what's a good birth control method while breastfeeding?

Alison - posted on 06/22/2009

IUD is a very safe method of brith control for most people. I would double check with your provider that it won't reduce your milk supply. It worked for me, but I have heard of people having problems with it. My advice is that give it chance for a couple of months. If it works for you then it will probably work pain free for 5 years. If you are feeling any pain in that area after a couple of months ask for it to be removed.

Ruth - posted on 06/22/2009

Quoting Nicole:

You know, an IUD seems like the best option, but I don't know how I feel about having something "up there". And I only need something for a year since we'll be trying for baby #2 next summer.

Once it's "up there" you can't feel it and they're extremely simple to remove - literally takes seconds! I had mine taken out after two years to start trying for another baby and I got pregnant straight away.

I got one because I was breast feeding and I didn't like the thought of passing hormones in my milk to my baby. I know I'd prefer to have a very small piece of plastic inside of me then lots of artificial hormomes.

Amy - posted on 06/22/2009

Quoting Lori:

The only thing about charting your cycle to pinpoint ovulation, is that you can ovulate more than once a month. My sister and her husband tried that method and she still ended up pregnant 6 months after she had her son. The only way to make sure is to use another form of birth control like the pill or condoms.

You cannot ovulate twice in one cycle. If you have very short cycles, then in terms of the calendar yes you could ovulate twice in one MONTH, but it is not possible to ovulate twice in one CYCLE. You are mistaken.

Korean - posted on 06/21/2009

Oh.....and this is my second time having an IUD. I'm sure different body types, have different effects on certain birth control methods. But after my second daughter, once I was ready to try for my third, I became pregnant two months after having the IUD removed!!! I like it!

Korean - posted on 06/21/2009

The birth control method that I fell in love with, once I had my last daughter is the IUD. I had it put in when my daughter was 6 weeks old, and have had it every since. It has no effect on breastfeeding babies, as well as you dont have to try to remember to take it daily, or go to the docs for a shot. I breastfed my last daughter for one year with the contraceptive, before I weened her from the breast. They have the 5 year and the 10 year one, and all you have to do is go every 6 months to have it checked to make sure its still in place. I have had no complaints over the past two and a half years that I've had it.

Lori - posted on 06/21/2009

The only thing about charting your cycle to pinpoint ovulation, is that you can ovulate more than once a month. My sister and her husband tried that method and she still ended up pregnant 6 months after she had her son. The only way to make sure is to use another form of birth control like the pill or condoms.

Cassie - posted on 06/21/2009

You could call your doctor and asked to be put back on the mini pill. My doctor tried to switch me to the regular birth control and also suggested and IUD but my husband and I will be trying for our next this winter. I told my doctor that I was afraid the regular birth control would cause too much of a drop in my milk supply so she agreed to have me stay on the mini pill. My daughter is eight months old and still nurses six times a day so I didn't want a drop in my supply. If you continue to take the mini pill, there is a slightly higher chance of pregnancy as the regular pill offers 99% effectiveness while the mini pill only offers 96% but my husband and I believe that breastfeeding and keeping my milk supply up is worth the 3% drop in effectiveness.

Emilie - posted on 06/21/2009

It might be different now but I was told an IUD could do enough damage to make it much more difficult to have another bub. I used on after baby no.2 and haven't tried for another so am not sure if this is so. I had it removed as it seemed to flare up very mild endometriosis (is that how you spell that?) and that caused me pain.
After baby no.1 I wanted to have no. 2 soon after. I was told the mini pill was the best option and it was effective with no side effects and didn't seem to hinder my ability to fall pregnant.
I would stick with the pill if it is what you know just the milder version of it so it doesn't affect anything else. ;-p

Nicole - posted on 06/21/2009

You know, an IUD seems like the best option, but I don't know how I feel about having something "up there". And I only need something for a year since we'll be trying for baby #2 next summer.

Tiffany - posted on 06/21/2009

Have you considered an IUD? Intra-Uterine Device? The specific one I think that is most recommended for women with children is Mirena- health provider will know. I know several women who have one and love it. No hormones to worry about, they are good for about 5 years I think, and if you want to have another baby, you can have it removed and are fertile immediatly. I would definently make an appointment to see your doctor and see what they say and if you are a good candidate, explain the IUD better, risks so on so forth. Good Luck!

Tiffany - posted on 06/21/2009

Have you considered an IUD? Intra-Uterine Device? The specific one I think that is most recommended for women with children is Mirena- health provider will know. I know several women who have one and love it. No hormones to worry about, they are good for about 5 years I think, and if you want to have another baby, you can have it removed and are fertile immediatly. I would definently make an appointment to see your doctor and see what they say and if you are a good candidate, explain the IUD better, risks so on so forth. Good Luck!

Amy - posted on 06/21/2009

You can try Natural Family Planning - charting your basal body temperature to pinpoint ovulation. If you do it correctly (you have to be careful and really stick to it) it's extremely effective. Basically, you either abstain when you're fertile or use a birth control method like condoms. Once you have confirmed ovulation you can have all the sex you want, because once you've ovluated you're not going to be fertile again for the rest of that cycle. Read the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility to get all the basics.