Mirena for BC 6 weeks post partum? I need your advice...

Nicole - posted on 06/07/2012

Thanks Ladies!!! I have done a ton of research but still was leary because of all the horror stories! I think i am pretty much decided on mirena. And not just because of what you all have said but i have heavy painful periods, and my body responds well to BC.
Thank you all so much for your stories. I know not everyone has something good to say.
I apprciate you taking the time to respond!!!

Candace - posted on 06/06/2012

I had my second (and probably last) baby 9 months ago. I had a Mirena implant put in at my 6 week post partum appointment. My husband and I felt that we are still a bit young to make permanent birth control decisions. I'm 29 and my husband is 31. While we're most likely done building our family, the truth is, I may get hit with a car tomorrow and my husband may meet some hottie patottie that wants to build a family. He can't give up on his swimmers yet.

Having it put in was actually a bit more uncomfortable than I had expected and I was a bit sore for about 4 or 5 days. I had pretty consistent bleeding for about two weeks afterward and spotting for another two or three weeks which really was not bothersome at all. Now, I have a period that lasts one day every month and it is really predictable. I am still breastfeeding and never had any problems with my supply. I actually had overproduction problems and forceful let down in the beginning. I still breastfeed regularly and plan to until my baby is around one year old. I've been happy with it and would choose to do it again.

Lori - posted on 06/05/2012

I'll add my experience here.

I got Mirena about 12 weeks after my 2nd child was born. I also feel that I am done having children, but did not want to have surgery to have my tubes tied, nor did I feel quite ready to make my husband get the surgery. After having it put in I had bleeding for 2 full months after. I sort of resented that because after my first was born I didn't have to deal with a period or any sort of bleeding until she was 13 months old. But anyhow, after that initial 2 months of bleeding I had random spotting on and off. Never very much. When my daughter was about 14 months old, I got my first period. It was a bit lighter than they usually are for me without any BC. And in the past 4 months since then, I've had 2 more very light periods. For me, this is a good thing since mine tend to be quite heavy and long.

I've also had a bit harder time getting back into the swing of things with my husband (if you catch my drift) this time than I did last time. And I've read that it's possible Mirena may have something to do with that...but I'm not really convinced it's the Mirena. Breastfeeding itself suppresses estrogen which is the main driver for that in women. And even though I breastfed the first time for 23 months, and am still breastfeeding my 2nd now at 18 months it's just different the 2nd time around.

So I'd say - find out the risks, see if they're something you're willing to deal with or risk, make sure you're not at higher risk for anything specific to Mirena.

It has had no effect on my milk supply. And if I had it to do over again, I'd choose the Mirena again.

Amy - posted on 06/05/2012

You need to do your research but I will share my experience. I had the mirena put in after I had my first, it was probably 12 weeks after giving birth. I had returned to work and at the time wasn't pumping so I stopped breastfeeding probably a month after. I had it for 3 years and then had it taken out because we were ready for another one. I was pregnant within 3 months of having it removed.

After I had my daughter I had it put back in at my 6 week check up. I never had a problem with supply, I didn't get my first period till about 8 months and have only had it about 4 times sporadically since. My daughter is 2 years 3 months and has just about weened except for her early morning feeding.

Personally I love the mirena, it stopped my periods for the most part and when I do get them they are so light and pain free. It's not something I have to remember to take every day, I don't have to think or worry about it, and I know it's not going to have any long term effect on my ability to have children in the future if we decide we are going to have more. However with that being said it's not for everyone, most people love it or hate it there isn't much inbetweeen. I would also like to add if you decided to get the mirena you do bleed on and off for the first six weeks while your body adjusts.