Iud

I had Mirena inserted when my son was 6 weeks old. That was 14 months ago. Since then, I have breakthrough bleeding and cramping at least every couple of weeks. My OB did an ultrasound to make sure it was in place and there are no problems. I love not having to worry about BC, but cramping and bleeding all the time is for the birds. I don't think this is typical, but it is something to consider.

R. ... I have the exact one .... and LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE (did I mention LOVE) it!! Rather than tying my tubes (when we ever come to that point) I will just keep the IUD. I just saw my dr for a check up and told him how much I love it. Since I have had it .. I have had one VERY VERY light period!! No cramping/ weight gain .. NOTHING!! I highly recommend it!

I am not sure what kind I have. But I got my first one inserted 6 weeks after my first daughter and then I got my second one 6 weeks after my second daughter.

I LOVE IT, I also did not have any issue after insertion. I had more pain when they removed it, but still nothing terrible. I did not have issues with conception due to the IUD. (My mom had an IUD between each of her three children as well.)

I highly recommend that everyone consider it.

It sure makes life easier.
H.

My daughter was born May 25th and I had this done Sept 12th and so far I LOVE IT. I did have some slight cramping during the procedure, but not since. My doctor placed it while I was on my period, and I think it prolonged that period by a few days, but, since then I had only had some very slight break through bleeding in the first 6 weeks. Nothing since. I tried, but, have been unable to find anything I do not like about this. I have continued to nurse without any issue at all. It was uncomfortable during the actual procedure, but, once it was "in" the pain was gone. The whole thing took maybe 10 minutes. Good luck! C.

I have had the Mirena for a year and a half, and I love it, love it, LOVE it. Got it at six months, as I was planning to wean, so no issues there. Don't remember any great cramping or pain after insertion. I used to have terrible heavy painful periods and PMS, but not anymore -- just a couple days of spotting and maybe a feeling of heaviness, but very little cramping or other problems. (And no reduction in sex drive like used to have on the pill.)

Hope this information helps!

Hi, R.-
I got an IUD inserted last year after my twins were born, as we were pretty certain that we were done but didn't want to committ to that idea too soon. My Ob/Gyn said it was super easy to remove and then conceive if we changed our minds. I thought it sounded like the perfect solution, did experience some cramping when it was inserted and then it was fine initially. Then I started having my period every other week - heavy periods. I also had a terrible time dropping weight (even doing Body for Life) and got awful migrains. I finally went back to my Ob after about 15 months, and she removed it for me (which was AWFUL - I felt like I was in labor all over again). Since we removed it my weight dropped instantly, no more migraines, and I am happliy back on the pill. I went from being a big fan of the IUD to not so much. I actually checked into the weight/migraine connection to the IUD only after talking to several other women that were having problems with it. It may be a great solution for you, but just some things to be aware of if you would happen to experience any strange side effects. Good luck - I hope it works better for you!

I was considering this after my 2nd daughter was born but my OBGYN said it wasn't really worth it if you planned to have your kids 2-3 years apart. But according to the posts maybe that was just my OBGYN's philosophy.

I got the Mirena IUD after having my third child and I had no issues with nursing. I was a huge fan of the IUD, that is until I got pregnant when my daughter was 23 months old. I had to get the IUD removed and I am now 5 months pregnant so it obviously didn't work for me.

R.,

I had the mirena IUD about a year and a half before getting pregnant with my son. For me, it was extremely painful after they inserted it, to the point where I was crying. Then again, my periods never gave me cramps at all. I ended up taking it out because ( I hope I dont get too personal for you) during sex, certain positions would be very uncomfortable and sex became unenjoyable. I figured the pain would just go away after several intercourses had gone by, but it stayed the same, so I switched to the patch and loved it. I realize, though, that you cannot take the patch while breastfeeding (thats the ONLY reason I am not on it now.) I have been on the shot that you have to get every 3 months and it has been working pretty good. Only complaint is that there is a complete loss of interest in sex.
Sometimes I think that maybe the doctor inserted it incorrectly, at least, thats the only thing I can think of to explain the pain. Also, I have heard of people getting pregnant while the IUD is inserted! Scary!! I guess I didnt really help at all but Good luck, though!

Hi R.- I have the IUD that you are going to get. I got it after having my son, but I had stopped BF at that point. It took me about 9-12 months to regulate, but now I have a very light period about every 2-3 months. It's awesome!! It is a little uncomfortable with insertion, but no ongoing cramping. I am finished having kids, so I will just keep mine until it;s time to switch. Good Luck!!
T.

What about the one without the hormones? I think this would eliminate any chance of it impacting your milk production. I was considering it after my second child.

I looke into it as well after the birth of my first child. What I learned was somewhat disturbing. Experts are not really sure why the IUD works, but there are 2 prevailing theories. The first is regarding how fluid build up inhibits the sperms mobility and, hence, prevents conception. The second is that the egg fertilizes, but the IUD leaves the uteran wall a difficult environment on which to implant. So, the fertilized egg passes. If you believe "life begins at conception", then using the IUD is essentially a mini-abortion. I do not say that to pass judgement or insinuate anything - I am just telling you what I learned. I am not advocating "pro" anything.

I had the Mirena put in 3 months ago. My daughter was almost 4 MO. The reason we decided to go this route was we were not sure if we wanted a 3rd and we did not want to do anything permanent or semi-permanent at this point. I am not sure about it yet. I CAN'T take birth control pills as they raise my blood pressure and make my headaches/migrains worse. The only positive thing out of the Mirena so far is that my headaches are few and far between. So, here is what I have experienced with it.

1. Not much pain during insertion at all, just some mild cramping several hours after that lasted for a few days.

2. I did bleed heavily for 1 month strait non stop! It was longer than I bled after delivery of both my children.

3. Had to have the spots that were bleeding carterized 3 times. Did not hurt at all but really helped the bleeding.

4. For the last 2 months my bleeding is not consistent with a normal period. Some days a little heavy, some days a little spotting, some days nothing. In 2 months, I think I have had maybe 7-10 days where I did not have to use a tampon, pad, or panty liner at all. My OB said that was somewhat normal for the first 3 months.

5. After 2 weeks after insertion, milk supply went down and that is why I started the Domperidone.

6. My husband HATES it!!! He said no wander it is birth control, you can hardly have sex with the thing.

My OB has inserted over 400 and has not ever had one pregnancy while a patient had the mirena in. I go back on Tuesday and am not sure whether I will have him remove it or not. Everyone is different and every OB is different. I don't know if the pregnancies are because it was not inserted correctly or it moved out of place. You do have to check the strings yourself to make sure it is in place. My OB check mine every 6 weeks to make sure it has not moved. The pamplet says once a year to have it checked at your yearly if you check your strings once a month yourself. There is a new one that I think was just FDA approved for the US. My OB will be certified and trained on it by the end of the year. It is called Implanon. Go to Implanon.com and click on US customers. There is good literature on it, but I did not like the side effects of it compared to the Mirena.

You have my email address, so feel free to contact me if you have any more questions.

K.

I got a mirena iud after I had my son and 9 months later I found out I was pregnant. I know this doesnt happen to everyone and the chances are small, but they are still there. For me, after it was insterted there were a few cramps but that was it. I had trouble losing weight, migraines, and obviously I got pregnant, so I dont really reccomend it but I know it has been wonderful for other women.