Okay Mommas...
I can't say I am completely done with having children...actually, I can say I am not but my husband says we are done. Either way, it doesn't matter at this point in time b/c I know that emotionally, and financially we do not need another child. But we have agreed in a couple of years to revisit the subject.
So, I breastfed my second child up until last month when she turned a year old. Until then I was on a low hormone birth control pill. I was HORRIBLE at taking it and actually that is the reason why my children are 19 months apart. My husband and I have been extremely careful this time around, but condoms are not our best solution as I tend to have a reaction to them which sometimes leads to rashes. Not too much fun!
I go back for my annual at the end of the month and plan to talk to my doc about my options then. I thought that I would go for the shot b/c it was simple and quite frankly having something permanently inserted in me such as an IUD didn't really seem right to me. Something about it just gives me the hibby jibbies...but after looking online, etc, it seems the shot has a lot of bad side effects.
So I need help! I know that the pill would probably be the best, but my schedule is not consistent and thus it makes taking a pill at the same time every day very very difficult. Anyone got a better idea?!
Have you tried a different type of condom? Lambskin works with much less irritation. I can't use the normal kind! It is more expensive, but it's much more comfortable.
DO NOT DO DEPRO PROVERA. My OB put me on it before I got married because she would not prescribe Acutane unless I was on birth control I took it for a year and gained 45 pounds!!!
I am in the same situation and after trying most of the birth control methods I decided on the IUD and I love it. My doctor said the shot would make me gain weight. So far no side effects with iud.
If you want to use a hormone method there are patches, Nuva Ring and I think an IUD with hormones (Mirena). I haven't tried the shots but once you get it you can't stop taking it if you have a reaction so it wouldn't be my first choice. At least you can stop taking a pill or remove the other options.
The sponge is just spermicide in a sponge. If you have a reaction to condoms you need to see if it is the latex or the spermicide you are reacting to. Both non latex condoms and condoms without spermicide are available so you could see which are good for you. You can also get spermicide as a jelly (inserted with an applicator). I have had no problems with using just spermicide for the last 5 years (I had 2 planned kids and in that time). The only down side is it being a bit messy.
A really good site with lots of birth control information is bedsider.org
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I also took the low hormone pill will breastfeeding. I decided I didn't want to do any more hormone stuff at all so I went with the non-hormonal IUD. I too, was a little hesitant at first but haven't had any trouble except heavier and longer cycles but I think they are starting to even out. When I had it placed, it was just like going in for an annual exam. I did have some cramping pains after for a short bit but Ibuprofen took care of that. Rarely, I do feel a little pinge of pain during intercourse but nothing major. So far it's worked well for me. Talk to your doctor about all your options and go with what you feel is right for you.
The Mirena IUD is the best birthcontrol in the world. You will fall in love with it. I can not say enough good things about it, and I've turned on every single one of my friends to it- never heard a complaint. It's wonderful.
The shot does have a LOT of bad side effects for many people. I would recommend the patch. you put it once a week and ur done. Or if you are on the ortho family you can get a case with a reminder on it.
Would you be willing to look into Natural Family Planning? I hear it's very effective when done correctly and consistently.
just know when you're fertile. it's only a few days per month. easy.
tracking fertile mucus sounds gross but it's as simple as paying attention when you use the toilet. i totally know what day i'm ovulating, and we wait 4 days after that just to be sure. even if you are breastfeeding or have irregular cycles you can know based on mucus patterns, it's more relaible than rhythm methods or basal temperature or "day 14".
my sister in law is pregnant with an iud right now, (yes, the baby is growing in her uterus with an iud floating around it) it's a high risk pregancy and has potential of complications. so. probably one in a million chance, but it happened. i'd much rather know when i'm fertile and be careful than be carefree on birth control and get prego anyway.
How about the sponge?
My OBGYN recommended it to me.
I've had the hormone-free (copper) IUD for a year. I love it! Like PP, there was some cramping when inserted and it took me a few months to level out with the cramping. Now, actually I little to no cramping! My periods are heavier for the first 2-3 days but then it's like spotting for a 2 days. I don't have to worry about the pill- taking it at specific times, being careful with antibiotics, condoms, ect. I love it!
I really liked the IUD, I was just one of the .002% (or something like that-a VERY low %) of people who expel IUD's. I couldn't keep one in. Anyway, if you just can't go with something like an IUD, I recommend checking into the NuvaRing or the patch. Both are only 1x mo, and lasts all month long. A "set it and forget it" type thing. Good luck!
I have the Mirena IUD and I absolutely love it. I could never remember to take the pill which is the reason my first child was born. When I went back for my 6wk checkup I opted for the Mirena and when we were ready for our second child I went back and had it removed - just an office visit, easy as that. Now I have it again and I'm just as happy with it the second time around. It is very effective, you don't feel anything (if you or your partner notice it then go back to the dr to snip the end a little shorter or try to move it a little yourself), I rarely have a period and when I do I only spot for a couple days. I really don't think you'll be dissapointed, insertion doesn't feel any different than a pap smear and it is actually less expensive if you have insurance b/c you only pay the copay once instead of every single month. Plus you never have to worry about a refill or changing it out and you don't have to worry about condoms. Good luck!
I have used the patch and Nuva Ring in the past. I probably liked the patch best. The Nuva Ring I always had increased secretions down there, so I didn't like that. The patch I had no side effects from. Change weekly and your done. Good luck.
I also am bad about taking a pill everyday and it also made me a little cuckoo... After I had my first i got on the pill and lost all the weight. but since I couldn't remember to take it i got pregnant in 2 months. After that i wanted the shot. I wasn't breastfeeding so i got it with in the first 4-6 weeks I think. I still have yet to lose that baby weight and it was almost 13 years ago. I have recently done advocare which was helping before I got pregnant. The shot also made me completely insane. My hubby and I were just using condoms before we were ready and tried lots of different ones. I would try some that are different and maybe that will help. I would stay away from the Depo shot!!
Ask your doc about the nuva ring. It's a flexible ring that you insert into your vagina that emmits hormones similar to the birth control pill. After 28 days, you take it out for 1 week, then reinsert a new one. When I first gone one WAY back, they included a free timer that I live by. It stays in my medicine cabinet and it counts down the days until you remove the ring and beeps when it's time to reinsert. Pretty fool proof! I've used it for years and really like it. There are some downers...sometimes I can feel it when we are intimate, and it's still hormones, but it's not something you have to think about daily.
