Hi Moms...
If you couldn't tell - this post may be TMI for some of you so be ready - SO - my daughter is 8 months old (and nursing) and we are not ready to try for #3 just yet!
-I am one of those people that cannot take birth control (bad reaction to the hormones or something... hives, swelling etc) so even that mini pill while nursing is not an option
-Hubby is not a fan of the condom - can't blame him - I'm allergic to latex so our alternative is that thick lambskin one!
-Doctor said to try the sponge ($4 each - rip off) plus I couldn't get the last one out and had to go to the doctor for help! Yes - embarrassing!
-Now they wrote me a prescription for a diaphragm. I'm a little nervous since the sponge got stuck and quite honestly, I don't like reaching up there to get this stuff out!
-The only other option my doc could think of is the IUD (Mirena I think?) However she is the nurse practitioner and she admitted that my doctor (who I love) will not put them in because of his religious beliefs. She explained that he believed the IUD is a form of abortion since it doesn't allow implantation but does allow ovulation. She said that was not accurate and he was going on old information but I'm confused. I don't want to have a birth control that is the equivalent of an abortion! However, I like the idea of no prep work and the ease of being fertile again once its removed.
Any opinions or facts to help me make this decision? Thank you in advance!!! :)
All I can say is that more and more...I am feeling menapause is a WONDERFUL thing!!
I agree with a previous poster though...a diaphragm and spermicide works very well...no more difficult to insert or remove for me than a tampon...just takes practice.
I used this method for 10 years PRIOR to marriage and kids (at 28). Then again for a year or two til ex got a vasectomy. Then, the 'joy' of menapause'...
Best Luck!!
Michele/cat
Menopause. Works wonders.
Looks like you'll have to use rhythm, natural family planning, or make the decision to be physically intimate without having vaginal intercourse.
First of all, if you have a doctor that won't give YOU an IUD because of HIS religious beliefs, it's time to find a new doc. If it were your religious beliefs, that's one thing, but you should have all options open to you.
The copper IUD is hormone free and great. Some women experience heavy cramping with their periods, but I am not one of them. Once it's in you don't have to think about it for 10 years, but you can take it out as soon as you want.
Just FYI, there are new latex-free condoms - polysomethingorother that are awesome. They don't smell, they're super thin, and you can find them reasonably cheap online. So that's another option too.
Good luck.
We're just using spermicide. Hubby doesn't like condoms and I won't do the pill or any "invasive" contraceptive. I figure its not the end of the world if we do get pregnant since we are happily married, so spermicide is enough. Cheap too. :-)
FYI: The IUD Mirena contains progestin (synthetic progesterone) which is proven to be a leading cause of breast cancer. Progestin blocks your body from making real progesterone which can/will cause all sorts of problems in your body including bone loss and cancer. I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole!
The intent of an IUD is to prevent the implantation and life of an already fertilized egg that has made it's way down to the uterus in the effort to implant and grow into a full term baby. Your doctor is right-this is not an assumption-this is why they are used. A diaphragm is probably easier to use than the sponge-which I thought had been taken off the market??? Are you familiar with the rhythm method? It is responsible for (roughly) 1.7 billion Catholics-imagine if it were not in use! BTW-i am Catholic-and I don't judge- could your husband have a vasectomy? They are often reversable.
From the time my daughter was born in 89 to me starting menopause we used the pulling out method, I was 32 and my Dr. didn't want to put me on BC. it worked i have 3 all planed. J.
OK. You believe that your Dr. thinks that the IUD CAUSES abortions? No,no,no,no,.....NO! An inplant PREVENTS pregnancy.....doesnt disolve it.
The only thing I DONT understand about "religious" people with their "I am more sacred than others" , when it comes to birth control......if you dont want more children.....just stop f^#%ing!
You need to seek a womens course about how the female body works.
I'm fairly certain I've used everything under the sun! A diaphragm is a good option w/ spermicide. You can always get it and try it. I have had both IUD's and I ♥. them. I can't do hormones they make me crazy...literally which is why I ended up removing the Mirena. Regardless now we use natural planning and condoms during the 'high risk' times of the month. NFP isn't for everyone. I really like this website:
http://americanpregnancy.org/preventingpregnancy/fertilit...
After I started looking for signs I was really aware and able to figure out what was going on with my cycles then I felt comfortable enough to not use protection at all times of the month.
Go buy the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Dr. Toni Weschler. It will help you track your cycles and avoid pregnancy. I am in the same boat with you on the hormones and latex allergy. :-P You can't use mirena either... it has the same hormones as the pill.
Your other option is a copper IUD. If your GYN won't insert it, find another GYN. My GYN swears by hers and doesn't have any issues taking it out and getting pregnant which she has done twice since I have known her.
I got the ParaGard IUD and I love it! It's the copper one and I chose it because it doesn't have hormones. The nurse practitioner is right, that is old information. My midwife has had both the Mirena and the ParaGard. She said since I already have bad mood swings, she recommended no hormones. I got mine done a Plan Parenthood which will probably be significantly cheaper if you have a high deductible. My sister in law had a baby 7 months ago and got the same thing and she loves it as well. I have always had horrible periods and they have become increasingly easier w/my iud. I've had it right at a year; got it just after I had my son. Of course there are horror stories with everything but I love it. It may be a little uncomfortable to get it since it's been a while since you had your baby. I had mine done when my baby was 6 weeks old and it wasn't anymore uncomfortable than a pap. Just one persons story. Good luck!
Abstinence works for me!! There has only been one case in human history where that did not work, and an angel told the virgin mother beforehand that it would happen, so no surprises!
I am also a nursing mom and not ready to have another maybe, maybe no more kids at all, we have 2. I just had the copper IUD (paragard) put in. Its hormone free and good for 10 years. It didnt even hurt being put in. Im super anti-abortion and have an IUD. It's a personal decision that only you can make, and your doctor should not be forcing her religious beliefs on you or affecting your options for birth control. After having the paragard removed, you can get pregnant right away, same as being a fertile women with no birth control, thats what their site claims anyways.
