[7swans]

Hi all,<br><br>
My OB brought up the subject of contraception at my last visit, and I had to admit that I didn't really have a plan. She recommended Mirena, gave me a script, told me to think about it, and said I could have it filled before my 6 or 10 week PP visit and she could insert it. She also said that I could go back to my regular BCP and that the estrogen would not be likely to affect my milk supply. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/headscratch.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="headscratch"> This is contrary to what I have read, so I decided to look into it.<br><br>
I've read both good and bad things about pretty much every form of BC - IUD, mini-pill, Nuvaring, etc. Here are my two main concerns: 1) I plan on nursing for at least 24 months and I do not want to risk messing up my supply, and 2) I am overweight and I don't want any hormonal BC to be a roadblock in losing weight. I have managed to get through 37 weeks or pregnancy without gaining weight (though I eat healthily and heartily), and I want to use this as a head start to get healthy for my child. I'm not a little bit overweight - I am at a very unhealthy weight and I want to be able to keep up with my daughter.<br><br>
At this point, I am considering charting and using condoms, though I tend to get more frequent yeast infections while using them. Can anyone who has dealt with similar issues recommend something or share experiences? Thanks in advance!

 

[readytobedone]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>7swans</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/15365898"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Hi all,<br><br>
My OB brought up the subject of contraception at my last visit, and I had to admit that I didn't really have a plan. She recommended Mirena, gave me a script, told me to think about it, and said I could have it filled before my 6 or 10 week PP visit and she could insert it. She also said that I could go back to my regular BCP and that the estrogen would not be likely to affect my milk supply. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/headscratch.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="headscratch"> This is contrary to what I have read, so I decided to look into it.<br><br>
I've read both good and bad things about pretty much every form of BC - IUD, mini-pill, Nuvaring, etc. Here are my two main concerns: 1) I plan on nursing for at least 24 months and I do not want to risk messing up my supply, and 2) I am overweight and I don't want any hormonal BC to be a roadblock in losing weight. I have managed to get through 37 weeks or pregnancy without gaining weight (though I eat healthily and heartily), and I want to use this as a head start to get healthy for my child. I'm not a little bit overweight - I am at a very unhealthy weight and I want to be able to keep up with my daughter.<br><br>
At this point, I am considering charting and using condoms, though I tend to get more frequent yeast infections while using them. Can anyone who has dealt with similar issues recommend something or share experiences? Thanks in advance!</div>
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What about the non-hormonal IUD (Paraguard)? Shouldn't affect nursing at all, or weight.

 

[*MamaJen*]

It's definitely true that every kind of birth control out there has pluses and minuses.<br>
From what I've heard, if someone is sensitive to hormonal BC, they'll be sensitive to Mirena. I really try to stay away from hormonal BC for a lot of reasons, the most compelling one being that it utterly destroys my libido.<br>
If you did an IUD, you could try sticking with just a copper one. That's what I have, and it's been great. No cramping; slightly heavier bleeding the first few months, though now after about six months its pretty much back to normal. Some woman have a really bad time with cramping and bleeding with the copper IUD, others don't. You sort of just have to try it out to know how you'll respond.<br>
Some other options could be:<br>
--charting + diaphragm + spermicide (+ withdraw during peak fertility)<br>
--charting + condoms (+ withdraw during peak fertility)<br>
--charting + withdrawal during non fertile times, plus condoms during peak fertility

 

[7swans]

The copper IUD might not be a bad idea. I worry that it might cause yeast infections in addition to heavy cramping, etc. - but I suppose that's something that I would have to try out and see how it affects me. I'll have to call my insurance and find out what my co-pay would be, and if it's not too much I may try it out.<br><br>
Spermicide is a no-go because of my sensitivities. It's so bad that so far, I have found <i>one</i> type of lube that doesn't bother me. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/irked.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="irked"><br><br>
I'll discuss withdrawal with my partner (in combination with other methods, of course), but I'm pretty sure we would be bad at following through on that. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment"><br><br>
I will also add that I took Yasmin for years without any noticeable issues (except, y'know, getting pregnant). I seemed to lose and gain weight on it as I normally would, though I've been on HBC for the better part of the last 7 years, so who knows really?

 

[*MamaJen*]

Good luck finding a method that works for you and your partner. I still think that if guys were responsible for birth control, there would be a perfect method out there.<br>
I've heard that a lot of women notice a really big increase in their libido a month or two after going off hormonal birth control.

 

[Katie T]

I have had paragard for almost 2 yrs and I do like it. I have a 22m nursling and have never had a issue with supply (it doesn't effect supply). I do have mid cycle cramping but only for a day and it is intermittent like 4 cramps a that day. In the beginning my periods were really heavy I won't lie. But now my periods are very light and sometimes only spotting.<br><br>
I was really nervous to get it, inserting it didn't hurt, a tiny pinch and mild cramping for a day or so. But I am glad I got it put in.<br><br>
I wouldn't have a mirena because of things I have read.