OP, one option would be to get the paragard for now and then you could switch to a Mirena when you get your period back if it is too heavy. I got a paragard when DS was 7 mos and didn't get my periods for another 6 mos or so after that. They were heavier, but I'm so irregular that I didn't mind for a while. I got the Paragard out about 18 months later when the heavy periods started to bother me. Now I'm on the pill, since BF is not an issue, and thinking of getting a mirena.

I also got mine put in at about 4 months postpartum. Insertion was quick and relatively painless (just a pinching sensation for a couple seconds). I had a tiny bit of spotting the day of the insertion, and then again about 1 week later. I'm 7 months PP now and have not had a period or any additional spotting. Still breastfeeding, and no decrease in supply. I'm very happy with Mirena.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I heard the Paraguard causes heavy periods, which I'm already predisposed to. That is really scary about pregnancies with the Mirena. Honestly, how can we put a man on the moon, clone a sheep and give a guy a 4 hour erection, but there are no good birth control options???

I'd love to hear more from people about whether the Mirena affected milk supply and/or caused bleeding before you got your first period postpartum.

I got mine 4 months pp and other than spotting for the first month I've had no noticeable side effects and no drop in supply.

I love my Mirena. I had it inserted at 4 months postpartum and didn't get my period back until 12 months. It has remained very light, which is great.

I love it. Did not affect supply.

I personally wouldn't want to wait and stress about birth control for a year!

If you get one, it is very important that you check for the strings monthly. Supposedly a lot of pregnancies associated with Mirena are related to women expelling it and not noticing.

i got it 8 weeks postpartum. i'm 6 months postpartum now & still BFing & pumping successfully. my supply had no effects on it whatsoever. but the mirena did start my period and spotting and bleeding which has been annoying.

I got the Mirena (just after I stopped BF) and the first 3 months had some cramping and discomfort with irregular periods that were impossible to predict. Now 8 months later no cramping, occasional light spotting (still hard to predict.) Beats condoms and the pill, I can't
compare it to shots or the inserts.
The issue for me, that nobody seems to talk about, was can your partner feel the string? I decided NOT to tell DH about it (I think he thought removal was a semi-surgical procedure, if he didn't bother to Google it, then tough) and it took him 5 months to feel anything. Then he was like, hey, I felt something poking me! I guess it's only at certain angles. He's still game though.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had Mirena for about a year and love it and have been able to nurse the whole time. The insertion was a little uncomfortable, but I've had no side effects since and almost never get my period, which is kind of awesome. I know several friends who have it and haven't heard of any problems (or pregnancies - that's really weird. It's way more effective than the pill).

ditto

I had mine inserted 12 weeks post partum and continued to nurse until 14 months. It's been 2 years now and I'm very happy with it.

pps- I hadn't had my period yet either -- never really did- just get some spotting for a day or two every once in awhile.

Anonymous wrote:I've had Mirena for about a year and love it and have been able to nurse the whole time. The insertion was a little uncomfortable, but I've had no side effects since and almost never get my period, which is kind of awesome. I know several friends who have it and haven't heard of any problems (or pregnancies - that's really weird. It's way more effective than the pill).

ditto

I had mine inserted 12 weeks post partum and continued to nurse until 14 months. It's been 2 years now and I'm very happy with it.

I got my Mirena inserted in July, when I was 4 months pp. Had not gotten my period yet, and still BFing.

To date, I've had no side effects that I'm aware of. I still haven't gotten my period, but have had spotting here and there. Still losing weight. Still nursing. No noticeable change in pumping output, but I've never been a prolific milk producer (4 oz. every 3 hours or so).

I've had Mirena for about a year and love it and have been able to nurse the whole time. The insertion was a little uncomfortable, but I've had no side effects since and almost never get my period, which is kind of awesome. I know several friends who have it and haven't heard of any problems (or pregnancies - that's really weird. It's way more effective than the pill).

OP here. I heard the Paraguard causes heavy periods, which I'm already predisposed to. That is really scary about pregnancies with the Mirena. Honestly, how can we put a man on the moon, clone a sheep and give a guy a 4 hour erection, but there are no good birth control options???

I'd love to hear more from people about whether the Mirena affected milk supply and/or caused bleeding before you got your first period postpartum.

I had the Mirena for one month. It totally sucked. Do not get it. So many side effects and I was bleeding for the whole month and then I bled for 2 weeks after it was taken out. Google Mirena and side effects. I've heard some people like it but I hated it. Much rather be on the pill.

Why not try the Paraguard instead?

1) Haven't heard from the few Moms I know that it affected milk supply (I know 5)
2) Of those 5, three got pregnant with the IUD in and miscarried as a result of taking it out. This is obviously MUCH higher than the published rates, so I don't know if my friends are just super fertile or bad sample size.

How 'sure' are you that you are done? I would use the IUD with one other method (e.g. rhythm method or temping).

My DD is 7 months old, and I'm considering getting the Mirena. I'm 99% sure we're done with kids (baby is my second), so I'm looking for something long-term with low hormones. We've been using condoms, but that's getting old. Two issues are that I'm still nursing -- and plan to continue until baby is 1 YO -- and my period has not returned. With my first, it returned at about year, once I cut down nursing to morning and night. Anyone have the Mirena negatively affect your milk supply? Is there a reason to wait until I get my first period to have the Mirena inserted? My Ob says it's fine to get as early as 6 weeks postpartum, but I'm hesitating because I feel like my hormones are still kind of crazy with the breastfeeding and lack of a period. Thanks.