Safe and Effective Contraception during Breastfeeding?

Emily - posted on 04/09/2011

I forgot to mention... on the Implanon, your periods are reduced in severity but do not go away. With the Mirena, my periods went away entirely after the first 2 months.

Emily - posted on 04/09/2011

Oh goodness, I have that history too. I am on the Depo shot currently, but I've noticed I'm more moody than normal and my daughter (who is 17 months old & still breastfeeds) is a bit more moody too. I would recommend the Mirena IUD or the Implanon because I've had the Mirena in the past (it's what I used before my 17 month old came along) and it was definitely effective. I didn't become pregnant until I went to the doctor and said "Hey, I'd like it removed. My husband and I want to try for a baby." It does release hormones but the levels are so low, they don't affect baby. I've never tried the Implanon, but I have several friends who rave about it. It's inserted in your arm versus in your vagina, so it's good for the naturally modest. I know the Implanon is effective for up to 3 years and the Mirena is effective for up to 5 years but either can be taken out at any time if you want to try for another baby. Talk to your doctor before delivery about contraceptives so you can make a decision and set up an appointment by the time you've healed. It'll give you such a peace of mind.

Keri - posted on 04/07/2011

I used the mini pill after I had both my sons. It should not effect your milk supply and is effect birth control.

Lindsey - posted on 04/06/2011

Here's my experience: Opted not to get an IUD (though I probably will when we are done having children) since my OB said it would technically takes over 2 years to equal out the cost of the pill even with our insurance. I've been on Micronor (generic Camila), a low hormone, progesterone only pill for almost 20 months (since our l.o. was 6 weeks)- and am still nursing. Just started to get periods a little over a month ago as nursing is decreasing. I just stopped taking it to give my body a few 'regular' months before we try for #2 in several months.

Heidi - posted on 04/03/2011

I've had a ParaGuard IUD for almost 2 years now. I have had zero side effects or problems with it.

Rachael - posted on 04/03/2011

Laura, I looked up the IUD risks and complications after Alexander was born and was equally horrified. It makes sense though, you are having the doctor JAM a piece of plastic and copper through your cervix into your uterus which is 100% unnatural! I used the progesterone only mini pill with Alexander and he had no negative effects, and my milk supply was fabulous. The FDA has recently approved the combination birth control pill (estrogen and progesterone) for use with breast feeding. From everything I have read on that one I would recommend waiting until breastfeeding and supply are well established and you have begun having "normal" periods before switching to the combo pill. For those of you wanting non-hormonal birth control I would stick to condoms. They are cheap, easy, and you can get pregnant again whenever you chose. Good luck!

Tyrae - posted on 04/02/2011

the mini pill is just one of the hormones while the normal pill has both. I was on the mini pill, but my supply dropped and my daughter started losing weight, so I stopped. I am now exclusively using condoms. An IUD is out of the question because I might be allergic to copper (I'm allergic to a lot of metals).

Amy - posted on 04/02/2011

This is my second go round with the mirena. I used it in-between my 5 year old and now one year old and had another one put in. I absolutely love it and I haven't had any issues with supply. Oh and when I had it taken out to conceive baby #2 I was pregnant within 3 months.

Jessie - posted on 04/02/2011

I tried to take what they call the 'mini pill' when my son was about 3 months old. It is supposed to be safe for your baby however it almost made my milk supply dry up. So, into the trash it went and we have used condoms alone for the last 20 months. I nursed until 16 months. I have been considering going back on regular birth control but I do not care for the way the hormones effect me (I have tried a few different types before getting pregnant). Good luck

Laura Zoey - posted on 04/02/2011

Ok so I was curious and so I looked into the non hormonal iuds, I found out that paraguard is the most used non hormonal iud so I looked into it.
I'm horrified at the risks! Oh my gosh, please check out this link, it's very straight forward about how the iud works,how effective it is, and what the risks are.
After reading it I would never dream of using this devise, seriously, I don't know how it's legal to sell this with all the documented side effects it can cause!
http://www.contracept.org/iud-paragard.p...

Laura Zoey - posted on 04/02/2011

I have a diaphragm, I wanted non hormonal stuff with the east risks so I wasn't too keen on the iud, but I thi the non hormonal iud has alot less risks then the hormonal ones!
Honestly I don't know much about how the non hormonal iud works.....the diaphragm is pretty simple and effective so I might stick with it, but the iud would be tempting if it has little risks.

Kristina - posted on 04/02/2011

I had the depo shot! I bf my son the whole time I was on it to! I loved it because after 2 months guess what?! no more of mother natures little gift!! it was great and it helps clear your complexion. Its one shot every 3 months in your hip. Totally worth it. But relize there are risks with it, if your a smoker I wouldnt get on it. I used to smoke and it caused a blood clot because I was smoking and on BC. So careful. Chances are really slim to get one from it I just ahve the worst luck. But its deffinately a great BC!!

Elizabeth - posted on 04/02/2011

talk soon then! good luck!

Angelica - posted on 04/02/2011

Thanks Elizabeth!! I think we have a winner! IUD it is. I'll be seeing my OB/GYN on Wednesday so I'll let you guys know what happens! Thanks everyone!

Elizabeth - posted on 04/02/2011

It can be long term or you can remove it.. We are having our 3rd child so I have had one in and removed it then had one in and removed it...then after this baby is born will have one in again lol



Edit: I should add our daughters each have 2 1/2 years between them

Angelica - posted on 04/02/2011

The only reason why I'm skeptical about any pill is because I was on the pill when I got pregnant. I took it every day at the same time, but I guess I'm that 1% ... But @Candace, your argument seems valid! Haha. What's the difference between this mini/micro pill and regular pills?
I'm still leaning towards Elizabeth and Niki, though. The non-hormonal IUD is still what I'm leaning most towards towards. And yeah, it's a long-term thing but it lasts up to 5 years, right? I'm not planning on having any other children anytime soon. And if I do, 5 years sounds just about right for another little one.

Elizabeth - posted on 04/02/2011

I have to agree completely with Niki Pucci. The IUD, the copper one without hormones, is the one I prefer most. The pill made me sick...I did depo for 5 yrs and gained 20lb in a 2 month span when I missed a shot and restarted again...the patch gave me a metal taste in my mouth and nausea. I've tried a lot of different things and the IUD had no side effects..I didn't have painful periods and I had absolutely no spotting. I am speaking in the past tense because I am currently pregnant so ..obviously don't have it in. Also, if you are planning on having more kids..there is no waiting for it to leave your system...you have it removed and that's it.

Candace - posted on 04/01/2011

I used the micro pill while I was breast feeding and didn't have any problems with suppy etc. Also, I didn't have any periods while I breast fed and I too had heavy, painful periods before hand. Maybe you will be that lucky too!

Jay - posted on 04/01/2011

I'm also a bit nervous about going on the mini pill because of milk and effect on baby so i understand that..
still using condoms for now, 5 week old.x

Harmony - posted on 03/31/2011

I heard that the pills can dry up your milk supply, I don't think the mini pill is supposed to, but I was still hesitant to use it so we switch back and forth between condoms and a diaphragm. I contemplated the IUD but some doctors wont do it if you are planning on having more kids in the near future, it is more of a long term solution. Good luck with what ever you decide.

Jay - posted on 03/31/2011

oh and my sis was on mini pill for painful cramps.. she used to pass out with the pain; so they work for that too.
she didn't stay on it though, went back to normal pill because she got a little depressed on the mini pill and has never had mental health problems, so be careful.
I have told my hubby to keep an eye on my moods as I have suffered mental health problems in the past and want to be careful!
sorry for the waffle!!! xx

Jay - posted on 03/31/2011

The mini pill is safe and that's what I will be going onto soon,I am going to wait until the baby is 6 weeks though.
My mum got pregnant when my older bro was 4 weeks because she thought breastfeeding would protect her. My doc actually told me I don't need contraception till 4 months, but I know from my mum that you do, so me and hubby have been using condoms for now x

Angelica - posted on 03/31/2011

I was considering an IUD but I wasn't sure if an non-hormonal IUD would be effective with my periods. Are there any other non-hormonal contraceptives other then an non-hormonal IUD, condoms or diaphragm?

Niki - posted on 03/30/2011

try to avoid harmone based contraceptives - theres a lot of debate about it but I work in health and have seen a lot of negative effects and health problems from the synthetic hormones (although most doctors will say that they are fine). Personally i have an IUD (normal, not hormone based merina) i found it a lot earier than condoms or diaphragm. Often your hormones will balance out aftet having a baby so you might not have painfull periods anymore (i didnt) but if you do there are a lot of herbs that can help to get your body functioning peoperly so you wont have pain,PMS etc - see a naturopath or herbalist