Post Baby Contraception

[Jennifer H]

Well, this is the first time, since being married that I have been in this position. This is our last baby. We do not want anymore children after this one. Before it's always been, well, we aren't looking to get pregnant, but if we do it is okay. Well, this time it won't be okay.

DH is planning a vasectomy, but I'd like him to wait until the baby is a few months old before we do that (sounds morbid, but I know, from working in hospice, that a lot of terrible diagnoses are made in those first months and don't want to do anything permanent until we get past that stage).

So, the question becomes, what to do in the meantime?!

I was charting for a couple of months when we conceived this little one. My chart never showed ovulation that month... but my growing belly tells a different tale!

Since I was new at charting we were also using condoms. Guess what, condoms break.

I took the mini-pill after ds#1, but I felt terrible on it.

I will be breastfeeding so that eliminates a whole host of choices.

I have had unprotected sex exactly three months of my life. One when ds#1 was conceived. One when ds#2 was conceived. And one (protected, but didn't work) when this one was conceived. I am the definition of fertile.

Is abstinence our only choice?

Sorry if TMI, but this has been weighing heavily on me the past week or two.

[sandrajoon]

we are in the same boat, Jenn. Already post-partum, seeing doc next week for 6 week pp visit, and its my #1 question. If I get any good tips I'll let you know. The Merina IUD (have i got the name right?) is a big seller now, but i won't do contraception that terminates a pregnancy after conception.

hope that you find something that works for you.

[oceanbaby]

I have no idea. I hate the idea of surgery. Even though vasectomies can be reversed, it still bothers me. I am a big "what if" kind of person. I definitely won't have surgery - if anyone does, it will be dh.

From when ds was born until we purposefully conceived our 2nd (2.5yrs later) we used condoms. It sucked. We've been together for 14 years and we're using condoms. Puhleez!

I really don't know what we'll do when we think we're all done. I was always fine taking the pill, but don't know if I want to do that for so many years.

[Mamma2Addison]

Hmm, hadn't thought much about it yet. I took the mini-pill after ds was born but felt awful on it so that's out, plus I really don't like taking anything while breastfeeding. I'm thinking I may go back to a diaphragm {sp?}. Really not sure about it. Truth be told, I was so sore for so long I don't want to fiddle with that area too much which really only leaves condoms initially.

Dh has mentioned a vasectomy, but I'm not in too much of a rush for that, partially for the same reason but also because we're not 100% sure we're really done yet.

Good luck in whatever you decide!

[Artisan]

I took the minipill, but didn't have the problems you're describing. The PP mentioned the Mirena IUD, which is marketed toward moms and is good for five years (or whenever you decide to take it out). Otherwise, it's diaphragm, condom, spermicide, or a combo while you're BFing.

Or, hey, what about the sponge? You can buy them online.

[kris1225]

Quick vote for IUD here. My MW 'installs' them and has had success with it in her patients...

Did FAM between #1 and #2 but it is so difficult to do when nursing all night long (IMHO) and I got my period back at 9 months so so much for BF only as a way of preventing pregnancy....

[Foobar]

We did a modified FAM and used condoms during my fertile periods. It worked, I think. We had infertility before Goo and we conceived Moo in record time, 4 months (with a m/c the month before!)

[jondee0]

I think I understand about not wanting the get the V done too soon after the birth. Dh and I have been talking about him getting one done, but while he's ready today, I don't want to do anything so permanent until this baby's not only born, but about a year old! A little voice in the back of my head keeps saying, but what if something happens to this baby?

We've just used the lactational amenorrhea method until the baby is around one year old, and then used a combination of NFP and condoms. But, after having so many children and seen what is "normal" for me, I can feel really confident that I won't start menstruating after birth for 13 to 22 months. I know not everyone feels that confident, or wants to take *any* chances! There are a number of really good online articles about LAM; you can run a search for "lactational amenorrhea" and get a bunch of hits.

Joni, due 7-17

[bikruca]

I am thinking of getting an IUD myslef, but need more time to look it over,

the "family planning" forum has some great threads

[mLeroux]

I have not posted an intro of myself but this is my first time on the July board. Im due July 7th with my 4th and this is something dh has already mentioned. We are not saying we are done for good after this one but def. want to take a break. I was doing natural family planning (couple to couple league) and although I got pg this time (When I was using this method) I knew we were risking it the day we did what we did, meaning if I really knew we HAD TO avoid getting PG I would have used a condom that day. DH does not trust me though and we're not too found of condoms so I dont know...anyway my point is for those of you who still use condoms or will I just wanted to tell you that you should try the polyurathane condems instead of latex. They are much better. Thinner and pass body heat better. I would get yeast infections when I would use th latex so I know

Michelle

[majazama]

I was using NFP during the time that both my babies were conceived... but I knew what was going on the first time (), the second time, now, I didn't know I was pregnant for a couple of weeks... I do not think it is a very reliable method.

I used to use condoms with my partner, but we didn't like them either.... and the thing that I am interested in now, even though I don't live with the babies father, but we plan on getting back together in some time... is a vasectomy.... I'm just way too fertile to bother with NFP.....

Vasectomies can be reversed.... my partner knows of a guy who's had -----6----- vasectomies, and reversals, and he has 6 kids with various women, he got it reversed when they'd want to have a baby. Don't ask me the specifics on that one, it was second hand info, but sounds to me that it is reversable pretty easily.