Birth control and breastfeeding???

[twins+1]

I'm curious what women are using for birth control methods here? I've been considering an IUD, but there are pros/cons for both ParaGard (no hormones/heavier bleeding) and Mirena (hormones/less bleeding). My top concern is

1. It better not effect my breastfeeding relationship with my baby (4 mos old)

My husband and I are 90% sure we are complete with 3 children, but we aren't ready to make any final commitments with our fertility. I do know how to read my ovulation signs, and part of me feels like it *could* (correct me if I'm wrong) be better to just allow my body to cycle like it normally would each month. However, something like an IUD is so expensive and since we've met our insurance deductible with the birth this year, I could have an IUD inserted and not have to pay anything.

I'm up for opinions/suggestions (IUD and non-IUD). I want something that is healthy for me and baby, good for breastfeeding and reversible (just in case). Thank you!

[MountainMamaGC]

We use condoms or Vaginal Contraceptive film. Condoms are for quickies and and VCF is for when we have an all out romantic night and we dont want to use a condom. I like VCF because you can put it in up to 3 hours ahead of time and both me and my DH cant feel it. I dont like what hormones do to my sex drive and I am not a good candidate for IUD because I am a high risk for infection from being immunocompromised.

[justKate]

I started the mini pill 8 wks PP, but stopped taking it about two months ago. DD is 7.5 months now and while she's EBF and still no AF, I suppose I could get pregnant. If i were to go back on something I would do the mini pill. Are you opposed to hormonal contraceptives?

[sparklefairy]

Originally Posted by Lydiah

We use condoms or Vaginal Contraceptive film. Condoms are for quickies and and VCF is for when we have an all out romantic night and we dont want to use a condom. I like VCF because you can put it in up to 3 hours ahead of time and both me and my DH cant feel it. I dont like what hormones do to my sex drive and I am not a good candidate for IUD because I am a high risk for infection from being immunocompromised.

I would not feel confident using VCF alone. Planned Parenthood quotes a 30% failure rate for spermicide alone.

I've used it in conjunction with condoms and been okay with that method.

[ShwarmaQueen]

I used NFP before this pregnancy (to prevent and concieve) but I'm in the same boat as you are for after delivery. NFP is much harder while nursing, so I'm considering just using pullout until my first PP AF, then using the copper IUD since it's nonhormonal.

[twins+1]

I am trying to avoid hormones as much as possible...

I did make an appointment for the paraguard insertion in November. It'll give me a couple months to make sure that is what I'm comfortable with, but in the meantime I have an appointment set.

[1stBabyAt39]

I went with the ParaGard IUD, since I heard that a small amount of hormones from the Mirena could be detected in breast milk. So far it's been fine (going on 2 months now). Since I'm BFing, I haven't had a period yet, so I don't know yet how the cramping will be. But the insertion was quick and I only had minor cramping afterwards.

[LemonPie]

FWIW, I've heard that a lot of women find that the cramping/heavy bleeding gets better after about 6 months on the Paragard.

Paragard here. I'm actually on my second one, I love it so much. I haven't had any issues with heavier bleeding/cramping, but I got it put in early PP both times and then didn't get a period until 14 months and 10.5 months respectively, so I sometimes wonder if it truly didn't affect me that way or if I just missed that six month 'window'.

In any case, I'm REALLY happy with it. No thought required whatsoever, I can TTC the same day it's pulled, etc.

[GardenStream]

I've got the paragard. I can't/don't use any hormones because of migraines. I've have the IUD about 8 or 9 months now. My youngest is 17 months old and I'm still waiting for my PP AF to arive, so I can't say anything about cramping or heavier bleeding.

[twins+1]

My Dr's office called today and reminded me to check with my insurance cause the paraguard is $1,000.00 and most insurances don't cover it. I did call before-hand and our insurance said it would be 100% cause I have met our deductible, but I will call again to make sure. Sheesh. Why is a little thing like that $1,000!?

[GardenStream]

Originally Posted by twins+1

My Dr's office called today and reminded me to check with my insurance cause the paraguard is $1,000.00 and most insurances don't cover it. I did call before-hand and our insurance said it would be 100% cause I have met our deductible, but I will call again to make sure. Sheesh. Why is a little thing like that $1,000!?

My doc's office told me that I should go to planned parenthood if my insurance wouldn't cover it because PP can do them for half the price of a regular doctor's office. Luckily for me, my insurance did cover it 100% (I have Aetna).

[twins+1]

Originally Posted by atobols

My doc's office told me that I should go to planned parenthood if my insurance wouldn't cover it because PP can do them for half the price of a regular doctor's office. Luckily for me, my insurance did cover it 100% (I have Aetna).

Thanks!

[ShwarmaQueen]

Originally Posted by twins+1

My Dr's office called today and reminded me to check with my insurance cause the paraguard is $1,000.00 and most insurances don't cover it. I did call before-hand and our insurance said it would be 100% cause I have met our deductible, but I will call again to make sure. Sheesh. Why is a little thing like that $1,000!?

That would be so dumb if they didn't cover it. I mean, 10 years worth of BC for $1000?? That's a bargain for them! Childbirth is easily triple that (for a MW) and BC alone would be in the thousands... I hope they would cover it!

[jjbucks123]

Hormones in BW / Paragard effectiveness

I just love our forums as I always find opinions on issues affecting me!
I just had our third baby and am 7 weeks PP and am probably going to get the Paragard - I was supposed to get it tomorrow but had to reschedule it for a few weeks from now. That's good because I still had a few questions.

First, can you have unprotected sex right away?
If so, then why do I have to come back for an ultrasound in a month?
Should I use a back-up method for the first month?
Doubt I can conceive b/c I BF exclusively but won't take any chances since I am fertile mertile.

Second, I wouldn't mind the progesterone-only pill but really want to avoid hormones - I keep asking if they affect baby and she insists that they don't but after my first baby and experience, I don't want to risk it again.
Can someone post me a link that cites evidence of the hormone in breastmilk? I am needing to do more research on this area. If I could find evidence that it doesn't affect baby ( that convinces me ) maybe I won't go with the IUD.....
Any help is appreciated!

[moaningminny]

I had my Mirena inserted 3 months postpartum. I didn't notice any issue at all with my milk supply. I bled lightly for 3 months and have not had any bleeding since. That was almost 2.5 years ago.

I went the IUD route because we too were only 99 % sure we were done, and didn't want to do anything permanent. I also have endometriosis, so I didn't want to risk any heavier bleeding than I already dealt with, and was afraid that may happen with the copper IUD.

Although it does seem expensive, it lasts for 5 years so for me it was actually cheaper than birth control pills if you take the length of time that it lasts into account.

I will be getting another one inserted when this one is reaches the 5 years.