I'm 24 years old and I have bipolar disorder. I have two beautiful children that are my world I don't know where I would be without them. I am a good mom I love and care for my children like anyone else. I have been struggling with my illness for four years. I was diagnosed when my daughter was born she will be five in June, I suffered pretty bad when I had to go off my meds with my son who is now 7 months. Recently my doctor found me a great medicine which makes me feel normal I have felt better the last month, than I have since being diagnosed. The problem is my medicine will make my birth control ineffective. I know I don't want a new baby anytime soon my doctor said they could try the mirena implant but it seems to have a lot of side effects. I don't exactly like the idea of not having a period and not knowing if I could be pregnant. My sisters friend just lost a baby from getting pregnant on it and had a miscarriage after implant was removed. I have been thinking about just letting my husband get fixed but we are young and we may want another one in the future. I can't stand to live in regret I feel sad thinking of never having another child. The two I have bring me so much joy, but would it spoil things to have another or should I put these things to rest and just do what should be done and give up my chances to have one more?
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Try Paraguard. It's a IUD like the Mirena, but non-hormonal so cuts down on the side effects. I have one, and it's the first time I've had a birth control method that gives me no side effects and I don't have to think about it at all.
Check out the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility." It's a natural family planning method that teaches you to watch your body's signals to determine when you are fertile and need additional protection, and when it's safe to have unprotected sex. If followed correctly it has one of the highest rates of protection. Even if you choose not to follow the method, learning about how your body works and paying attention to it can really help you become more aware of changes for your overall reproductive health. We used this method for about two years, along with condoms, and didn't get pregnant. Then we used this method when trying to conceive and were able to get pregnant immediately, both times. I don't use any hormonal birth control or IUD's because the hormones mess with your body and have negative side effects (and I don't like the IUD's abortive birth control method, not to mention the risks of uterine puncture, etc.) We use condoms almost exclusively but also have spermicide films which I always forget about.
My husband and I happily and effectively use condoms. Have you considered that form of Birth Control? I would also suggest you visit Planned Parenthood to check out all of your options. Best of luck to you!
Since you asked what *I* would do, I would do whatever I could to not get pregnant when I didn't want to. There are alot of other options besides Mirena and a vacectomy, so talk to your doctor and find one that works for you. Whatever you chose, you must stick with it! That is wonderful that you have your bipolar managed right now and you owe it to yourself and your children to do what you can to keep it that way and it sounds like not getting pregnant at this time is one of those ways.
hi, i am a mom of seven. i just wanted to say that you aren't the only one that has to make this dicision. the simplest thing is to have your husband wear a condom. this is easy. if he say's he doesn't like them then he needs to get over it and think of the alternatives. it is as much his issue as yours. we have almost always used them. our 7 children were planned. you could also use a product called conceptrol. or a different supposatory along with the condom. done that too. anyway don't feel like there aren't any options. if you do theses simple things and get pregnant the i think it would be safe to say it was in gods plan for your family. good luck and god bless. mom of 7 , R.
You should use VCF. It's a vaginal contraceptive film and you can get it anywhere. Put it in before you have sex- it works like a charm. I used this for two years inbetween my two kids. No side effects, works w/ meds, and doesn't make things officially "done" for you guys.
I would not get him fixed. I have the mirena and have had no issues, but I can understand after having someone that close to you with those two major issues happen how you'd be nervous.
Best of luck with your decision.
Have you tried a diaphragm?
I think trying other alternative birth control methods would be best for you until you and your hubby decide if you want other children. My brother in law had the vasectomy when my sis was diagnosed with cancer. She passed on and in a few years he remarried and had the vasectomy reversed and had 2 children with her. So there are options for you.
Is your husband against using condoms? I do not take birth control pills or use any type of hormonal birth control due to religious and health reasons. We get the condoms that have spermacide already in them. We have been using that method for 3 years and have never had an oops or a time where I thought I could be pregnant. You could also use a diaphram with spermacide, etc. Good luck to you!
Hi A.! My name is K.. I had Mirena inserted on 12/31/09. PLEASE before you decide to get it, check out these two websites:
http://www.medications.com/se/mirena
and
http://www.everythingmom.com/our-blog/mirena-crash-the-mi...
Mirena caused me SO many problems. On day 40, I pulled it out myself (probably not advised!) but I just could not stand it any longer. After wondering onto those two websites, I decided I could not wait until the next day to call the doctor & wait for what would have seemed like forever to get an appointment to see him....and then he probably would have tried to talk me into keeping it. I read all the literature the doctor gave me, and I checked out Mirena's website, but I didn't think to google the side effects until I had been suffering for 40 days. I posted my story on that first site on Feb 9th @ 5:38am and then an update on February 9th @ 2:48pm (username katiedid70 & right now my posts are on page 6). While some people tolerate Mirena just fine, lots do not....including myself. And the manufacturers & doctors aren't telling everyone of ALL of the side effects. It seems like the worst side effects are the ones they're NOT telling us about.
There are lots of choices for birth control. I would just suggest that you look into other options first.
Wish you the best of luck!
K.
I know way too many people who regret having been sterilized, so I definitely wouldn't do that at your young age and since you are open to more children. There are other birth control methods, including the rhythm method - keeping a calendar of your cycle and all that. It works if you follow it to a T.
Hi A., at your age I don't think that I would want to go to a drastic route like surgery. Have you considered using barrier methods ... no hormones or side effects.
I wish you the best of luck! D..
Hi A., How about condoms? I know it is an extra step when you are in the mood, but a whole lot easier then the alternatives. My husband and I used condoms for years because I had adverse reactions to most birth control after my son was born. After a while you get use to it and there are so many different types you are sure to find one that you both enjoy. Good Luck!
How about using condoms for birth control? Reliable, no side effects, and you could still always choose to stop using them if you want more kids in the future. Sure they're slightly inconvenient, but that seems like a small price to pay for the peace of mind!
Best wishes to you!
I to have bipolar disorder and congrats on staying meds and finding one that works for you. Now about the mirena it is still a hormonal form of birth control so your meds will make it ineffective just as it did the pills so it is pointless for you to get that one. After I had my daughter I used the paragaurd IUD. Its made from copper and is non-hormonal and your body still cycles like normal. Its good for 10years and as soon as its removed you can get pregnant. Trust me my sister in law got pregnant 1 month after having hers removed. I was always told I should never use hormonal birth control cause it can make bipolar disorder worse and make the "ups and downs" more extreme. After my son was born I had to have a hysterectomy so birth control is not a worry for me anymore but if I had to worry Id go back with the paragaurd. Good luck with your decision.
