Mirena Birth Control - Chicago,IL

I had the Mirena IUD inserted last year and it lasted a week before I couldn't stand it anymore and they had to take it out. My ob was puzzled by this, but I kept feeling the string poking me down there. So, she cut it shorter, but that still didn't help. I couldn't walk or sit without it jabing me (the string is like a fishing line consistency). So, it was strange, but I had it removed. I, too, had read that so many people loved it. So, I was very disappointed.

I have heard of it, but I highly recommend the nuva ring. I love it. It is a plastic ring that you insert and it stays in for 3 weeks and then you take it out for one week and then put another new ring in. I had a lot of problems with the pill. Not only did I forget to take the pill but My hormones were so bad. I would be fine one day and the next i was a raging lunitick. The Nuva Ring gets absorb into your vagina so there is no hormonal side effects. I have had no problems with it. I have been on the ring now for 3 years and just love it. There is one fall back on this and I am sorry to be so personal on this, but when my husband and I have sex it kinda rubs him wrong. It doesn't happen all the time. If you are afraid of it falling out, It will not. I have not had one problem with it yet. And like I said earlyer, you insert it for 3 weeks and take it out. I only have my period for like 3 to 4 days and it quits.
If you want more info on it, you are more than welcome to email me at ____@____.com Yes I highly recomend the Nuva Ring. It plays no hormonal rollacoaster with you. Well Goodluck

Isn't that the IUD? If it is, I have had it for 3 years and LOVE it - I don't even think about it until I have my yearly OB/GYN visit - I don't get a period - just some breakthrough bleeding every now and then -

Hope that helps!

Good luck with the new baby - that will be your birth control for awhile!

IUDs (Mirena or the non-hormone copper IUD called Paragaurd) are very effective methods of birth control and wonderful because you don't have to remember to do anything daily or weekly. The Mirena does not contain estrogen so it should not affect milk supply if you plan on breastfeeding. But it does use the same hormone as the Depo shot (a progesterone) and can have similar effects. It delivers the hormone locally (rather than systemically like the shot) so people often have fewer issues with depression, weight gain, etc. But those side efects can still occur. Plus, many women do have significant decrease in the mentrual flow, often having no periods at all after the first 6 months or so. So coming off MIrena and waiting for cycles/fertility to return could possibly be a long wait (just like with the shot).
The other IUD (Paragaurd) has no hormones so should not affect milk supply, cycles, or fertility. IUDs can be put in anytime, but at your 6 weeks postpartum follow-up is one of the best times.
If you are not breastfeeding, NuvaRing (a once-monthly vaginal ring) is a great option. Defiitely talk to you midwife about your choices and concerns. She will be able to provide you with alot of info on all your options including pros/cons and who is the best candidate for each type. Good luck with your decision, and the new baby!
S.

Hi Lani!
Congratulations on your miracle! I do not have the Mirena, I have the Paragard IUD (I didn't want any hormones). I have several friends who have the Mirena and love it.

I am 100% happy with mine and those that I know who have the Mirena are perfectly happy with their choice.

And I will "second" the advice from the mom who said that you are not 100% protected from getting pregnant if you are breastfeeding. I know SEVERAL friends who got pregnant and were exclusively breastfeeding.

So, to answer the IUD question. Yes, I love it. Nothing to think about at all! Oh and my midwife put it in at my six week check up too.
B.

I dont personally have this but my sister has a copper IUD and loves it. Personally I was VERY happy to be off any sort of hormonal birth control - so happy that I decided I'd never go on it again. My son is 10 months old now and we figure we'll think about trying for #2 once he's 13-18 months old.

After 6 months, which is when I introduced solids to my son, I started charting my fertility as a method of birth control. (Incidentally, fertility charting has a 0.4% unplanned pregnancy rate - comparable to the pill - recently published in JAMA). I've personally been VERY happy with this method and also like the Taking Charge of Your Fertility book. (I also have not yet ovulated - it's been 10 months and I'm expecting it any day now, but then, I've been expecting it any day for the last 2 months).

Yes, there are some women who get pregnant while breastfeeding, but IF you're exclusively breastfeeding and IF your baby eats no solids and IF you're less than 6 months out it's 98% effective as birth control.

For my sister, she had her IUD inserted at her 6 week pp checkup and for her it was not going to be cost effective (due to copay and insurance) if she kept it for less than a year. She's been very happy with it.

Hi Lani,

I just had my first child, a girl, last July. Congrats on your bundle of joy!

I, too, cannot take birth control pills. The estrogen may cause my fibroids to grow, and I don't like the Depo shot, so my OB/GYNE suggested Mirena. After I looked at the DVD she gave me and did my own research, I decided to go ahead and get it about 4-5 months after I delivered. It is a short procedure and my doctor went over everything with me before she inserted it. Basically it is a different kind of IUD, as it is inserted into the uterus to release the hormone progesterone. It was uncomfortable, but not painful, not much different than a pap, actually. I had some light cramping afterward, but they gave me Motrin before the insertion. I have had lighter periods and little to no cramping during the periods. No pills to remember and after using it for about 3-4 months, no pregnancy, no problems, and shorter and lighter periods. It will eventually taper off to no periods, so that will be interesting! I highly recommend it, but talk to your doctor first about your particular situation. We are planning to start having another child in about 18 months. Mirena is good for about 5 years, so of course I'll have to have it removed before we start trying. Good luck and keep us posted!

Hi Lani,

I have the Mirena and I love it! The insertion is super-easy (mild cramping for an hour at most), but I did have annoying spotting for the first three months after it was placed. The spotting was very manageable - I just wore panty-liners and that was enough, but it was annoying just the same. Now it's great - no spotting, and I rarely get my period at all, maybe 4 times a year. I have had the Mirena for 2-1/2 years with no issues. It was a bit expensive, but over the 5-years that lasts, it works out to be less than birth control pills. And for the convenience, and for the fewer and lighter periods, it's worth every penny! Just a note, though, I chose Mirena now that I am done having children, so getting pregnant again didn't factor into my decision. Hope this helps, congratulations on your pregnancy, and good luck with your decision!

Congrats on your pregnancy! I have been on it for 9 months now, I had it implanted at my 6 week check-up wih my second child. It is taken out in 5 years or sooner if you decide to get pregnant before. As soon as you take it out your body will adjust and you will be able to try to get pregnant. It really didn't hurt, it sort of left like when you get a pap smear. They also say that it is 99.9% effective. I am happy with it so far. It also does not affect your breastmilk.

Good luck!

I wanted to get the Mirena & my Dr was very supportive, but gave me these cautions. Mirena seems to be very safe & effective, but the reason they market it only to woman who have already have children and are in monogamous relationships is that is has the potential risk, (very small), to create scar tissue in your uterus. This scar tissue can make it very difficult to get pregnant again. He stressed that this was a very, very rare possibility. He also said that he discloses to all patients how the IUD works, it doesn't prevent conception from taking place. He felt patients who hold certain religious beliefs should be aware of that to make an informed decision based upon their beliefs. Mirena doesn't stop you from ovulating or from the egg from being fertilized. It stops the fertilized embryo from implanting.

I've used the Fertility awareness method for 13 yrs. The book Taking Charge of Your Fertility is a great resource. As someone else mentioned the fertility awareness method has a proven success rate of .4% Very comparable to the pill and a non-hormonal, non-invasive form of "birth control".

How exciting to have your little one arriving so soon!! Congrats! You've had lots of great feedback. I just thought I'd give my "2 cents".LOL I have had the IUD for 7 months now and LOVE it! I have NO periods. I nurse as well, so I don't know if that has any factor, but who's complaining?!! I've been on ALL birth control. My 1st child is a "pill baby". Depo made me almost never have kids again! Thank God for my fertility specialist I have my baby girl. Also, I got back to my pre-pregnancy figure within SIX MONTHS this time!! Mind you this is baby #4! So I don't know if it's the IUD but I recommend it to everyone!!! good luck and get your sleep in now!! LOL
H.

Hi Lani. I will get back to you on Monday, that is when I am having it inserted! I was not good with pills either. I am currently on the Nuva Ring and would recommned it. The only problem with the Nuva Ring is that it causes extra moisture and can lead to more yeast infections. I am sorry for being so personal, but that is what happens. Also, the yeast infections do not seem to occur as long as you are fairly sexually active. My husband and I work opposite schedules so intimacy has been an issue lately. I will let you know how it goes on Monday. Three things I can already tell you based on discussions with the nurse: it has to be inserted during your period(YUCK!), it does causing cramping initially, and you are supposed to check on the string monthly but most women don't and it is not a big deal. Three months after it is inserted the nurse checks it and then appointments go back to once a year. It does not cause yeast infections because it is inserted higher up than the nuva ring goes. Congratulations on your little one! I hope this info helps and wasn't too personal, L.

I have had the Mirena now for 4 months. I chose it because I get pregnant way too easily. My last child was conceived using 2 birth control methods, speaking of miracle child. I may want to have one more child but a little down the road. I currently love it. I don't even know it is there and I am starting to regulate now. At first, it is a little annoying. You spot for awhile. It is different for everyone. I got my placed at my 6wk checkup by my midwife. I didn't start bleeding until 1-2 weeks after if was placed and bled for about 1 month continuously. It wasn't heavy but wasn't spotting either. I think that is an extreme case. Everyone just told me to weigh it out and it will be worth it. I think I am there now. I am just getting my periods now with no spotting in between. It is nice. The nice thing to is that it does last for 5 years but you can take it out whenever and regain fertility right away. I highly recommend it!

I have heard good and bad things and I think it depends on your own body how you react to it.

Just wanted to add unlike what the previous poster mentioned, breastfeeding does provide some protection, but you have to be exclusively breastfeeding (ie if you start ANY solids with the baby or supplementing you are not exclusive) and you cannot go more than 5-6 hours at night without breastfeeding. The thing that actually prevents your fertility is the hormone that is released in your body when you nurse, and that has to be in your system constantly in order to prevent a return to fertility.

I would reccomend you taking a look at Natural Family Planning if you do not want to take hormonal birth control. There is a book by Toni Wechsler called "Taking Control of Your Fertility" and I have used those techniques for many years in order to avoid preganancy and to achieve it. If you are good about keeping track of it you have nothing to worry about....my husband and I simply use a condom if we are in the fertile window.

There is also a copper IUD available that has NO hormones at all and might be an option for you. Talk to your midwife and I am sure she will have some suggestions for you! Good luck, and Congratulations!

Congratulations!!! That is such exciting news. Lots to think about...Well, I don't know if this is helpful or not but I can only tell you my personal experience is that I felt awful and gained a TON of weight. (~50 lbs!) And I got off it after 4-5 months I think? Its a while already. But I'll tell you that I learned that (after doing a bunch of research) the pill, the birth controls that promise you only a period a few times a year, or the patch, etc. they ALL mess with your fertility and your health. If you look them all up you will see that there is in fact increased risk of cancer from them, there is increased risk of future infertility, etc. If it took a little bit of effort to conceive this time why would you mess with that?! It is hard enough to get pregnant let alone decreasing your chances with an external object. WHy don't you try discussing the diaphram or condoms maybe even? There are other options too. But any of the oral or dermally inserted items are too risky in my opinion, for whatever its worth. You'll see, after you have one child you often realize you want another sooner than planned originally anyway. I was planning on waiting 4 years and my little one is not even 2 and I've been pregnant, miscarried, and trying again and its not even half the time. Lots can change and your prospectives are about to make a *360 in a matter of days. Hang in there with this decision. Luckily you do not need to make it in the next two months. You've got some time to ponder...Good luck and wishes for a smooth and easy birth and delivery.

I am not on it but a good friend is. She loves it, had some spotting but once her body adjusted(2 months) all was normal. She Breastfed with no problem. Breastfeeding does NOT(yes i am screaming) protect you. Every women is different but I had a little surprise at four months while I was breastfeeding exclusively. Good for you for planning ahead and talk with your midwife. Mine was very knowledgeable and very helpful!

Good luck!

Lani:

Please be aware that for a time after delivery if you are breastfeeding exclusively you will be protected by lactational amenorrhea.

That said, Mirena contains no estrogen so it should not cause difficulties with your milk supply - but there is always a possible risk and so I would suggest that you wait untill breastfeeding is well established before starting hormonal contraception.

Do discuss this with your midwife and find out what she knows or has heard.

Good luck to you,

P., RLC, IBCLC
Pres. Lactation Support Group, Inc
www.lactationsupportgroup.com

Congrats on your new baby!! I'm sure you're very anxious to meet him/her! I have had Mirena for 6 months now. I got it inserted at my 6 week PP appt, right there in the OB's office. It didn't hurt, and hasn't casued me any issues. So far I LOVE IT! I am EBF - and it didn't mess with my supply AT ALL. After 6 weeks - your supply should be pretty regulated anyways. I have had break thru bleeding - well I should say spotting. Just annoying spotting that lasted maybe 4-5 days? Not even enough for a real pad, pantyliners worked perfect. I HIGHLY recommend it. Good luck!

Hi Lani,

I had the mirena placed by my midwife after my six week check up (after delivery). I am very pleased with it and have had no difficulties at all. I have the five year mirena (as opposed to the ten year). I breastfed my son for one month and he is now currently bottle fed. My midwife, at Northwestern Physicians Group, was able to discuss a few options. She is wonderful!!

I hope this helps...
Danya

i had the mirena placed about 2 1/2 years ago. i have a 3 1/2 year old and a 2 year old and do not want any more kids. i LOVE having the mirena. it was placed at my 6 week post-partum check at my OB and it was very easy. prior to both planned pregnancies, i had been on the pill for about 8 years. with taking care of kids, i wasn't sure if i'd be able to remember to take my pill everyday, and i wasn't really into patches or shots. my nurse/midwife that delivered my kids suggested it, i researched it and it is great. very easy to insert and it's good for 5 years. its about the size of a quarter and it goes "inside" and has little "arms" to prevent eggs from being fertilized. i don't know the exact science, but its a slow release progesterone and most women, myself included, stop having periods after about having it for a year. i never had a period once the thing was placed. if i ever decide i do want kids, it can be taken out and i can try to get pregnant right away. if i decide not to have kids, once the 5 year mark comes up, i can have a new one put in or do some other type of birth control. i tell everybody that asks about it that it's a great option for women that have had kids and don't plan on having any more, or not having them for a while. if you want more info, i'm happy to share. hope this helps. L.

Congratulations!
Everyone seems to love the IUD, I can't agree. I must fall into the small percentage that has problems. I had irregular bleeding and extreme cramping that had me doubled over for days at a time. I waited for a few months before I had it removed. I used Depo once, and not having a period for 2 years did some damage, but I have had two children since then. Although the leaking of my breast even 2 years after I stopped breast feeding was annoying, gaining more weight was my biggest issue there. I have a diapghram just in case and am currently on yaz a low dose hormone pill it is a lil easier for me to remember since the whole family take vitamins together at the same time every day. The Nuva ring works best for all of my female friends who don't like the pill. Hope my side doesn't deter you from your interest in a great possibility, like I said it just wasn't for me.

I have a Mirena and I'm happy with it but also somewhat concerned about long-term health effects. But I couldn't tolerate any BC pill, and so far the Mirena has minimal side effects for me except that I have gained some weight. I've only had it about 4 months though. It is expensive though if your insurance won't cover it (and many don't) - about $200 for the insertion, and $500 for the device.

My husband and I used condoms plus some amount of NFP for about 10 years (when not pregnant/breastfeeding) and the "sensitive" style that are made of silicone (I think? Not latex) are really not bad.