Postpartum birth control

[WifeofAnt]

I have no clue where this is supposed to go... but I'm super undecided.

DH and I plan to use condoms until he deploys (baby will be 2 months at most) and during leave but I'm looking for a birth control that I can start using to be prepared for when he comes home again.

We're not sure yet how long the deployment is going to be but the LO should be between 11 and 15 months when he gets back so there's a chance I'll still be breastfeeding (hopefully we make it that long!! ). It doesn't have to be *super* breastfeeding friendly because my supply will be well established by then but I don't want anything too harsh.

Just a few things. One, no pills. I can't do pills. Two, No Depo! I'd like to stay at a normal weight and have children sometime in the future, lol. Three, no forms which use implantation prevention as the primary mechanism (no IUDs).

What's really left? Nuvaring and Ortho Evra have estrogen... Implanon? I'd like to be able to use FAM but DH and I really don't want to have another one until this one is in school and I don't really trust myself to monitor myself for that long without slipping up.

[rparker]

If you've already ruled out both kinds of IUD, condoms plus spermicide are probably the most effective (and safest) form of non-permanent birth control. The sponge is back on the market, but I have no clue what the statistics for pregnancy prevention are with that... it might be an option?

[pacificbliss]

Hmm, that dosn't leave a whole lot. I would think maybe Nuvaring or something like it would be your best bet. Why are you worried about the estrogen?

[WifeofAnt]

Well since I might still be breastfeeding I don't want to totally crash my supply.

[rparker]

You could try using this tool on the Planned Parenthood website and see what comes up. I tried it for myself though and it a) doesn't take into account breastfeeding and b) claims the Mirena IUD works by effecting the way sperm move (not implantation prevention)... so it probably won't help you that much, but it might be worth a try.

[pacificbliss]

I would think you would be ok with the low dose locally, definitely would not want to take a systemic dose (like in a pill or patch) but my understanding is the local dose of estrogen won't hurt supply. I have not tried it myself though.

just thought of this...What about a cervical cap?

[WifeofAnt]

Originally Posted by pacificbliss

just thought of this...What about a cervical cap?

I don't think I could accept a 29 out of 100 failure rate.



Does anyone know anything about Implanon?

[MyFullHouse]

Well, I don't think that leaves many methods with high success rates.

My understanding is that Nuvaring works the same way the pill does, but I have no experience with it.

About 9 years ago, we used vaginal contraceptive film for 6-8 months. It was far from my favorite, but preferable to condoms. Most importantly, it WORKED for us, which is saying a lot if you know my conception history!

[nia82]

We use FAM and condoms with great success. Both babies were planned and no oops. HOwver you cannot use that until you have your period back. We used condoms all the time until AF returned, and then only employed them throughout the dangerous days, however we definetely added some days to the danger zone, so we were very careful. Not all that bad in my opinion! I don't think that FAM has a low success rate if employed correctly! I also added for the first few months ovulation tests (cheapo from Amazon) to my regimen to verify my ovulation date and signs and then got very acquainted with the method.
I used to take the pill a long time ago and it made me apathic, like I couldn't be happy nor sad, just indifferent. Very weird. Nobody would ever get me to take any hormones ever again! Implanon is hormones too, just as Mirena.

[MammaB21]

Can you use a combination of FAM and non hormonal birth control? Like the cervical cap or condoms + spermicide and then avoidance during your predicted fertile time? It's kind of a lot to do, but it sounds like it might be most effective for you. This is what we plan to do. At least until I come up with a better plan....

Like you, I have issues with all other forms of BC. I HATE hormonal BC. It makes me crazy. I can't handle the thought of an IUD hanging out in my uterus. It gives me the heebie jeebies and I'm not comfortable with the risks involved if the method fails. I've tried Depo and it made me bleed for over a month. Not to mention it made me feel pregnant, complete with morning sickness and sensitivity to smell. It was horrible. I guess there aren't many options for gals like us, huh?

ETA: It looks like the diaphram is slightly more effective than the cervical cap. You go in and have it fitted to you specifically. I'm going to be stocking this thread as well to watch for other ideas.

[lis0928]

Given your constraints, I would suggest a diaphragm.

I would NOT recommend condoms + charting, says the woman who is eight months pregnant with a baby conceived after (1) illness threw my cycle off and (2) a condom broke three-four days before I "should" have ovulated per my charting.

[WifeofAnt]

I was just starting to think of the diaphragm. It seems pretty old fashioned (wiki says 0.2% of american women used it in 2002 compared to 1/3 in the 1940s) but seems to have a relatively balanced safety vs effectiveness.

Add: We haven't had any condoms 'break' but we had quite a few slip off when I tightened my muscles down there. I really didn't think I had the strength or the grip at the time!

[Mrs-Mama]

I've used a diaphragm for BC since our first child was born. I love it. No pills, no hormones, no condoms getting in the way. Neither of us feel the diaphragm, the only draw back is that you do have to remember to use it, but that's never been an issue for us. I recommend it 100%

[MariposaMami]

The Creighton Model of Fertility Care! When I showed my chart to my gynecologist she was so impressed at the detail! It has been so empowering to learn this method of fertility care. We love it!

Here's a link:
http://www.creightonmodel.com/

[Altair]

I've used the diaphragm, but that's how my son got here unexpectedly! If you really don't want to get pregnant, it's a pretty high failure rate.

The Nuvaring is still a lot of hormones. It also dried me out terribly and made sex just not so fun because of that, even with lube I still just didn't feel good.

I'm very, very happy with the copper IUD.

[Turquesa]

Originally Posted by Altair

I've used the diaphragm, but that's how my son got here unexpectedly! If you really don't want to get pregnant, it's a pretty high failure rate.

With perfect use (including the application of spermacide and not removing it prematurely), it has a 94% success rate. I used it for years, but since childbirth, my pelvic floor has become too (ahem!) restructured. Otherwise, I'd still be using it.

This will probably get moved to the family planning subforum. If not, OP, you should try cross-posting over there.

[RedOakMomma]

I didn't want hormones or an IUD (we got twins with that method ), so between babies we've been using condoms, spermicidal foam (it comes in easy applicators), and I pay visual attention to my fertility cues--so no sex when I'm obviously having EWCM. It's worked well.

Now that we're done, though, it's the big V time!

[MidwifeErika]

There is always the FemCap, which according to their website has a pretty good success rate.

[phathui5]

We've been using condoms successfully since baby #4 (who's now three years old). I don't like the idea of using hormonal birth control and neither of us wants to do anything permanant, so it's condoms for us.

[BlackSheepPDX]

Originally Posted by Altair

I've used the diaphragm, but that's how my son got here unexpectedly! If you really don't want to get pregnant, it's a pretty high failure rate.

I'm very, very happy with the copper IUD.

I'm awaiting the arrival of a copper IUD baby. Everything can fail.