Birth Control?

Antoinette - posted on 07/29/2009

Oh really! how long did it take to put in...is that better than the old iud from years ago and is it also the same as the mirena...

Amanda - posted on 07/29/2009

I have a copper IUD. It was a little uncomfortable being put in but other than that, it's great :)

Antoinette - posted on 07/28/2009

That's ok I have been getting advice for the last couple of days that helped make my decision...what advice do you have for me...

April - posted on 07/28/2009

God!! I always post late. Sorry! Good luck witth your IUD procedure.

April - posted on 07/28/2009

I took the POP (progesterone only pill) or mini-pill, but only for four months. I had no side effects what so ever (with other estrogen pills I've had weight gain, crazy mood swings, severe nausea, etc) and it did not dry up my milk.



The only reason I stopped taking it is because I have mixed feelings on birth control and personally don't like that kind of stuff in my body.

Antoinette - posted on 07/28/2009

I am so grateful for all the advice that I have received and because of all of you I have an appointment for the 20th of august to get prepared for the mirena (iud)...I cancelled my appt for the ESURE procedure...I thank you all...

Brandy - posted on 07/28/2009

I have Mirena, the IUD, it is ok for breastfeeding moms.

Sarah - posted on 07/28/2009

Hold on let me find the name, My doc gave me a prescription for a bc that was safe for breast feeding and that was only effective if you are breastfeeding due to the hormones. Otherwise it's like 25% effective. My milk was perfectly fine and didn't dry up at all. It's Ortho Micronor. It's a pill yet I just take it when the baby gets up in the morning and I'm good to go. Good luck!

Courtney - posted on 07/28/2009

I took NuvaRing while I was breastfeeding and it dried up my milkright away. I took it out before my milk was completely gone. I'm still successfully breastfeeding and I am going for the DepoProvera shot the next time I get my period. The shot is given once every 3 months and there are no side effects towards breastfeeding.

Stina - posted on 07/27/2009

After our second baby, my husband didn't want any more babies- but I wasn't ready to be permanently unable to have children- me 25, him 36 at the time... so I told him he could get that taken care of himself. In the meantime, I took a progestine only pill- or a mini pill- wich worked fine and didn't affect my milk. About 6 months later, when he still hadn't gotten things taken care of, we talked again and he apparantly had changed his mind... it is so important not to do anything permanent to your body unless you are 100% certain you won't want to change back. It's great that you have opted for the less permanent option considering your uncertainties. (our third baby is 3 months and a ray of sunshine)

Antoinette - posted on 07/27/2009

In fact I am...I called today to cancel my appointment and rescheduled for the IUD instead...I am so grateful for this community with such great advice...I was so affraid at first now I need to tell my husband what my plans are...wish me luck...lol lol!

Heather - posted on 07/27/2009

i hear ya! Consider the IUD. Same benefits without the permanency.

Antoinette - posted on 07/27/2009

Yea me either, I'm 35 turning 36 in december and we were done when we had our son which he is now 15 turning 16 up until almost 8 months ago when I had my daughter...we definetly didn't plan it, it just happened...I wasnt taking any birthcontrol...I took some for the 1st time about 8 years ago and stop taking them about 5 years ago now...I'm just not ready for something so permanant...I don't want to take away my choices or get in the way of what God may have planned for me, so I understand when you say everything happens for a reason...

Heather - posted on 07/27/2009

I haven't had an iud consult yet, but i'm in the same boat. 2 kids, one is handicapped, not sure about a 3rd, probably not, but i'm only 32 and can't manage the thought of my childbearing years being over already. My husband had a vasectomy (which i always knew could be reversed) but it failed. I believe everything happens for a reason, so maybe we're supposed to have a 3rd? or it's just wishful thinking. either way, I wasn't ready for something so permanet.

Rhiannon - posted on 07/27/2009

The literature does say that after insertion of the Paragard (copper IUD) one has heavy bleeding during periods, but I was under the impression that was only temporary. Even if not, the nice thing about the IUD is that it's the work of a few minutes to put in, AND the work of a few minutes to take out, should you not like it.

From Wiki:

"The IUD is the world's most widely used method of reversible birth control,[1] currently used by nearly 160 million women...[2] The device has to be fitted inside and removed from the uterus by a doctor or qualified medical practitioner. It remains in place the entire time pregnancy is not desired. Depending on the type, a single IUD is approved for 5 to 10 years, and trials have demonstrated the copper T 380A to be effective for at least 12 years.[3]"

Good luck with your consult!

Martha - posted on 07/27/2009

Synthetic estrogen is what causes problems with milk supply. It is in the regular birth control pill as well as the ring and the patch. Synthetic progesterone does not negatively affect milk supply and there is anecdotal evidence that it actually increases milk supply. Mirena uses synthetic progesterone only as does the "mini" pill, the shot, and the Norplant making them safe for nursing mothers.

http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/birt...

Antoinette - posted on 07/27/2009

I know, I went for my pre op about a week ago for the ESURE procedure and that is why I am skeptical...although we dont plan to have anymore it is still so permanant and I am just not prepared to put my body through that yet...Have you had your consult about the iud yet?

Heather - posted on 07/27/2009

I went for an Esure consult- it's completely permanent. It can be done under anesthesia, some clinics will do it in the office under a local painkiller. They're thin spiral wires that are inserted into the fallopian tubes. what happens is the tubes form scar tissue and block the tubes completely. takes about 3-4mths to happen. This is a form of sterilization and should only be done of you are completely sure you are done having children. If you ever decide to remove them, it will require surgery and probably IVF to get pregnant again. If you do get pregnant before the tubes fully block chances are the baby wouldn't make it as the metal does hang into your uterus and will poke a hole on the baby's bag of waters. I opted not to do it for now, think I'm going to try the IUD without hormones. The dr told me it takes a few days of recovery from the Esure and has some cramping and discomfort while your cervix works to close. Good luck!

Antoinette - posted on 07/27/2009

OMG thanks everyone for the advice it was all really helpful, the advice has definetly changed my mind about the procedure I am scheduled to have on august 6th...the procedure is the ESURE...I dont know if you all has ever heard of it but it is new and it is a method of tubiligation only they put these metal coils in the tubes to seal them and you have to go back in 3-4 months to be sured they are sealed..they were going to numb my cervix and I was going to have to take valume, vicodin, and ibuprophen to relax me...its and outpatient procedure...we dont plan to have anymore children but it is still so permanant and I'm not sure if I'm ready for that...I think I will try the mirena or iud...Thanks

Heather - posted on 07/27/2009

I know 3 people with the copper IUD and it is not a good idea if you have hard periods or bad cramps, the people I know with them have 3 week periods and extreme back pain.

Lynda - posted on 07/27/2009

The copper IUD is called Paragard and it is still available - I'm going to have one inserted in a couple of weeks. It does not contain any hormones.

Heather - posted on 07/27/2009

No it is a really low dose of hormones. The only thing that has been effected has been my period.

Katie - posted on 07/27/2009

I have an Iud the mirena. I got mine 6 weeks after my daughter was born and I nursed till ahe was 9 1/2 months old. I don't feel like it had any affect on my milk supply. Best thing is this Iud lasts 5 years and you have light to no period during this time. This is my third Iud. Also it's removable at any time if you deside to add on to your family. The copper Iud's last ten years, I have a friend who has had one for six years and enjoys her as well (You will have a full monthly cycle with this one). Good luck, get a good ob/gyn to put it in, and make sure they don't cut your strings too short it make give your partner discomfort.. you can also take the mini pill but I think the chances of getting pregnant are higher?

Antoinette - posted on 07/27/2009

Hi Heather did your milk dry up due to the mirena because of the hormones? My foster mom took birthcontrol pills many years ago and the hormones contained in it dried her milk up...I was wondering if all birthcontrol containing hormones will do the same things...

Heather - posted on 07/27/2009

I have the4 Mirena and I love it but I also know that my sister-in-law just got a copper IUD too so either one. I have not had any side effects of hormones in Mirena except that it eliminated my period. But that is positive for me.

Antoinette - posted on 07/27/2009

Hi Rhiannon I thought those werent being used anymore and were replaced by the mirena which does contain slight hormones...

Rhiannon - posted on 07/27/2009

What about a copper IUD? No hormones, and good for 10 years! Women in Europe have been wearing them for years.