L.M. asks from Phoenix, AZ on August 22, 2008
Birth Control Ideas
What do you all suggest for birth control. I just had a baby and she is getting both breastmilk and formula. And I've heard too many stories of women getting pregnant while breastfeeding. I can't take the pill and my husband doesn't like condoms (which he may have to get over). Before, we just did the pull out method, and didn't do it while I was ovulating. That seemed to work well, but I'd like other ideas please. And also with the breast feeding, I don't really know when I'm ovulating, so I need some back up ideas.
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A.B. answers from Phoenix on August 23, 2008
Whatever you do DO NOT get an IUD in...I am a member of another mom site and everyday I hear really bad side effects from it. Anywhere from bleeding for months at a time to depression.
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K.C. answers from Phoenix on August 28, 2008
try the contraception "foam" or gel,in the same hygiene type isle-they workgreat!i only have the 4 kids that were planned,& never had the foam fail. :)
A.B. answers from Phoenix on August 23, 2008
Whatever you do DO NOT get an IUD in...I am a member of another mom site and everyday I hear really bad side effects from it. Anywhere from bleeding for months at a time to depression.
L.G. answers from Austin on August 24, 2008
I breastfed my kids each for a year so I had similar concerns to yours. We used condoms and made it part of the foreplay. My husband enjoyed my participation in putting it on so he thought the advantages outweighed the disadvantages. We also went to truck stops and places like that for a variety in their condoms.
Then when we made the birth control more permanent after we knew we were done having kids, it made the freedom from condoms much more exhilarating.
S.C. answers from Phoenix on August 23, 2008
I recently had my third child. I am breastfeeding, too, and did with my first two. My midwives suggest the "mini-pill" for while breastfeeding. I'm on it now and used it while I breastfed my other two kids as well. I don't remember exactly how the mini pill differs from the regualar pill, but it's safe to use while breastfeeding. I'd ask your doctor/midwife about it. Good luck!
A.M. answers from Phoenix on August 23, 2008
I second what Anastasia said.......I have friends who have had horrible side effects from IUD's (one had her uterus rupture, and can't have any more children, after her 1st)
I won't take birth control and after the birth of my youngest I found a product called VCF (vaginal contraceptive film) You can get it at Target. You can get a film, foam or a capsule that you insert before sex and it disolves. I didn't have any adverse side effects after using it for 2 and a half years, and we got pregnant the first month we tried.
Rythms is also great-once you're ovulating normally again. You can use the VCF as back up.
Good luck!!
V.J. answers from Phoenix on August 22, 2008
I can sympathize with your situation. I was in a very similar place after my first child was born. While we were using condoms, my husband doesn't like them and was not always very good about consistent usage. Long story short, I ended up pregnant again when my baby was only 4 months old. Since my second child was born, my husband has been VERY consistent with condoms and for the first 6 months postpartum I was on the mini-pill which is safe to take while nursing. As you can imagine, with a 1 and a 2 yr old (13 months apart) we are in no way ready to have another child. My OB suggested I get on a regular birth control pill at the 6 month mark but I wasn't comfortable with that since I was still breastfeeding. My little guy is now weaned off the breast so I'm getting an IUD. This way my husband and I can stop using condoms but not have to worry about another surprise pregnancy. Paragard is safe while nursing as it does not contain hormones. There are some risks associated with IUDs but I've decided to give it a shot. It may or may not be right for you. I hope this helps! Best wishes and congrats on your baby daughter! =)
J.R. answers from Phoenix on August 26, 2008
Might want to consider spermicides. They have foam types, cream types, and a vaginal film. Sometimes one partner can be sensitive to these products so don't purchase too many until you're sure you don't react to them. I like them because they give a little extra lubricant as well. And when we use condoms, I prefer the natural sheep skin type. They're very natural feeling. They are more expensive, but cheaper than a pregnancy. We save them for ovulation time. Good luck!
T.V. answers from Phoenix on August 25, 2008
Please read Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler. This book is fabulous and will give you great insight to how your body and cycles work. It teaches you how chart your cycles so that you know when to avoid getting pregnant. I have been using that method in order to conceive for about 6 months, but I know several women that use it to abstain from getting pregnant. Good Luck.
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