I had another appointment with the doctor today....I asked about birth control and how soon I would be able to start taking a form of it after I have the baby. I'm probably going to go with the Depo-Provera (As I'm sure remembering the pill with a new baby will be real difficult, and I don't want to chance another baby so soon). The doctor told me that if I went with the shot, I could be administered one before leaving the hospital after giving birth. I told him I would be breastfeeding....or atleast I'm going to try (I have BF class appointments set up for the extra help in the whole 'latching on' how-to). He said that the DP won't affect my breastmilk, but I've heard that only a certain type of BC (The mini-pill) can be taken while breastfeeding. Do any of you mamas know anything about this? I know he is the doctor....but sometimes I need to hear things from other sources before I make a choice....a second opinion, I guess. He also brought up the possibility of an IUD. I've heard they aren't good for women who are heavy bleeders in the menstral department (Mine are super heavy and loads of really harsh cramps....even when I was on the pill the cramps were unbelievable), but he told me they're actually really good for women that bleed heavily. I've also read that they can grow into the uterus....wouldn't that make it near impossible to have anymore children?
Get Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler and go with natural family planning (basically body awareness)...That way you don't have to worry about hormones effecting your breastmilk, your periods, or plastic pieces growing into your uterus....
My doc offered me an IUD after I hasd Leane, and at first it sounded wonderful, but only if I wasn't breastfeeding. From what I understand, there are three types, Progestasert IUD, which releases progesterone and thickens the cervical mucous so that the egg can't be fertilized. There is the copper IUD, which stops the sperm from making their way through the fallopian tubes. And there's the Intrauterine system, or Marina, which releases a hormone similar to progesterone called levonorgestrel that causes the cervical mucus to thicken so sperm cannot reach the egg. They can, however, cause sever cramps. I had awful ones to the point of hospitalization before Leane, and after, there were hardly any. I did NOT want to go back there again. My doc also said that the bleeding can almost totally stop or become heavy. As for the Depo Provera shot, I have heard nothing but bad things about it. It can cause non-stop bleeding (dispite the fact that it's supposed to stop it), severe weight gains, reduced bone mineral density, cervical erosion, fatigue, nausea, changes in libido, depression, nervousness and dizziness. A friend of mine was using it, and she had to spend a year in bed recovering from all the crap it did to her body. She gained about double the weight she used to be and was still trying to get her period back. Her mom was with her when I ran into her recently and told me that she had found that that the shot is given to castrate pedophiles. There are more unsuccessful cases with it recently more than anything. My OB wouldn't even administer the shot. As for the pill, since is releases synthetic hormones to trick your body into being pregnant, it can also dry up your milk. I have heard before that the mini-pill is one of the better options, but is less effective at preventing pregnancy. I would definately recomend the book that holly did. There are also other methods to use, like diaphrams, patches (not to sure about that with breastfeeding), sponges, or rings.
I was on a low dose bc pill called allese (or some other spelling of it)...my ob said it was fine to take while bf.
i use a diaphragm. it's funny because my dr and my midwives all said that they get very few requests for them these days, but i've used them for years with no problem other than having to remember to use it. i had terrible migraines from hormonal birth control. i'm completely afraid of depro because of all the possible side effects. kathy
My daughter had the Depo-Provera shot after her 7 year old daughter was born. She has spent the last two years now undergoing fertility treatments because of it. She finally got pregnant, but it has been a real struggle to get there. She's "half-baked" now. (No not that way, halfway through her pregnancy.) The effects of that one shot can be very long lasting. Research long and hard before you use any kind of birth control. Kathi
I'm the mama of three beautiful babies. After my first, I tried the diaphragm but I never felt totally sure I was inserting it correctly. After my second baby, I used the natural method, that didn't work and baby number three was born 13 months later. Granted, I more than likely didn't pay as close attention to my cycle, body temp etc as I should have but I was breastfeeding a two month old around the clock at the time while homeschooling my six year old and to be honest, the only time the daddy and I got it on was the night we made our third baby. After baby number three was weaned from the boob I tried the depo shot. At first I was THRILLED with it. After the first year of shots though, I started getting some nasty side effects: facial hair, loss of hair on my head, no libido and horrible depression. Now I've come back to the tried and true birth control option of condoms. No hormones, pretty decent track record if used with the pull out method and definately won't interfere with breastfeeding. Mamas need to trust their instinct in regards to what is safe for their babies. My doctor told me as well that depo wouldn't adversely affect my breastfeeding baby but I wasn't ready to risk it. Remember, doctors are still telling us that little boys NEED to be circumsized and a whole list of other theories we mamas know is BS. And the best piece of advice I can give you is to NEVER rush into a decision about your body or your baby. Always be in a place of calm and knowledge otherwise you may rush into a mistake and regret it later. Best wishes for you and your new bundle of love.
I have the copper IUD, and they made my period lighter and more tolerable. I was not expecting that in the least, as everything indicated it would make them worse (prior, I bled heavily when not on the pill, and had bad cramps both on the pill and not). My midwife did not seem surprised when I mentioned my periods had actually "improved" (I rather enjoy bleeding, and miss the heavier periods), so I do not think I am the only person ever to have this happen with a copper iud.
Just be very careful. I went on BC pills when mine were 8 months old. And I had what they call a (TI)..a small stoke of sorts. It was crazy scary. I went from perfectly normal one minute, to slurred speech and tunnel/double vision...within seconds. I decided to never again prevent myself from another pregnancy. My girls are to precious to leave motherless! Just use caution is all I am warning you and know your body. I am not telling you all this to scare you or shy you away from any desicions you make, but rather a heads up. When they give warnings about certain BC, they really mean it. My mishap could have been prevented. I get The classic Migraine headaches, which do not mix with BC.And the Dr. should have know better, for as I told her that I get them. Just know your body, and what feels right for you. If you get ANY side effects, it is best to contact you dr immediately. But I have several friends with IUD's and swear by them, and weight out the pros and cons of a few BC's that you may be interested in, and consult with your dr. about it! Good Luck
I couldn't handle the natural method. No way, no how. I'm sure it does work if you watch it close enough, but I need a more reliable method....just to make myself feel better about the whole situation. The shot sounds pretty bad....from some experiences, and I'm fully expecting that if I do go with that, that I'll bleed for atleast the whole 6 weeks after giving birth, my doctor made sure to warn me about that. He also told me that I may have a period for the whole first 3 months of the shot. I'm also aware of the weight gain (Which doesn't bother me....I could use a few pounds.) I'm also aware of the fact that I could possibly have a really hard time of getting pregnant again after starting the shot....the doctor told me it could take up to two years or more for my body to get back to normal. He didn't leave me in the dark about any of the side effects. I'm terrified that the IUD will grow into my uterus. I think that's what's keeping me from just telling him to have one ready for me. I'll probably not go with that....although I'm not going to rule it out. The birth control pills I was taking (Ortho Tri-Cyclen) were great on me....they give me cramps the first week was about it. But, that's the method of BC I was using when I got pregnant (And, I took them religiously). So, I'm trying to steer away from that method if I can help it. Every person (Only 3, but still....) that have used the ring have gotten pregnant while on it. It may be their own misuse or something, but that's enough to run me the other direction of the ring. I was reading about the patch....do any of you mamas have any experience with that? Once a week is easier to remember than once a day. My problem is the payment for BC. I have the medical card (Kentucky Medicare) and I need a method that's going to be covered by that payment option. I'm not sure if they cover all of them or not. I'm going to talk with my doctor about BC the next appointment I have (Aug 1)....I just needed a few suggestions first. Thanks, ladies!
eep, that's the one I'm on.....I needed a lower hormone pill, and alesse made me bleed constantly, so that was basically the only other option except for the mini-pill. SO far, no problems, but cody and I have been having a rough patch anyway and no sex.
DO NOT get Depo Provera immediately after birth. In order for your milk to be produced, you have to have a rapid, immediate decline in PROGESTERONE. Depo IS progesterone. If given right after birth, it can and will cause milk supply problems. Once milk suply is established (at least 12 weeks after birth) THEN first use the "mini pill" (progesterone ONLY pill) for three or four months, or forever) to see how you respond to the progesterone. Most mamas will have no milk supply problems with progesterone once supply is established, but RIGHT after birth is a No No. Doctors do not get Lactation Education unless they seek it out themselves, ALSO, doctors use things like Depo on young and often low income womyn, very often as a way to "Make sure they don't keep breeding." There is a lot of sexism in how some methods of BC are offered to womyn of different ages, races and classes. Chances of getting pregnant, if you are TOTALLY breastfeeding, before your first period are virtually nil. I'd use condoms for a while, then maybe after 3 or 4 months, try the mini pill. The good thing about the MIni Pill, over Depo: IF you have any problems, (anything from gaining too much weight to having milk supply issues) you can stop IMMEDIATELY and your body will go back to normal. If they give you a Depo shot, your are stuck with the hormones abnormalty, as well as the "side effects" for anywhere from 3 months to a year. DON'T let them give you Depo right after birth. You are not even having sex for minimum 6 weeks. There are better ways, honey. Ways that won't effect what is best for your baby and best for you.
hormonal birth control, even the mini-pill, can cause low milk supply problems if you are breastfeeding. the mini pill did that to me, but I didn't notice it until after I quit taking it (my baby was over a year old when I started taking it). It also made me depressed. Any regular birth control pill that contains estrogen is virtually guaranteed to lower your milk supply and cause early weaning if not low weight gain and other major issues. Depo Provera has some really nasty side effects too (even worse than the mini-pill), and since it's a shot, you have to wait for the shot to wear off before the side effects go away. For some women, the side effects last upwards of a year. For a small percentage, it causes permanent infertility. Yes, all those hormonal birth control methods are technically considered "safe" for baby, even though the hormones do come through your breastmilk, but doctors do not take into consideration the problem with milk supply that many women experience because of them.
(reposting due to tech problems on site) DO NOT get Depo Provera immediately after birth. In order for your milk to be produced, you have to have a rapid, immediate decline in PROGESTERONE. Depo IS progesterone. If given right after birth, it can and will cause milk supply problems. Once milk suply is established (at least 12 weeks after birth) THEN first use the "mini pill" (progesterone ONLY pill) for three or four months, or forever) to see how you respond to the progesterone. Most mamas will have no milk supply problems with progesterone once supply is established, but RIGHT after birth is a No No. Doctors do not get Lactation Education unless they seek it out themselves, ALSO, doctors use things like Depo on young and often low income womyn, very often as a way to "Make sure they don't keep breeding." There is a lot of sexism in how some methods of BC are offered to womyn of different ages, races and classes. Chances of getting pregnant, if you are TOTALLY breastfeeding, before your first period are virtually nil. I'd use condoms for a while, then maybe after 3 or 4 months, try the mini pill. The good thing about the MIni Pill, over Depo: IF you have any problems, (anything from gaining too much weight to having milk supply issues) you can stop IMMEDIATELY and your body will go back to normal. If they give you a Depo shot, your are stuck with the hormones abnormalty, as well as the "side effects" for anywhere from 3 months to a year. DON'T let them give you Depo right after birth. You are not even having sex for minimum 6 weeks. There are better ways, honey. Ways that won't effect what is best for your baby and best for you. __________________
