DH and I are not planning on getting pregnant so soon after DS, but I don't know what to take. I've been on Depo and hated it, condoms are uncomfortable (TMI?), and I was taking tricyclen, but the doc says it decreases milk supply. Now, she gave me a prescription for something, but I haven't gotten it yet. She says it doesn't affect the milk. It begins with an "M". I've already dropped it off at the pharmacy, but haven't gone to get it yet. Why am I putting it off? I know I don't want a baby so soon after this one, but honestly, I think I just hate the idea of BC pills. What is this IUD thing? How does it work?
DH is really pushing me to get on something, I think he's a bit freaked at the idea of me getting pregnant again. LOL!
Note: I am breastfeeding and haven't gotten my period yet(3mos PP). Suggestions would be appreciated.

I got an IUD at 6 weeks when I was nursing. I love it! It is shaped like a T and is inserted into the uterus. There are 2 kinds. Mine is the one without hormones. The doc inserts it for you and now I'm good to go for 10 years. It took about 2 minutes to put it in at the doc. Only slightly uncomfortable going in. Then you never feel it (unless it slips and you have to have it done again) When you're ready to be pregnant again the doc can take it out in a few seconds and you are immediately ready to begin trying again. My flow became heavier for the 1st few months. It is still a bit heavier, but AF only lasts for about 4 days now. I highly recomend it.

Kiera1595 - trying not to steal roxy's post but I have had questions about this too. And condoms are not working for us very well. How well does the IUD protect against pregnancy?, what are the odds? Exactly how do they put it in and all that? I avoid going to the Dr because I hate being touched. So I need to know if the 2 min is worth it. What is the hormone difference between the 2? I don't know much about it and I imagine the Dr would but I avoid him as much as I can.

Hi
My doc said that ALL birth control pills can affect milk supply. The low dose ones less so, but still can. I even asked him about the one I think you are talking about (I can't remember the name either, but know it starts with an M!). He strongly recommended that I don't take any pills while breast feeding. Of course that's just one opinion, and all docs will differ. He recommended an IUD, but I opted not to as we plan on trying to get pregnant again towards the end of the year and I don't mind condoms for now :)

An IUD can last for 10 years? WOW! I may consider doing that too. I'm wondering if my insurance will pay for it.... Thanks for bringing up this question Roxy. I go in for my 6 week pp checkup on the 2nd.

My insurance covered it 100% which is good because it costs several hundreds of $$ I don't remember the odds of how well it works. I know it is very high, but nothing is perfect. The 2 kinds...they are both shaped like a T, the one with hormones have a bit of hormone placed on the edge of the top part of the T which some believe makes it work better, but I'm not a fan of extra hormones in the system, so I went for the other kind. The hormone kind I believe lasts for 7 years.

The doc puts you up on the table just like a pap. Then they use a tiny instrument to measure the legnth of your uterus, then they insert the IUD. I felt a tiny pinch for a few seconds, then it was over. I bled a tiny bit for 36 hours, which is normal. Ever since then I have never felt it and 11 months later, no problems with pregnancy. It really is a cool little thing. Just a little bit of copper and plastic

The low dose pill is Micret or Mercet or something. The only issue to consider with an IUD is that it prevents pregnancy, not conception. Should you have an embryo, it will be unable to embed itself in your uterus and eventually stop growing and is shed with your normal period. We are talking about a small amount of cells, so you wouldn't be able to tell. But if that bothers you, it is something to consider.

I hear the sponge has made a comeback and many people swear by it, but I have never tried it.

I've never tried the sponge either, nor would I know how to use it! I don't like to complicate things. If it comes with too many directions, I put it back on the shelf. Maybe I could give the sponge a shot, but what exactly does it do? I assume it sponges the semen?? I think that is what the BC pill was called.

The hormone IUD is good for 5 years but you have a sting that hangs down in your vagina that you have to check everyday. Does the copper one have that? I am not really a fan of the hormones either & have considered not using anything but condoms but DH doesn't like that idea as much. Sponges just sound messy.

Yes, the copper IUD has the "strings". However, those strings, which feel like fishing line are only about 1/2 inch (if that) into your vagina from your uterus. It is recommended that you check it once a month to make sure that they're still there. I have DH do that LOL

Checking it everyday sounds like a big pain. I could handle once a month but not everyday!!

That doesn't sound so bad then. I was freaking out that it was regular string and it was needed to be watched like another child.I actually ordered the mirena and told them nevermind beacuse of that maybe I'll change my mind again.My dr and mirena told me the hormones stay pretty localized.

I know alot of people use them and they are great but there are some risks to them as well. A friend of mine had one and she was in chronic pain because of it. They told her it would go away but it didn't so eventually it had to be removed. There's also a risk of damage to the uterus if there's an infection or it happens to tear the wall. They can cause infertility later if that stuff happens. I can't remember what the rate of risks are but they may be worth looking up. I haven't been able to figure out what I want to take either. BC pills make me feel terrible but I'm not sure if I want to go with the IUD either. DH hates condoms. There'd have to be some sex going on in this house before I could get pregnant again anyway. lol

you could go old school and do the diaphram route. Or how about a foam. I used that once. Kinda a pain in the butt though. The one I used you had to wait like 10 minutes afer inserting and before having sex. Then it was messy afterwards...drip drip lol :) Too bad they can't do a temporary vasectomy. Let the guys worry about it for a while. Sorry that's bad

Well I have found sex without a condom is messy no matter what. The sponge has spermicide in it, so in addition to blocking the little swimmers, it kills them. I gather you can put it in way in advance (like a diaphragm), but it doesn't have to be in place perfectly (like a diaphragm) to work. I am guessing it would be on par with a tampon as far as difficulty and discomfort, but I am not sure. My hubby has a vasectomy (we have used IVF to get pregnant) so I don't have to worry about it. About the only upside to our situation.

I was all set to have an IUD, but then I remembered the whole thing about the fact that it does not keep you from ovulating and conception can occur. So I would feel guilty having so many possible pregnancies occurring and knowing that I was preventing the embryo from surviving (or never knowing but wondering all the time). So I had to cancel that appointment and now I'm going with the shot, which is safe when breastfeeding.
I don't like the idea of hormones, but I want it to be 99+% effective, so I'm not going with the more natural methods. Has anyone experienced weight gain or other side effects with the shot?

I had weight gain when on the shot for a year. I also didn't have anormal period for over a year afterwards. So, if you want to conceive again, take that into concideration.

I know a couple people who have had big wieght gain and one who has had signifigant bone density loss from the shot. I don't really like the thought of not being able to undo it if it isn't working out either.

I HATED the shot! I felt like a different person. I gained 30 pounds over a two year period. YIKES

I have never had the IUD personally but I have hd 3 friends who have had it, all non hormonal....1 got pregnant with it in, 1 had to go on hormone therapy to get preggers after she had it taken out...no problems getting pregnant before the IUD, and the third friend still cant get pregnant and had it removed and has been trying for just over 18 months ...she also has two sons got pregnant before IUD no problems....I wouldn't use it

I am personally an IUD baby. My mother got prego not once but twice on the copper IUD. I feel very nervous about getting it. I had a lot of problems with the pill. My DR.told me to try the ring. He gave me a sample and said I could use it while b'fing but I talked to my ped. and he said it would be in my milk. I really hate any of the hormone type things but also get bad AF's when not nursing.

Basically sounds like the best thing to preventing pregnancy is a condom, no hormones, no weight gain, no trying to get pg problems. On the flip side, DH HATES them, prefers the natural skin condoms, which are great but about $40 for 12. So, I think, we need a pill for men or something like that. Something that temporally puts those little swimmers out of commission.

What a great idea but you know they would complain.

THere is about to be a new form of contraception that are like two little foam plugs that are put into your tubes. I don't know more than that about how it works, but I heard a lady from planned parenthood talking about them...I guess a lot of research is being done in China

My Doc gave me a RX for the mini pill. It is a progestin only pill, no estrogen or anything like that. The pamphlet says it does not decrease your milk supply either. I haven't started it yet though...Anyone else?

Wow. There is a lot to think about after reading these posts. Now I have not only cancelled my IUD appointment, but I have ordered the prescription for the shot, and I am delaying having it injected because I can't make up my mind!!!!

My DH is a very spontaneous person. I can not trust him to wear a condom. He would try to get out of it. He would not mind me becoming pregnant again. I, on the other hand, feel I have to avoid pregnancy due to a chronic pain condition I have. There is no way my body can handle another pregnancy for a looooong time! I read that condoms are only 70% effective (possible more with spermicide). I have had them come off inside me and I fretted and fretted.

Concerning the shot, I do not want to gain weight, but my doctor said that 5 lbs. per 3 months is the average weight gain! That is 20 lbs. per year! I also read the enclosed pamphlet and it said that a side effects include headaches, joint pain, and fatigue, which I already have badly enough due to my health probs. I told my doctor that it did not sound very healthy after reading the long list of side effects. She said, "Yes, but for you, pregnancy is MORE unhealthy!"

Not sure if that last post was posted. I re-posted the same stuff. ooops