IUD Birth Control for Nursing Mom?

Hi there, I have experience w/ the copper T or Paraguard and the Mirena. I had the copper T put in after I had my son...(it's supposed to last 10 years) I chose to have it removed about a 1 1/2 years later...when I did I had a couple of abnormal pap smears...which I had to have biopsied, the outcome was good. Nothing...just a fluke. My belief is that the IUD caused some irritation. I had never had an abnormal pap before then, and have not had one since then. I experienced very heavy bleeding with the Copper T and a lot of cramping. I did not have any trouble conceiving.
I decided to have the Mirena put in after having my daughter, my friends were all using it and loving it. So this one last for 5 years and I have already had it in about 3 yrs. The symptoms associated w/it is that when they 1st put it in I had bleeding for about 6-8 weeks...a really long period, but since then my periods have completely tapered off w/ occasional spotting. I still feel cramps when I would normally have a period, but no mess to deal with. I still have a box of tampons from 3 yrs ago sitting in my bathroom. If I had to choose again, I would totally choosed the Mirena. By the way, both my friends conceived w/in a few months of stopping the mirena. Hope this helps!

Hi K., I used the mirena for about 1 week. I did not like it. I should have done more research on it before I got it. I started having cramps when I would sit a certain way and I noticed it was like I was always hungry. I dont know why it did that to me but it did and I did not want to gain a whole mess of weight just after having my second child. Also my doctor told me to keep checking to see if you can still feel the string that hangs down. wasnt really looking forward to that either. then they said that you should come back every so often to have and ultrasound to make sure it doesnt move. that worried me to because im like what if it moved and I end up prego again. But there are alot of women who like it and alot that dont. you really have to make your own decision on this one. I was like you i did not want to take the pill but after using that I decided to take the pill anyway , loestrin 24. Its pretty good, I havent had a period in 4 months so that makes it nice. well good luck and just do what you think is best. by the way it didnt hurt when they put it in or took it out.

Please make sure to read all of the fine print in the information on it; don't assume that your doctor tells you all. There's a lot of fine print that doctors tend to shrug off.

I had the paraguard inserted in 2005. In 2006 my husband and I decided that we wanted to have more children, so I had it removed. While it was in, it was great! The only downside is that for the first 6 mos or so, your cycles are seriously stronger than normal. It never made me bed-ridden or anything, but it was more painful and heavy than usual. Anyways, I've always been sensitive to hormones, which is why I chose the paraguard. Also, I didn't want to have to wait until the hormones wore off before being fertile again, after removal. When I went to have it removed, the doc warned me that I may not get pg for 6 mos or so. Haha, that was not the case. I had it removed exactly 1 week after my start date, and I didn't have another cycle til after my daughter was born (yes, I conceived 1 week after removal). I am going to discuss the iud with my doc for when my son is born in oct. I liked it enough to want it again and I would recommend it. Insertion was a little uncomfortable but I didn't feel the removal. I had no complications. Everything went smooth for me. Good luck with your decision and God bless!

I've had both Paraguard and Mirena. The paraguard inflamed my endometriosis so I had it removed after a year. The mirena I had to have surgically removed 2 weeks after it was placed. It perforated my uterous and they couldn't find it except via surgery. It was found in the cavity behind my uterous. The cause could have been one of two things 1. inserted improperly (which is what I believe) 2. When you are nursing your uterous contracts a lot and the uterous is soft post childbirth. So, with the contractions and the soft uterous it was pushed out. After my 4th child I wanted an IUD but decided against it because of my last two experiences. I didn't want to take the pill though because it was too easy to forget. So, my doctor recommended Implanon. It is a plastic rod about the size of a match stick that my doctor implanted into the upper inside of my left arm. It is a slow releasing low dose etonogestrel. It is safe to use while breast feeding. I love it. It lasts for 3 years and then when removed you can get pregnant. It's a little more invasive then the IUD since it is surgically (in office) placed and removed. Ask your doctor about it because they have to be trained to insert it.

Well, it looks like you've already gotten a lot of opinions on both but I'll put in my two cents anyhow. I have the copper and while it does have it's downsides, over all I'm pleased. I will also say that if you are going to take hormones anyway you may as well take the pill where you can adjust the hormones to fit your needs. The Mirena has a set level of hormones and once it's in- it's in. At least if you take the pill ( I believe they have pills safe for nursing) if the hormones are having negative side effects you can just stop taking them and try another. I've had my ParaGaurd since January and it was slightly painful at insertion and my periods are longer, heavier and more painful but not extreme. The cramps are gettting much better with time but they are still heavy and last longer than they used to. It's still worth it to me for not having hormones and not having to do anything or remember anything. Everyone is very different. I will say if you get either one- go ahead a take an advil or alive or something BEFORE you go to have it insterted.

Good luck

I have the same question! I didn't want to use hormones while nursing and had a surprise pregnancy when my son only 5 months old! So, this is definitely something I'm looking into after this one arrives. Good luck - just don't think breastfeeding and rhythm methods are good forms of birth control:)

I use Paragard and love it! I don't have to remember to take the pill or trips to the pharmacy. I got on it after the birth of my second son because the Pill made my milk dry up after my first son's birth. (The doctor indicated it wouldn't be a problem, but it was.) I nursed my second son for 2 1/2 years and it didn't affect my milk supply.

Only felt a little cramping at the insertion and other than checking "the strings" monthly, I just forget about it. I got enough stuff to keep up with! Since I don't plan on more children, I couldn't answer that part of your question. Some women have problems with it, but my experience has been great. I would recommend it. This is also my first experience with the IUD as I used the Pill and condoms previously.

Hope this helps.

K. Howell

I was looking for long term BC, I'm like 99% sure I DO NOT want any more childern, but that 1% makes me not do any thing permanent. I spoke with my OB/GYN, and he recomonded a few diffrent options, Mirena was one of them, after reading up on it, I thought that it may be for me. SO I made an appointment, he used numbing (sp) spray, and put the IUD in. I was on the depo shot for 3 years so I did not have a period in 3 years. I did bleed (like a light period) for 5 days then, no more. I did cramp pretty bad after the spray wore off. for about 5 hours then I remembered I had Aleve wich worked WONDERS!!! I still have it in, No plans for any more children so I cant help you there, the only "side effects" are sometimes I think I feel it, and once a month for about 5 to 7 days my nipples are sore, which wouldn't be so bad if I didnt have a big 10 year old for a husband :) Well if you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

I got the para guard IUD after my son was born.. i love that its hormone free and so far it works like a charm, insertion hurt just a little, feels like a bad menstrual cramp, ive noticed my cramps are worse during that time of the month and the biggest downside is my periods are a lot heavier.. had it over a year now!

K.

I had the Mirena put in a few months after my first child was born. I was nursing too, so using the IUD with hormones was a concern for me. I was seeing a lactation consultant and asked her. She did some research before letting me know it was a very safe option to use while nursing.
I do not recall having more than a little spotting when it was put in (gone by day 3) and some periodic nausea (possibly when I should've been having my period). I have really sporadic periods, so it was a relief to not have any the entire time it was in.
I did have it removed a year later (at the recheck) to work on conceiving. I had a period within days of having it out and then immediately got pregnant with my second child (due in February). Getting pregnant so soon was a surprise to me and my husband since it took over a year and Clomid to get pregnant with our first.
I will definitely use Mirena after our second is born.

I have a copper IUD it is hormone free. It lasts up to 5 years. There is a little discomfort when inserted. But it is quick. Some minor bleeding afterwards. You may also experience early spotting and off and on bleeding up to a week or so before your menstral cycle. I like it because it is hormone free. Good luck.

C.

I use the Mirena and love it! This is my 2nd time to have it. I used it afer my son and then got it 6 weeks after my daughter was born. I had/have no issues with it! The 1st time I had it put in I had a bad cramp b/c I had it put in 5 years after my son was born. This time it didn't hurt at all since I had just had our daughter. Another good thing is very little periods to none at all! When I had the Mirena out I got prego in less than 4 months. You don't feel, don't have to remember to take a pill and no periods! I an a big fan so far with mmy Mirena!