I just had my 6 week check up, and got the OK for intercourse with my DH. Obviously, that means back to birth control! However, my doctor (knowing I breast feed) put me on the same birth control I was on before I got pregnant because I mentioned i had a hard time finding one that worked for me before. however, the orthocyclin has estrogen and progesterone in it. i thought I heard you shouldn't take anything with estrogen in it while breastfeeding? My OB simply said that by 6 weeks, my milk should be established and it shouldn't be a big deal, but I'm nervous about starting the pills. I hate to jeopardize my baby's ability to breastfeed, because breastfeeding is really important to me. From what I've read online, its only recommended after 6 MONTHS. Any opinions on this? Or even better, anyone who has taken this form of BC, and how has it effected your milk supply?
Well, I've decided I don't trust my OB. Recommendations said to talk to my OB right away, and yet he was the one who wanted to put me on the pill. So I just didn't fill the prescription. I bought "female contraceptive film" (basically spermicide) instead. Has anyone had a problem using spermicide as a form of birth control?
As far as I know, you should not be on the regular pill, but the mini-pill instead. I would call your OB asap!
My favorite site for looking up this kind of info is kellymom.com. Any question I've had about BF'ing has been answered there. Here is the page that talks about what you're asking:
http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/birthcontrol.html
Hope this helps!
First of all, HOORAY to you for breastfeeding!!! That is THE BEST thing you can do for your baby & yourself!
I would suggest that you avoid ANY hormones at ALL! Use a spermicide. My cousin SWEARS by the foam. The only times she has ever gotten pregnant is when she wanted to & didn't use the foam. That way, you don't mess with your own body's natural hormones. It is safe to use while breastfeeding (since it doesn't go into your blood stream). Introducing synthetic ANYTHING into your system while breastfeeding can not only mess with your milk supply, but can cause a reaction in your sweet baby.
My advice is to avoid the pill while breastfeeding. It was the demise of my milk supply and after several months of trying everything to get my milk supply back, I ended up having to supplement with formula, and by 5 months was solely using formula. If you want to breastfeed, use a form of birth control that doesn't affect your hormones.
Good luck!
I used the mini-pill while nursing my son and had no problems with milk supply. I don't know of any of my friends who used the regular pill with nursing - we all chose mini-pill or condoms - or this 2nd time I've got an IUD in now.
