What kind of birth control do you recommend?

Anne - posted on 01/18/2010

I love my Mirena IUD.

Good for you for deciding this ahead of time - too many people think they can rely on breastfeeding as birth control and then they end up pregnant again way too soon.

For breastfeeding-friendly birth control, your choices are:
1. The mini-pill - low dose hormones but to be effective you have to take it at the same time every day
2. Nuva-Ring - low dose hormone plastic ring you insert into vagina
3. Depo-Provera shot - monthly or every three month shot in the arm by a doctor, some people say it makes you fat
4. IUD - three or five year versions, have to be inserted and removed by a doctor

Courtney - posted on 01/16/2010

I LOVE my mirena IUD!

Charlotte - posted on 01/16/2010

I use the Paraguard Copper IUD because it's horomone free and it lasts for 10 years unless you have it removed before then (which you can do at any time). You never have to worry about anything as long as you have the same partner and you're both healthy. There is no remembering to get shots, take pills etc. It's just a simple self check after your period, and you have it checked when you go to your yearly check up. You have complete control of when you will get pregnant again because you have to get it removed when you're ready. It's 99.9% effective.

Jen - posted on 01/11/2010

I have tried the pill, Nuvaring, and now have Paraguard IUD (Copper IUD). I choose the Copper IUD because it is non hormonal. I didn't like the effect the pill had on my cycles and the effect it had when I stopped the pill. Nuvaring was never comfortable for me and would feel like it was going to fall out, plus my husband could feel it and he didn't like that. The IUD didn't hurt at all to get put in and I haven't had any problems with it effecting my cycle at all. I know that I want to have all my pgs planned so having the IUD removed before I can have another doesn't bother me at all.

Kandis - posted on 01/11/2010

What is it?

Jessica - posted on 01/10/2010

I was on the patch, I do not recommend that. I can't remember to take a pill everyday, just too busy. I recommend Nuvaring after your done breastfeeding. Its in for 3-4 weeks pending on if you want a period and totally safe. Its been 5 years and no baby! But I can stop when I want and pending on how long you are on it, depends on how long you will be able to concieve after you stop as with any birth control.



good luck!

Ashley - posted on 01/10/2010

Mirena IUD

Megan - posted on 01/09/2010

Quoting Courtney:

ok i had my son in july, and only gained 32 lbs while i was pregnant and was down 55 lbs 3 weeks after birth. (i don't recommend losing the way i did though - infections, surgeries, and tons of antibiotics.) i got the depo shot after my 6 week checkup, so in september. by december i had gained 35 lbs back. they didn't tell me that weight gain, hair loss etc was part of the side effects of DEPO. So then in December, I got the Mirena IUD, which fell out on new years eve and i ended up in the hospital to get it removed. After it was put in middle of december, my period started and its just now slowing down and the IUD is not even in anymore. I'm back on the pill now, and I'm just going to use a backup method of foam to prevent pregnancy for now. I do plan on trying the IUD again in about 6 months after my periods are normalized.

I feel for  you! I have the IUD for the second time now. The first time I had it was after my daughter and now after my son.....When my mom had an IUD put in when she was younger her's also fell out and she said it was very painful....That is always a scare of mine. I had my first IUD for 3 years with no problems and now I have had my second for a few months and I am still bleeding and have been cramping a little more but I have cists on my ovaries so I get them anyway. I am hoping after I am done bleeding they will just all go away like they did with my first IUD...Good luck and I hope the IUD works out for you in the end! 

Courtney - posted on 01/09/2010

ok i had my son in july, and only gained 32 lbs while i was pregnant and was down 55 lbs 3 weeks after birth. (i don't recommend losing the way i did though - infections, surgeries, and tons of antibiotics.) i got the depo shot after my 6 week checkup, so in september. by december i had gained 35 lbs back. they didn't tell me that weight gain, hair loss etc was part of the side effects of DEPO. So then in December, I got the Mirena IUD, which fell out on new years eve and i ended up in the hospital to get it removed. After it was put in middle of december, my period started and its just now slowing down and the IUD is not even in anymore. I'm back on the pill now, and I'm just going to use a backup method of foam to prevent pregnancy for now. I do plan on trying the IUD again in about 6 months after my periods are normalized.

Erin - posted on 01/09/2010

i used the ring for years and really liked it. The Ring puts out hormones and so if you suffer from bad pms or cramps etc it reduces your symptoms. you just have to worry about your birth control once a month. I now have the mirena IUD because I am not wanting anymore children but Im not ready to do anything permanent. Its great! After 6 months I finally dont have a period, and I dont have to think about birth control at all. Because I dont have periods I dont have cramping. It doesnt reduce the grumpiness though with pms...

Angie - posted on 01/09/2010

Natural family planning is the only birth control that has no side effects. It's easy to use, if you and your husband can practice self restraint - even if you have irregular cycles (mine were 17 to 50 days long). Believe it or not, it's a great marriage strengthener as well because it demands communication between husband and wife.

Dette - posted on 01/09/2010

I had the same exact problem when I was pregnant with my daughter 2 years ago. I took a booklet from my doctor with bunch of informations about different kind of contraceptives. Maybe you should ask your Ob for one so you can see and find out which one is good for you. For me, I decided to go for the Nuva ring, since I know that I'm very forgetful especially after giving birth and I'm satisfied with it cause you only have to worry about it after 21 days..you can look for info about it. be careful about the IUD stuff cause I have lots of friends who got pregnant while having it. I'm trying to be careful myself getting pregnant again. And try not to use a condom cause your husband may not approve. A lot of men does not approve on using it. Good luck to you!

Carrie - posted on 01/08/2010

I also have the Mirena IUD and am quite happy with it. I took Depo before I had my son, and loved it, did not have any of the side effects that some complain of, however my obgyn did not recommend I go back on it if I wanted to have more children anytime soon as it took a loooooooooong time to clear my system (took me over 2 years to get preggo with my son).

Charmaine - posted on 01/08/2010

I would recommend the Mirena IUD

Megan - posted on 01/08/2010

I got pregger on the pill with my daughter, after her I got the mirena IUD and love it. You will bleed or spot for a few months when you first get it and then after that it is like there is nothing even in you. You don't feel anything and you don't get your period. It lasts up to 5 years and you can get it removed anytime before that. I got it removed when I wanted to have another baby and got preggers within a 2 months! I have friends on the "ring" and they live it but I don't like the thought of inserting something in me like that, just my opinion. Do what you feel is right and comfortable for you. Ask your doctor! :)



You also have a little while to think about it. At least 8 weeks after you have your baby. So you have plenty of time to think about it. Good luck and Congrats!

Lise - posted on 01/08/2010

Quoting michelle:

i personally have been on probably at least 6 different pills, the patch, and the old lunelle shots before they pulled it. i have also gone without being on anything. i've always been much happier when on nothing and just use the condoms. it sometimes feels silly to have to use condoms when i'm married, but not one of those birth control methods i tried allowed me to feel like myself. some even caused hormonal migraines. i personally would not use an iud - it just seems really creepy to me. i am 8mo pg with our 3rd - my husband really wants to get himself 'fixed' after this one so i won't have to worry about it anymore.

Right there with you!

Heather - posted on 01/08/2010

I love the Mirena. I had it in for over 2 years without a single period! That was very nice. Sometimes you can feel it when having sex, but not very often. You can take it out whenever you want, just have to wait 20 days before trying. It doesn't have a lot of hormones in it, so no feeling icky or weight gain.

Danielle - posted on 01/08/2010

I was religously taking the pill when I became pregnant with my son, so when my OB recommended the Mirena IUD...I jumped at it. I have had it for nearly 3 years now and not a single problem. In fact...after roughly 6 months I had no more periods, slight cramping once in awhile, but no spotting of any kind. I highly recommend Mirena..my best friend has it also and loves it!

Louella - posted on 01/08/2010

after i had my daughter i tried the mini pill becuase i breastfed. but after a month i realized it wasn't the one i wanted so i am now on the depo shot and it is working fine with me. i still breast feed my daughter is almost 7 months. and it works fine. but also which ever one works for you. if you plan on breasfeeding the doctor will recommoned the best birth controll that wont mess with your breastmilk.

Anastasia - posted on 01/08/2010

i was put on seasonique after delivery and its great. i only get 4 periods a year and nothing had to be inserted. i used to work in the ob/gyne field and its not always as easy to take out as it is to put in.

Kirsty - posted on 01/08/2010

I am on the Mirena and I love it. I have two kids of my own and I feel Pregnant on the pill both times. So this last time I went with the Mirena and I have no problems with it at all. I would recommend it to every. Good Luck on what you use.

Christine - posted on 01/08/2010

I have the Mirena and would totally recommend it. It's good for 5 yrs and can remove it anytime and you don't have to worry about remembering to take anything if your the forgetful type. I also had the NuvaRing which I loved but could not get back on it because I was breastfeeding. Good luck with your decision.

Rena - posted on 01/08/2010

I am on the Mirena IUD which I love!! At first I bled off and on for a month. I also had craps constantly for about a month, but now I have a lite period and barely crap at all. I will eventually not have a period at all!! Which I have no problem with at all. When I decide I am ready to have another child I go to my OBGYN and get it taken out and wait three months and all is good! Although there is a difference in the different IUDs so make sure you have a good long talk with your doctor. Good luck and dont wait too long to make your decision!

Michelle - posted on 01/08/2010

i personally have been on probably at least 6 different pills, the patch, and the old lunelle shots before they pulled it. i have also gone without being on anything. i've always been much happier when on nothing and just use the condoms. it sometimes feels silly to have to use condoms when i'm married, but not one of those birth control methods i tried allowed me to feel like myself. some even caused hormonal migraines. i personally would not use an iud - it just seems really creepy to me. i am 8mo pg with our 3rd - my husband really wants to get himself 'fixed' after this one so i won't have to worry about it anymore.

Jamie - posted on 01/08/2010

I have the Paragard (copper IUD) and it is good for up to ten years instead of 5 like mirena and you can have it removed whenever you want just like the Mirena. But I also cannot have hormones due to a clotting disorder so my only choices where paragard iud and mirena iuc. The doctor told me mirena releases a hormone but only intrauterine or something like that. I love having an iud and I figured that since I could have it taken out at anytime I wanted I would just go for the ten year one just in case I were to change my mind and not want anymore kids later on I wouldnt have to go through them putting another one in again so soon.

Sharon - posted on 01/08/2010

actually there's alot of birth control offered right now..the most common birth control is injectible..you may ask your OB gyne regarding with this..there are pills for mother who is breastfeeding and there are pills not recommended for breastfeeding...the BEST person can give recommendation is our OB GYNE...kindy visit your ob..congrats and goodluck..GOD BLESS!!!

Renee - posted on 01/08/2010

I am VERY fertile so for me it is no sex or a tuba-ligation lol! I have gotten pregnant on the patch, ring, and recently the pill. Only once I had gotten pregnant within a month that I purposely stopped taking birth control because I didn't not like how it was affecting me and my body. I hear bad things about the depo shot with people gaining quite a bit of weight and/or constant bleeding for months at a time. As for the implant in the uterus my cousin lost the mother of his children due to getting toxic shock syndrome from her IUD 3yrs ago, so that I personally will stay away from. I have been pregnant 5 times in the last 8 yrs. Have 3 children, expecting my 4th in April. Only one was planned but I love them all to death. I don't know if I'm much help but good luck.

Susana - posted on 01/08/2010

Mirena IUD

Amber - posted on 01/08/2010

I wanted to use Mirena after I had my son but waited too long and i am now getting ready for baby number 2... i also used the patch for 5 years before that... im the forgetful type

Ashlee - posted on 01/08/2010

I really wish I knew what was the best... I got pregnant on birh control. Good Luck, I've chose not to go back on birth control

Kristi - posted on 01/08/2010

I recommend Mirena IUD

Callie - posted on 01/08/2010

If you plan to breastfeed then the minipill is a great option. It does not interfere with your milk supply. I think it is 80 something% effective in preventing.

Eboni - posted on 01/08/2010

When I had my daughter I had a Mirena IUD after I have my son I will get it again