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Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Birth Control While Breastfeeding?
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Anonymous
| Some of the previous posts got me wondering about the reliability of the mini-pill. What are others using for BC while breastfeeding? Has anyone looked into the various IUDs? Are they safe if you're thinking of having another child within a few years? Advice? |
Anonymous
| I'm going to look into the IUD as well when I'm breastfeeding because I believe the pill can reduce your milk supply. I have heard that there have been great improvements in the IUD lately, and they are much safer than they used to be. |
Anonymous
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I got the Mirena IUD about 3 months post-partum, and breastfed sucessfully to 13 months. It didn't affect my supply at all. I LOVE THIS IUD. Seriously, you owe it to yourself to consider it strongly and ask your provider about it. I love not thinking about birth control. It hasn't made me gain weight the way the pill did. My periods are really light and short now.
The one downside -- the pill kept my skin a little clearer. Mirena only has a small amount of hormone and it's specifically targeted to your uterus, so you don't get hormones coursing through your system. Which is nice, because those systemic hormones are what can affect breastmilk production, but they're also what can improve your acne. Even considering that, I am really happy with my IUD. I'm going to have it taken it out when we are ready to TTC (which will mean I'll have it in a total of about 2.5 years), and then I'm planning to get another one after I have my next child. They told me it stops affecting your fertility as soon as they take it out. You can also get a copper IUD (Paragard), which is entirely hormone-free; don't have experience with that one. I know that one can last longer, I think up to 10 years. Mirena lasts up to 5 years. But again, you can have it take out any time. LOVE IT. |
Anonymous
| Thanks Mirena user. I am pregnant with #2 right now (an accident) and have already been researching BC. It's good to know that Mirena has been a good experience for you while breastfeeding because I have been leaning towards Mirena for after the baby. |
Anonymous
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I went on the mini pill (until I stopped nursing my son when he was 7 months) after having my 2nd (a contraception malfunction- not the pill, though) and it worked great-- I was sure to take it at the same time every night religiously, though. It takes me about 2 seconds to get pregnant and it's been 18 months since my son was born so it and now Yasmin are doing their job!
My milk supply was unnaffected-- My son was about 20 pounds at 6 months excusively breasfed- He was 7 lb. 13 oz at birth... |
Anonymous
| I got the Mirena after #2 as well. I haven't been one of the lucky ones with shorter, lighter periods, but I love it anyway. I'm lucky if I remember to eat breakfast every day...there is NO WAY I would have remembered to take a pill at the same time every day. One bit of advice I wish I had followed...if you are going to do it, the sooner after delivery, the better (not immediately, of course; but I waited close to 6 months). If I remember correctly, the sooner you do it, the more likely you are to have lighter/shorter periods from the get-go. |
HrCreuzi
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We double up and use a diaphragm and condoms. That way we avoid using any hormones and we both have to do something 
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Anonymous
| I'm one of the Mirena users. I should mention that between pregnancies, we just used condoms. I didn't see the point in doing much else because I knew I wanted my kids to be pretty close in age (and worst case scenario, I figured, I'd get pregnant sooner than I intended). |
Anonymous
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I'm starting up this old post. I'm preparing to have my third DC and am considering all the birth control options out there.
While I'm pretty sure we're not going to have any more kids, I've ruled out having my tubes tied and no vasectomy for my husband. Since I'm going to be breastfeeding, I want something that doesn't interfere with that whole process and simultaneously doesn't make me gain weight. I've heard great things about Mirena but I also know that it can end up causing some problems. What's the magic answer? |
Anonymous
| bump |
Anonymous
| But about the mirena, many people experience a drop in milk supply while using it, so while some people above say that isn't an issue, it is something to consider. Since I've been bf, I decided not to get the mirena until we're done because of that. I believe you can get the iud, but just get the paragard, and it doesn't affect your milk supply. We're currently using condoms which kind of sucks, but I figure it will be just for a little while. |
Anonymous
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I'm the PP from 01/06/2008 21:18 (I recognize my happy ranting, ha). FWIW, I got my Mirena when my baby was 3 months old and I breastfed for another 10 months after that with no problems. I eventually had it taken out and conceived #2 within 2 months. I'm definitely getting another one once #2 is born.
The upside of Paragard is that it lasts 10 years as opposed to Mirena's 5 years (you can get either one taken out at any time, that's just the maximum time you can have it in), and Paragard has no hormones. The downside is that Paragard can make your periods heavier, whereas Mirena usually makes them lighter. |
Anonymous
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What exactly is Mirena?
(Sounds like she wants to be your best friend.) I do mean to ask, what's in it? |
Anonymous
MY FRIEND GOT PREGNANT TAKING BIRTH CONTROL PILLS WHILE BREAST FEEDING HER BABY. BE EXTRA CAREFULL! |
Anonymous
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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? |