Lactation and Birth Control Advice

Hi S.. I had the Mirena IUD inserted after the birth of my son and I breastfed with no problems what so ever. It has been really great not having to worry about birth control. I have had it for about 2 1/2 yrs now. I am actually now considering going back on the pill (going to discuss with doctor) due to my whacky hormones. I don't think it's at all related to Mirena. I had issues as a teenager with acne, and PMS, etc and the pill helped keep all that under control. I just thought at 31 I might have outgrown all of that mess. Overall, I have been very pleased with Mirena and would definitely recommend it. Good luck with your decision.

Congrats on your second daughter! I had my third son almost 10 months ago and, like you, used the mini-pill after my second son. This time the Mirena was recommended to me, as well, since it doesn't interfere with breastfeeding. I hadn't even heard of it but then I wasn't really looking for a birth control method. After baby boy #3, I was looking for something reliable that I wouldn't have to take on such a rigid schedule (mini-pill). I had it placed when my son was 3 months old and haven't had any problems with it so far. It was a bit uncomfortable to have it placed and it did cause some spotting for about a month but so far so good. I have been exclusively breastfeeding without any decrease in milk production and my son is a very healthy 21lbs! I would recommend the Mirena for someone with a busy lifestyle & a desire for a more long-term but not permanent method of birth control. I did my research online and asked my doctor lots of questions beforehand. Good luck!

read up on ALL complications associated with IUD. I had major problems.

I got the Mirena when my son was 6 weeks and continued to breastfeed afterwards. However, like the other moms here, I would definitely think long and hard about the pros and cons of the Mirena. At first I loved it. However, after having it for about 1 year, I started having strange body aches, horrible acne, irregular and painful periods, and many, many problems with ovarian cysts. Make sure you go out and google the side effects from other women- don't listen completely to the doctors on this one. I feel like I wasn't given the whole story at the time I had it put in.

Hi S.,

I got the Mirena just after baby #2 was born... please be cautious about getting it. I only heard wonderful things about it... how your period gets lighter to almost non-existent... supposedly evens out mood swings and what not... Supposedly it takes a few months to even out... but I've had mine for almost a year and a half and my period is completely out of whack. It lasts for almost 2 weeks, is heavier than I've ever had before. I have horrible mood swings and bad cramping. My first two doctors didn't seem very concernced and said it probably wasn't the Mirena causing it, but I just can't take it anymore. After reading online about women having similar symptoms, I'm having mine removed this week.

Just weigh all the pros and cons before you get it.

Good luck!

D.

Congrat on the new baby!
Mirena seems to be compatable with nursing. I got to kellymom for most of my questions about nursing and here is what is on the site and the link to the info to read more if you feel like it
http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/birthcontrol.html

Progestin-only contraceptives are the preferred choice for breastfeeding mothers when something hormonal is desired or necessary.

Progestin-only contraceptives come in several different forms:

the progestin-only pill (POP) also called the "mini-pill" (Micronor, Errin, Nor-QD, Ovrette, Microval, etc)
the birth control injection (Depo Provera)
the progesterone-releasing IUD (Mirena, Progestasert)
the birth control implant (Norplant, Implanon)

Milk supply: For most mothers, progestin-only forms of contraception do not cause problems with milk supply if started after the 6th-8th week postpartum and if given at normal doses. However, there are many reports (most anecdotal but nevertheless worth paying attention to) that some women do experience supply problems with these pills, so if you choose this method you still need to proceed with some caution.

If you're interested in one of the longer lasting progestin-only forms of birth control (the Depo-Provera shot lasts at least 12 weeks, but effects may be seen up to a year; the Mirena/Progestasert IUD and the Norplant implant can last up to 5 years), it may be a good idea to do a trial of progestin-only pills (mini-pill) for a month or more before deciding on the longer-term form of birth control. If you find that you are among the women whose supply drops significantly due to progestin-only birth control, you can simply discontinue the pills - rather than struggling with low milk supply for several months until the shot wears off or you get the implant or IUD removed.

Do note that the Mirena/Progestasert IUD delivers its hormone directly to the lining of the uterus, which only leads to a slight increase in progesterone levels in the blood stream (much lower than that found with the progesterone-only pill). As a result, there is much less chance of side effects from the progesterone than from the Depo-Provera shot or mini-pill.

Milk composition: At higher doses than normal this type of pill can affect the content of breastmilk. At these higher doses it has been shown to decrease the protein/nitrogen and lactose content of the milk. At regular doses, this does not seem to be as likely.

Safety: Progestin (progesterone) is approved by the AAP for use in breastfeeding mothers. See below for additional information on side effects related to lactation.

I have a 6 month old who is exclusively breastfeed and have the Mirena IUD. I was very nervous about any hormonal aspect of birth control with nursing for the same reason so I asked my midwife and she told me that she has never had anyone have a problem with that IUD and nursing because the hormone levels are so very low. I had the IUD placed at about 6 weeks and haven't had any problems with my milk supply from it. Check around a bit because every woman's body reacts to things a bit differently, but I did have issues with the pill and lactation with my first child (before the mini pill was out), and have been really pleased to not have problems this time.

Hi, I did get the Mirena IUD at my 6 week check up after my daughter and I was very happy with it. I kept it in for 2 1/2 years without any problems. I liked it so much better than when I was ever on the pill (less side effects and better lighter periods!!!).
I am 7 months pregnant now and plan on getting it after this baby. I was able to nurse with it fine, it was what my doctor reccommended and heppy she did. Did your doctor say that it could? I am due for my 28 week check up and I will ask my doctor the same question and let you know, I am curious on different doctor answers.
But for the most part I could nurse and I did love not having to keep up with taking the mini pill and a period that only lasted 2-3 days. So far that is my only choice for after this baby. Hope this helps.

I didn't experience any decrease in milk production personally. I had my second child 11 months ago, had Mirena inserted 2 months after her birth, and I and am still nursing/pumping for her exclusively today. And I must say, I do love the freedom of no pills to remember and then hide from the kids for safety too. It's one less thing for me to worry about and I'm very thankful for that! And as a side benefit, my husband loves that I'm not worried anymore about having another kid and having to remember if I took the pill that morning or not. It's made our spontaneity and life much better :-) Good luck!

i had the mirena too when my babay was 3 months and i was breastfeading too it does not affect the baby or you, but with the mirena i had a hard time i had a period for 1 month was always very angry and 3 friends got a a small tumor, have you read the side effect i had my taking out but every woman is different

I am currently breastfeeding my 18mo old. I got the Mirena IUD when he was about 5 or 6 mos old. Havent had any issues with it at all, and am glad I got it. I didn't notice any milk decrease at all. The only thing that bothered me was when my periods first starting going away with it, I got a little nervous even though I knew this was likely to happen. The hormone levels are very very low, and I havent noticed any hormone-related side effects. My sister also got the mirena at a couple months post-partum and breastfed for a couple months after that until she had to stop for other reasons.

You should definitely research the side effects, but keep in mind there are side effects with everything, and the percentages of people with issues are pretty accurate with what they say.

Hey Stacy,

I have an 11 week old and I had the Mirena inserted at my post-partum checkup. It did cut down on my milk supply very briefly (but I took fenugreek for a few days and that helped.) I hated the IUD. I never stopped bleeding the whole time I had it in. I had this uncomfortable fullness in my pelvis and it made sex painful. It's great birth control (works as well as a vacectomy) but it just does not work for some women. It's probably worth a try. I know a few women who have loved it. I had mine taken out after 4 weeks and I'm very glad I did.

I usede the paragaurd IUD when I wasnursing its non-hormonal and very effective. You bleed a little heavier the first few months till your body get used to it then you go back to normal. Itsgood for 10 years but I had it removed after 2 and was able to try right away. My friend used mirena and her milk dried up in just acouple months and she had to stop nursing at 9 months. Think hard but I wouldnt suggest it

I don't have personal experience with the Mirena IUD but you've gotten great responses on both pros and cons. I agree that googling Mirena IUD side effects and researching more would be in your best interest. I do know of women who had the IUD & found out they were pregnant. They were considered high risk because of the location of IUD in reference to placenta & baby. Some of these women experienced early pregnancy losses due to the IUD as well. Research both sides and make the choice that is best for you.

Good luck,
J.

Hey! I actually got Mirena and am still breastfeeding. I have an almost 7 month old and I was worried about the same thing....as it turns out, Mirena has progesterone which does not interfere with breastfeeding... estrogene does, which is why you can't take a normal pill. The mini pill is about worthless for a BC anyways, which I beleive is where the push for Mirena is coming from.
I love my Mirena! I've had it for aout 2 months now. The first 2 days I was crampy (like a period) and the the first week i could kind of "feel it.." Not painful or crampy, just like i knew it was there, if that makes sense. Now I feel nothing and have no worries!!
Good luck with what you choose!

good morning,
my name is S..i do not know to much about birth control other than are we suppose to take it?we as women of god have kinda fallen away from biblical principals.you sound like a very sound women of god and you love him very much then i know you will see more clearer following his principals rather than man.there are so many birth control out there and the majority of them are not safe.i work for a hospital on the mother and baby unit.the best thing to do is to seek god for advice he does know best.it is good to communicate with fellow sisters in the lord.let me know what you decide to do.continue to be blessed.

Hi S.,

I suggest you contact one of our local La Leche League leaders or attend a meeting. The have medical journals about which drugs or devices are safe to use while breastfeeding and will be offer you the support and encouragement you need to nurse as long as you want to. Use this link to join the local LLL yahoo group to get phone numbers and meeting dates and locations.

Best wishes,
E.
mother of a 4 year old whom I nursed for 27 months
mother of a 26 month old whom I am still nursing