Birth Control Ideas

Whatever you do DO NOT get an IUD in...I am a member of another mom site and everyday I hear really bad side effects from it. Anywhere from bleeding for months at a time to depression.

Hello,

I know that the other two responses had spoken negatively about IUD's, but I personally had the Mirena and absolutely LOVED it. I didn't have any issues with depression while on it. My period basically stopped (it's actually known for stopping periods, the Mirena, not the copper). My period would only be enough for one junior tampon a month and that was it! I loved not having to worry about when I was ovulating, when to take a pill, etc. I am a research queen and have done my homework before having it placed. The mirena has way more positive great things about it then the copper. I'm also allergic to copper, so I couldn't get that one even if I wanted to. (I wouldn't get it, anyway, due to all the bad reviews.) Yes, there is a small chance of the IUD perforating the uterus (SMALL chance), but just the same with the pills. Honestly, I'd rather take a chance of something fixable by surgery compared to having a blood clot that can lead to a stroke (by it traveling up to the brain). Sorry, I would never take the pill due to the crazy side effects, including increased chance of breast cancer. I'd highly take the perforated uterus than a life threatening condition, if I had to base my decision on just the "chance" of side effects! I've never had any negative side effects with the Mirena and would highly recommend that. Just do your research on any form of birth control and weigh out the pro's and con's. Don't you just wish there was a birth control for men out there? I know there's a couple in the works, but WHEN will it be available!!! LOL. The great thing about the Mirena is that you can keep it in for up to five years and if you want to have another child, you can take it out and get pregnany almost immediately (average of two months). I, myself, had it removed to have my second child and got pregnant the second month after it being removed! I love the turn around time on the Mirena, compared to the pill, which says it can take up to a year to get pregnant! I hope this helped a bit!

I am right there with you!! I'm begging my hubby to get a vasectomy, but he won't (yet). I'll be reading your replies!
B

Please read Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler. This book is fabulous and will give you great insight to how your body and cycles work. It teaches you how chart your cycles so that you know when to avoid getting pregnant. I have been using that method in order to conceive for about 6 months, but I know several women that use it to abstain from getting pregnant. Good Luck.

Might want to consider spermicides. They have foam types, cream types, and a vaginal film. Sometimes one partner can be sensitive to these products so don't purchase too many until you're sure you don't react to them. I like them because they give a little extra lubricant as well. And when we use condoms, I prefer the natural sheep skin type. They're very natural feeling. They are more expensive, but cheaper than a pregnancy. We save them for ovulation time. Good luck!

I can sympathize with your situation. I was in a very similar place after my first child was born. While we were using condoms, my husband doesn't like them and was not always very good about consistent usage. Long story short, I ended up pregnant again when my baby was only 4 months old. Since my second child was born, my husband has been VERY consistent with condoms and for the first 6 months postpartum I was on the mini-pill which is safe to take while nursing. As you can imagine, with a 1 and a 2 yr old (13 months apart) we are in no way ready to have another child. My OB suggested I get on a regular birth control pill at the 6 month mark but I wasn't comfortable with that since I was still breastfeeding. My little guy is now weaned off the breast so I'm getting an IUD. This way my husband and I can stop using condoms but not have to worry about another surprise pregnancy. Paragard is safe while nursing as it does not contain hormones. There are some risks associated with IUDs but I've decided to give it a shot. It may or may not be right for you. I hope this helps! Best wishes and congrats on your baby daughter! =)

I second what Anastasia said.......I have friends who have had horrible side effects from IUD's (one had her uterus rupture, and can't have any more children, after her 1st)

I won't take birth control and after the birth of my youngest I found a product called VCF (vaginal contraceptive film) You can get it at Target. You can get a film, foam or a capsule that you insert before sex and it disolves. I didn't have any adverse side effects after using it for 2 and a half years, and we got pregnant the first month we tried.

Rythms is also great-once you're ovulating normally again. You can use the VCF as back up.
Good luck!!

I recently had my third child. I am breastfeeding, too, and did with my first two. My midwives suggest the "mini-pill" for while breastfeeding. I'm on it now and used it while I breastfed my other two kids as well. I don't remember exactly how the mini pill differs from the regualar pill, but it's safe to use while breastfeeding. I'd ask your doctor/midwife about it. Good luck!

I breastfed my kids each for a year so I had similar concerns to yours. We used condoms and made it part of the foreplay. My husband enjoyed my participation in putting it on so he thought the advantages outweighed the disadvantages. We also went to truck stops and places like that for a variety in their condoms.

Then when we made the birth control more permanent after we knew we were done having kids, it made the freedom from condoms much more exhilarating.

try the contraception "foam" or gel,in the same hygiene type isle-they workgreat!i only have the 4 kids that were planned,& never had the foam fail. :)