Talk to me about birth control! What do you use?

[Zeri]

Just curious about birth control options. 8 months post partum and I still don't have a plan - haven't gotten my period back yet, though. I'm checking for the return of ovulation using opks. No other birth control option seems particularly appealing to me right now.

So tell me... what kind of birth control do you use or plan to use? How are you liking it?

 

[_Meep_]

I'm breastfeeding and got my period at 8.5 months pp. I don't like the idea of passing anything through my milk so we are using condoms. I don't particularly like them but to be honest, we don't really have much sex anyway!

 

[Bella1185]

ugh i take yazmin (pill) and i hate it! always have breakthrough bleeding and it gives me the worst nausea! my best friend just got an IUD and swears its the best thing she ever did. she says she has light periods, no cramps, and doesnt have to remember the pill everyday. im seriously considering it!

 

[Kitteh_Kat]

I went back on my regular birth control pill right after birth, and didn't have a problem with it. We were thinking about trying for #2 back in September so I went off the pill, but I changed my mind so we've been using the pull out method and condoms around fertile times. I'm going back on the pill again after the next birth as well!

 

[Zeri]

Thanks for your replies!

I was on Yasmin before and it completely killed my sex drive... for years!! :-/

Bella, do you know what kind of IUD your friend had? I was considering it, but keep reading all these horror stories..

meep....not much sex here either!

 

[SarahBear]

I'm using Paraguard. It's a non-hormonal birth control method that lasts 10 years. You go for the procedure, they insert it into your uterus and then you don't have to think about it except to check the strings and have it removed when you want another child or after 10 years. One of the possible side effects is that it can make your period worse. My periods aren't bad and I had it between having my first and conceiving my second. I think the fact that I've been breastfeeding for the last 2.5 years has something to do with how my periods are and I have no idea what it will do to my periods once I'm done breastfeeding. I've got quite a while before I have to worry about that though. It's also quite expensive, so if you can get it covered by insurance or by going to someplace like Planned Parenthood, it's worthwhile. If you have to pay for it, I would take more time to consider it, given its possible side effects.

 

[Bella1185]

Thanks for your replies!

I was on Yasmin before and it completely killed my sex drive... for years!! :-/

Bella, do you know what kind of IUD your friend had? I was considering it, but keep reading all these horror stories..

meep....not much sex here either!

She is on Merena - I just spoke with her and she's had no complications and a very light period since she received it. She's a nurse so she researched them all and in her opinion it was what's right for her at this time. Those side effect reports can be scary - gotta remember they only happen to a small percentage of people! But it does sound so drastic when they list them!

 

[Perplexed]

I just had the copper coil fitted a couple of days ago. I've been having back pain which the dr said is a possible side effect. but it's too soon to tell if it's working out for me or not...

 

[lisaalove]

I'm taking the pill ( a bfing friendly one) and not sure what I will do after I'm done bfing. I don't like the pill I was on before that because it gave me anxiety but we also don't want another for a few years! We'll probably just do the family planning methods. Pull out, no sex during/around o time. I had Mirena and it was a horrible experience so I would never suggest it but I could just be one of the unlucky people so who knows!

 

[pinkpolkadot]

I have a copper coil. I like that I don't have to think about it and that it is none hormonal. On the downside it hurt going in, my periods are like bloodbaths (but slowly improving I think) and I am getting random crampiness which may or may not be down to that.

 

[_Meep_]

Bloodbaths! That sounds awful.

I think I'm maybe going to have to go back on some form of BC though, as my periods are also freaky right now - I've been on this current period since 18th May!!!!

 

[Zeri]

thanks for all your replies! Hmmmm..... good to hear about the positive experiences with Mirena and Paraguard... I may consider that option again.

Is anyone doing Fertility Awareness/Rhythm methods?

 

[kerrie24]

Just condoms here. Doesn't bother me or him as its been 5 years and we keep them handy so hardly notice one going on haha. Hormones dont agree with me and he chickened out of a vasectomy after no.3!