Contraception after this baby x-posted in I'm Pregnant

[Sabo]

I mentioned this on the "Are you still getting it on?" thread and wanted some input. While on bcp, I didn't realize how royally it messed up my hormones, especially related to migraines until I went off the pill. After that, I felt so much better. I do not want to go back on bcp. Right after dh and I got married, I tried to switch to a cervical cap (I was interested in the fem-cap), but my OB's office didn't have that, so they tried to fit me for a diaphragm. OMG, that was horrible! I therefore continued bcp until we started ttc.

We don't want to use condoms and I would like to use NFP, after all, I charted while trying to make this baby, so I figure I could chart to prevent making another one too soon. However I want some kind of backup to NFP for at least the first few months after this baby is born. I have not idea what to do. Do you think that I'd be able to use a cervical cap after my inability to handle having the diaphragm put in? I am able to use the keeper and have been able to check my own cervix, but the diaphragm was just WAY too much.

Thanks so much for any help!

[2sweetboysmom]

Diaphragms are huge!! I was sort of afraid if mine when I got married, eons ago. Turns out I am allergic to latex so I had good reason to be

I personally don't see having any for a loooong time But if I am ever married again I would see using mostly NFP (Pretty good at it after 10 years) with poly-condoms as back-up. I really can't see using a cervical cap. I am fine with a diva cup (but they are so much softer and flexible) Any time I have even attempted to go on the BCP (including the mini) I get horribly ill, I assume it would be the same with any hormonally based method.

[PiePie]

not comfortable relying on bfing?

[quetinha]

Originally Posted by PiePie

not comfortable relying on bfing?

I bf my ds for 22 months... but NEVER missed a period. I felt cheated!

[Jster]

Yeah, breastfeeding does wonders for me...16 mo and 17 mo pp before AF returned with the girls. But if you don't have that history...

NFP with abstaining as a backup? Or in the family planning section here lots of women use withdrawl...don't know if I'd trust it, but many have for years. I agree with you about not wanting bcp or condoms or diaphrams...uggh!

I've been debating getting my tubes tied...but not sure...

[mom22girls]

I'm an NFP-er who is Catholic and therefore I don't use back-up, but I do have a technological "back-up." I use the Persona monitor (available in the UK and maybe Canada) but it's basically the Clear Blue Fertility monitor. I've also read the book Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing (or something like that). NFP worked for me for over 10 years, BUT, as you might recall, this baby was "unplanned." That is because the Persona said "no" but me after 3 glasses of Chardonnay said, "um, okay...what are the chances " I couldn't use The Keeper, so maybe that would be a good choice for you (the cap that is, not the Keeper). I certainly wouldn't be in the mood if I had to put something like a diaphram inside me first...

PM me if you ever want more info on using the Persona or ClearBlue while breastfeeding.

[zofranland]

the fem cap is much much smaller and easier to get in and out than the diaphragm... so it should not be as uncomfortable... the sponge is making a comeback ( i attended a birth control seminar in march) but i would not be comfortable using it... i personally dont think it is reliable!

on a side note have you thought about an IUD... on the birth professional section there was a huge thread on the pros and cons of it... paragurad does not contain any hormones and provides up to 10 yrs of control ( for those who dont want to premanently commit to a tubal) but you can pulled it out whenever and you gain immediate fertility! FYI!!

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=655030

i thought this was a really great thread wiht lots of opinions! nicely balanced!

[danotoyou2]

Originally Posted by PiePie

not comfortable relying on bfing?

: Oh if only that always worked... I exclusively breastfed DS, had my period come back 6 months postpartum, and got pregnant the next month... while still breastfeeding... oh well.

Maybe the fact that my grandmother had 18 kids should have clued me into the fact that fertility runs in the family.

I also detest BCP and condoms, so will probably get a diaphragm or cervical cap. I don't think I'll be using BF and "oh, one night won't make it happen" EVER again!

[mamamoo]

Originally Posted by PiePie

not comfortable relying on bfing?

I really don't think bfing is a reliable method. With my first ds I got my cycle back 6 weeks after he was born, tandeming a 16 month old and new babe gave me a year and a half, and tandeming the last two times has given me 10 months each time. If I had been relying on breastfeeding only I would have gotten pregnant again before even having another period.

Originally Posted by zofranland

the fem cap is much much smaller and easier to get in and out than the diaphragm... so it should not be as uncomfortable... the sponge is making a comeback ( i attended a birth control seminar in march) but i would not be comfortable using it... i personally dont think it is reliable!

on a side note have you thought about an IUD... on the birth professional section there was a huge thread on the pros and cons of it... paragurad does not contain any hormones and provides up to 10 yrs of control ( for those who dont want to premanently commit to a tubal) but you can pulled it out whenever and you gain immediate fertility! FYI!!

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=655030

i thought this was a really great thread wiht lots of opinions! nicely balanced!

Not sure if they improved it or not, but my sister was concieved using the sponge.

I also have a withdrawl method baby. LOL

We are just a fertile family here. I have no clue what I will do for bc at this point. Hubby and I are working on reconciling, and I am hoping he is going to go get the vasectomy.

Oh, and bcp gave me monthly migraines, which I suffered with for 5 years as a teen before realizing that was the issue.

[Twinklefae]

I also can't use bcp, due to the fact that my cycle is 35 days. (Talk about messing with your body!) Anyway, we will likely be returning to a little bit of NFP and condoms. And we will not get cocky this time, and think "it can't happen just this once..." cuz now we know it can! (This is what happens when it takes your best friend a year and a half to conceive.)

[josybear]

dh is getting the big v. there's no such thing as good birth control and so we're skipping it.

[mommysusie]

I've used NFP for years successfully. It has always worked fine for me, so I'll be using that until I can convince hubby to get the big V.

[QueenOfThePride]

I'm considering Mirena or another IUD. We're sure we're done having babies, but not sure about permanent birth control. If, God forbid, one of our children dies, we would have another. Pretty unlikely, but we'll hold off on the surgical birth control for a few years.

[Alohamelly]

Have you been to the Planned Parenthood website? They have pretty thorough information on all of the available BC methods. Personally, I think I'd use NFP and condoms as back up IF I were going to need BC after this baby but since my husband will be gone, it's one less thing I have to worry about!

[crunchymommy26]

I had the mirena in between kids, and boy did my fertility come back quickly.

It was removed Nov3rd, we DTD ONCE in november on the 15th, and here I am! LOL

I am getting my tubes tied the day after this baby is born. My body can not handle another pregnancy, and I'm prone to cysts, so I don't want another mirena, and the paraguard can cause heavier bleeding (mine is heavy enough on it's own thankyouverymuch!)

[PiePie]

Originally Posted by mamamoo

I really don't think bfing is a reliable method. With my first ds I got my cycle back 6 weeks after he was born, tandeming a 16 month old and new babe gave me a year and a half, and tandeming the last two times has given me 10 months each time. If I had been relying on breastfeeding only I would have gotten pregnant again before even having another period.

thanks for sharing. hmmmm

[mamamoo]

Originally Posted by PiePie

thanks for sharing. hmmmm

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have laughed, I actually thought you were joking though. There are lots of mamas on mdc that have more babies really early because of relying on bfing as bc. I really think there are a lot of factors that contribute. I think in this country where we have more than enough food and good water and stuff our fertility comes back faster. Also all it takes is for baby to sleep for 5-6 hours(or less for some) one night, and you can begin to ovulate. It is just kind of tough to rely soley on that. I'm not sure if charting is reliable while breastfeeding or not, but that might be an option...

[lyttlewon]

I really want to get an IUD but I am allergic to metal and I am so afraid my body will react poorly to it. I haven't figured out if I want to try it or not. I believe my insurance would cover it.

Mamamoo from what I understand the sponge is best used in conjunction with something else like a condom.

[mamamoo]

Originally Posted by lyttlewon

I really want to get an IUD but I am allergic to metal and I am so afraid my body will react poorly to it. I haven't figured out if I want to try it or not. I believe my insurance would cover it.

Mamamoo from what I understand the sponge is best used in conjunction with something else like a condom.

Yeah, I guess I would rather just go with the condom. My mom said the sponge is messy. Plus I hate spermicides and stuff.

I will have to talk to him about the V. He should get it done either way anyway...5 kiddos is plenty in his eyes too, obviously. LOL

[sagira]

No sex for the first four months, after that condoms, when my period returns back to FAM (Fertility Awareness Method).