birth control options

[Luvmyfam]

I need to start thinking about birth control. My doc has suggested both the mini pill and Mirena. My daughter is 5 months old and I am exclusively breast feeding. My husband and I are not ready to do anything "permanent." I also don't want to do anything to decrease my already almost non-existent sex drive. Does anyone have any ideas?

[rydersmommy]

I dont know about you, but I'm no good at taking pills at the exact same time everyday. I got the Mirena last week. So far, so good. Just a little cramping. I have not noticed any decrease in my supply. As far as the sex drive, I didint have one before - but there's no change in that either!
I really like the thought of have it for 5 years or less if we decide DS needs a friend! =)
Have you heard of Implanon? It's like norplant but better. It's just 1 "tube" implanted in your arm. A friend of mine has it, but she isnt BF anymore.
Good luck!!

[tifttu]

That's strange, I posted earlie and it isn't showing up...hmmmm. Well, anyway, after learning more about the mini-pill I decided it wasn't for me and I'm not really comfortable with IUDs either. I'm working on learning to use FAM and I can honestly say that I have more sex drive now than in the past 4-5 years of bfing/pregnancy/hormonal bc.

[Nipple_nectar]

I am using a Mirena and I am happy with it, I have had it for a year. I would be happy to answer any questions you have.

I used the mini pill after DD1, started it right at the PP visit. I didn't get my PPAF until she was nine months and I wasn't that great at remembering the same time every day, I did end up pregnant while on it, when she was 18 months.

IMHO, it is not a reliable form of BC.

[Wilcox03]

I got the Mirena IUD after my 1st dd and loved it. I did, however, get uncomfortable with the idea of having something inside of me that wasn't part of my body..if that makes sense, so I got it out after a year and a half. But i had no problems during that time with it and no period while on the Mirena. yay! Now, like you, I have to decide if I want that again or the mini pill and in the past I didn't do well on pills, and we're also not ready for anything permnanent...so I am trying to decide on this issue myself. ;) And I know dh and I don't have the best will-power when it comes to using just condoms and this pregnancy was a semi-surprise in itself, so we don't want another one. lol. I'm leaning towards the Mirena again, cuz I hate having to take a stinkin pill everyday and I'm worried about me being a hormonal person while on it...I had no side effects while on the Mirena...just some spotting for the first 3 months. SO if you can stand the spotting for the first 3 months or so, then it is a convenient choice. Now..for ME to decide. lol.

[Luvmyfam]

Thanks for your response. This is totally lame but I am a little nervous that implanting the Mirena will hurt. Five months ago I had a all natural vaginal birth to my 8.8 pound girl and I am nervous about a little thing being put in... I know sounds crazy! I was reading about some of the side effects and one was acne. I already have a prob with this and do not want to heighten the problem. I am probably just dragging my feet. I would love to use natural family planning. It helped me get pregnant with my first but according to my charting I should not have gotten prego with my daughter ( but I am thrilled that I did)! Oh, what to do!!!!

[mandeloo]

the mirena doesnt hurt to put in, its just an evil bitch once its in there. It was for me at least.

We have resorted to condoms!

[mommyofjadyn]

I got implanon, it's the tube that's inserted in your arm. I'm breastfeeding and it works fine for me. I like it because there's no way I could remember to take a pill every day, and the idea of an IUD just kinda freaked me out. The only thing is it makes your period irregular. My dr. said the avg. is 17 days for every three months. But I know some girls that get their period all the time, and I'm one of the lucky ones who almost never gets it. But I really like it.