How long do I need to wait to begin taking b.c.? What are my options since I am bf? If I choose a pill how will I know when to start taking it since I have not had a period yet? Once I start taking it how long before it is totally in my system? We would like another child soon, but need to get things in a workable order before we start trying again.
If anyone can help with my questions I would greatly appreciate it. It seems that I always think of these questions after I have been to the doctor and on a weekend. Does this happen to anyone else?
Thanks from one tired Momma!
The pill I am taking is the Errin pill or "mini pill". The directions say to take it at the same time every day, but nothing about the effectiveness decreasing if you are a few hours off. Thanks for the MAJOR heads up as I usually don't remember to take pills. I even had to set a reminder on my cell phone to take my prenatal pills. LOL I think we should stick with two ways to prevent an accident. Thanks so much Momma's.
Talk with your doctor. Mine put me on a special low dose type pill that I could start taking right away and did not cause any issues with breast feeding. It was one that worked in conjunction with it (estrogen only I think, but it has been so long)
I reccommend writing a list--I have a memo pad on my phone that I put things in because I almost always have my phone. I did want to let you know that--unless you are very structured about taking your bc--the mini pill is not the best. I was bf, after my first daughter and was using the mini pill, but as soon as I could no longer bf, I got pregnant. You must take it at exactly the same time every day or it does not work (unlike the regular pill when you can be a couple hours off). I found a good solution for me was Implanon--it's a little rod that goes on the inside of your upper arm and has only one hormone, so its safe for bf. It lasts for up to 3 years, but you can have it taken out before then.
I wasn't on the mini pill (or progestin-only pill) for breastfeeding reasons (my doctor just decided to randomly change me to it without any logical explanation). I became pregnant while taking it because like Heather S. said, you have to take it at EXACTLY the same time every day. If you are even a couple hours late, it is ineffective for the next two days and if you forget to take it all in the day, it is ineffective for like two weeks. So unless you're really good at taking the pill, I would talk to your doctor about other options for birth control. While I am getting happy and excited about my baby, it was definitely not in the plan and I do not plan to return to that doctor (which is a much longer and complicated story in and of itself lol).
I am a nursemidwife and having discussed birth control about a million times. You really shouldn't take any contraception with estrogen in it while breast feeding as that will decrease your milk supply. The drug companies disagree with this, but nursing moms all say it happens. That leaves you with a small number of options. There is a birth control pill that doesn't have any estrogen in it. I usually start my patients on it about 3-4 weeks post delivery. It is effective for contraception when you finish a package. With this pill, you don't have a week off like regular birth control pills. You finish a pack and the next day start a new one. Most women will not have periods while they are on it, but then a lot of women don't have periods while they are breast feeding. There are also some longer term progesterone only methods, but they are expensive and are meant to last 3-5 years. That would be Implanon and Mirena. You could also use the old tried and true diaphragm. It requires a visit for a fitting. Hope this helps.
My doc actually prescribed me regular bc pills and I had a fit! They def pass into breastmilk as does the mini pill. I wasn't comfortable with either of those options due to exclusively breastfeeding. I didn't want to expose my little one to any kind of hormones however minute. Many women do fine taking the mini pill while nursing but it wasn't for me. So condoms it was while I nursed-20 months-God love my hubby! lol
The pharmacist told me that you can start taking the pill at any time. You don't have to wait for your cycle. I would use a back up method for the first pack of pills though.
I'm surprised your doctor didn't talk to you about your BC options already. Mine started doing it before the baby was born...and then again in the hospital.
The two most popular and safest choices for new moms/BF moms are the mini pill and the Mirena. The only con (in my opinion) with the mirena is that you'll have to pay to put it in and then pay to have it taken out in a year if you're going to start trying again (it can last up to 5 years though). But, after looking at what our insurance copay was, it really wasn't that much more money to do it then to pay for a Rx every month and it's way easier!
I agree that it is weird your doctor did not discuss this at your follow-up appointment. I nursed for 11 1/2 months with my first and 13 1/2 months with my second. I took the "mini pill" or progestin-only pill both times with no issues. It is not known to interfere with milk production so is usually a good option for nursing moms. I started at my 6-week check-up after delivery but did not have periods until eight months to a year later. Nothing is 100% effective, so I chose to take pregnancy tests once a month anyway just so I didn't have a surprise later. Condoms are also always safe if you do not have any allergies, and you can start those without checking with your doctor. Even if you are breastfeeding, it is possible to ovulate and become pregnant very soon after delivery. I was a little worried at both follow-up appointments after my deliveries that we might have gotten pregnant, but thankfully we hadn't and I did start my birth control immediately. I suppose after this third baby I might ask my doctor if I can start the pills before my appointment since it seems we never manage to wait that long. Good luck, and definitely check with your doctor, who knows your health situation and family needs.
I am currently breastfeeding and had the IMPLANON IMPLANT placed in my arm about 8-10weeks after birth. I cannot remember to take pills so this is a great alternative... will last up to three years. (can be removed sooner)
I bf and preferred not to take anything but that's just me and my feelings. They make a pill that a lot of women refer to as the "mini" pill. I would ask at your 6 week appointment if you want to take something but we just used good old condoms while I nursed.
