Birth Control While Breastfeeding?

[Anonymous]

I had my mirena and it didn't effect my supply at all. The hormones in it are miniscule compared to the pill and they are all localized, unlike with the pill. I only had it for 2 years and it was worth it, I loved not having to think about bc at all-- I had enough on my mind! Fertility returned to normal nearly instantly, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, are you kidding?

You're friend got pregnant on BC while breastfeeding? Oy!

Does breastfeeding/hormones lessen the quality or effectiveness of birth control?

I wouldn't be surprised if she was taking the mini pill which requires you to be extra vigilant and take it at the same time every day. Or she could have had a drug interaction with an antibiotic. It can happen.

[Anonymous]

Any info on using the Nuva Ring while BFing?

[Anonymous]

I took the mini-pill while breastfeeding my second child and had no change in milk supply or another other negative side effects - except I got pregnant with my third child. My second was 9 months old. Before it happened to me, I'd aways scoffed at the idea of women getting pregant while taking BCPs. I had a lot of experience taking BCPs, I didn't have my first child until I was 37. I knew I had to take the pill the same time every day and I did. I'm a creature of routine (especially with 2 kids age 2 and under and DH and I working FT). When DD was about 11 months old (and still BFing) and still no period, I thought I ought to take a pregancy test. Sure enough, it was positive. I later learned there was like a 1 in 200 chance of getting pregant while taking it but I was 40 and breastfeeding, the odds of getting pregnant should have been higher. Afterwards, a number of other women shared that they, too, had gotten pregant while taking it or someone close to them had. I wouldn't discourage anyone from taking it but you should know it's not as effective as other methods.

BTW - I had to have a scheduled C-section with the third. I got my tubes tied at the same time!