6 weeks after the birth of my son who is 1 1/2 now. I had some spotting in the beginning but now I don't even get any periods which is great and the docs said thats ok. I remember it being uncomfortable when I got it inserted but never painful. I love my doc and she knew what she was doing. I don't have any side effects, etc...

Have you ever thought of Natural Family Planning? No, it is not the rhythm method and when used diligently is highly effective when postponing children or welcoming new life.
Not only that it has the added bonus of opening and improving communication in marriages. Couples who use NFP have an extremely low percentage of failed marriages.
I am speaking as a once proponent and user of chemical and mechanical birth control X 20 years.
Now that we are doing NFP our marriage and family are stronger than ever. I am also an RN and am happy to have absolutely NO side effects.
For more information contact Dr. Kathleen Ravielle in the Atlanta area. Her # is ###-###-####. Also there is Dr. Sotomayor @ ###-###-####.
For other information on the harmful effects of mechanical and chemical birth control visit Onemoresoul.com.
There was also a previous woman on this site recently that is undergoing painful effects and in need of surgery from an IUD. Janet Smith provides a wonderful talk on CD called, "Contraception, Why Not?" This had a tremendous impact on me and my family.

God Bless!