I am currently 5 months pregnant with our second child. We have both agreed that this is our last. I really want him to get a vasectomy but he won't even talk to me about it. SInce it is something that my husband is not willing to do, I have considered having my tubes tied. I was talking to my friend about it and she strongly suggests that I wait until I know for sure that we are done. She suggested and IUD. So I discussed with my husband what he wanted to do as far as our birth control options go after this baby is born. He doesnt think that getting my tubes tied is a good idea. I really dont want to be on the pill, and condoms didnt last too long after we had our first child. I just want some opinions, pro/cons about and IUD. I know I have time to make a decision, but I just dont know which is the best way to go.
I have the 5 year Mirena and it is great. I bled all the time the 1st month but now I do not get my period. Just a little bleeding from time to time. Just need to wear a pantyliner everyday.
I had the copper T which is the IUD with no hormones. It was a 10 year one and it was great, never had a problem with it. I really recommend it; The only thing was that my periods were heavier and lasted longer but really not bad. I read about mirena and my ob recommended it but I really don't like the side effects of hormones, I know other women have done great with it.
By the way I had it removed so we could conceive our second child, and was pregnant within 6 months, I know you said this is your last baby but if you change your mind you can always have it removed.
I agree you should wait before having your tubes tied, but that's just my opinion, I had my second child a year ago and now we are thinking about a third even though we thought we were done.
Good luck in whatever you decide!
I have the Mirena IUD since September 2008. At first I hated it because I was constantly spotting for maybe 6 months. In hindsight it wasn't that big a deal to just have to wear a panty liner. After the spotting ended my periods became increasingly lighter. Now I have a day or 2 of spotting that I could almost miss because it is so light. I have had no noticeable side effects. I have had some weight gain but that was purely do to me not eating healthy and had nothing to do with the Mirena. I definitely would recommend the Mirena. I will get it removed when we are ready to have baby #2 and will not hesitate to get another one for future birth control.
i just had my 2nd baby 2 months ago. after my 1st one, i went on mirena. it works. i loved it. no worries as soon as its put in. bout a week ago i had it put in again. i cant recommend it enough. i really hav no cons towards it either. i know every1 is different but w/me, there was some cramping cuz my body had to get used to it the 1st time, 2nd time round wasnt so bad. 1st time i RARELY had a period (massive pro to me) lol, n i havnt had my period w/it in yet so we'l c next month. im tellin u, its a good way to go. every1 has there own opinion, but for me, il always stick w/mirena.
There are rare cases of IUDs implanting in fetuses, hormones in pills are a drag, having female tubes tied is more major than males', etc etc etc, there is EVERY reason for your husband to have his tubes tied as the easiest method of birth control if you are both sure this is it. Is he not sure? I'm sure you've been all through this, but he doesn't seem like he wants to end his option to have more kids. Does he find the surgery emasculating or scary somehow? I would find something to really entice him into doing this, because I too hate all forms of birth control. Luckily, after 3, my husband is eager to get snipped.
I have had an IUD for almost 9 years. Getting my tubes tied was just too invasive in my opinion. I have had no side effects. I had one for 6 years before I got pregnant with my youngest. When we wanted to concieve, I went to the DR and had it removed. Simple procedure and I got pregnant right away. The IUD I have is good for 10 years. I think it cost around $400. Not a bad price for 10 years! I would do it againin a heart beat. I've had no problems!
I have the mirena IUD since Nov 2009 after our second "last" baby. I love it I haven't had any problems with it just spotting for the first 4 months and then no periods so far. I would def give it a shot I wanted to have my tubes tied also but my doc wouldn't do it because I'm only 21 .. ( well I think having 2 kids at 21 is quite enough for me ) My husband (32) is open to getting a vasectomy but we wanted to be a little bit more sure before we take that permanent leap :) good luck
Lauren,
I have the IUD Mirena. I talked with my OB after I had my son who is 9 months now. He is our 2nd child. I was completely honest with her and told her that we dont like condoms, and that i was too busy to take a pill and remeber every day. So she suggested Mirena the 5 year plan. You have lighter to no periods, I havent gained any weight. Its 99.9% effective. you dont have to use extra caution with it. The only down side to the Mirena is since its a T shaped insertion some times during sex my husband can feel it so we have to switch to a different position. It doesnt happen alot just every once in a while. So other then that its great. I know too many people who have gotten pregnant on the nuva ring, the depo shot, yazmin. I have gotten pregnant with both my kids on birth control so far this one has worked for me and I love it. Good luck.
I just need to point out that Riley below doesn't quite have the facts on Mirena listed correction.
Mirena is effective the same day it is inserted.
It is not affected by antibiotics.
It has a lower failure rate than BCP because it is released at a constant low dose, instead of having high and low times all day, based on when you actually took the pill.
There are no long dangling strings, and like the paraguard, neither you or your partner should be able to feel them.
I believe most people choose it over paraguard because it makes your monthly periods lighter or even stops them, whereas paraguard can make your periods heavier.
The biggest pros to paraguard that I can see over mirena are that it can be for 10 years instead of 5, and that is it hormone free if that is a concern of yours.
Con to both is that they can cause unpredictable spotting/bleeding in the 1st 3 months while your body gets used to it.
I have the mirena, and agree with everything people have said below except for Riley J's comments about it having the same failure rate as BCPs and not working on antibiotics, neither of which is (as far as I can tell) true. I have gained a ton of weight on mirena (like 20 pounds in the first 3 months), but other than that it has been a great option. My OB won't even consider the ParaGuard because she has had so many complaints about bleeding, but others like it too. I think an IUD would be a great option in your situation. I might make a deal with my hubby-- I'll do one IUD, and then it is time for you to go to the vet... :-)
