Birth Control While Breastfeeding?

I will caution you about the mini-pill.. my girlfriend got pregnant 2x's while on the mini-pill- even though the doctor said that the first time was a "unusual"

I took the mini pill with my first which messed up my milk supply. So with my second I was looking for something more permanent, so I got the Mirena IUD, and I LOVE IT!!! No pill to take everyday and no interruption in my supply. I got it 8 weeks after my daughter was born and she is now 4 1/2 months. I had no side effects, just a little cramping for 2-3 days, not bad though.

Good Luck!

I am in the same boat. I have been prescribed a low dose Projesterone birth control pill, called YAZ. I think there are several breast-feeding safe birth control pills. My problem is that it costs $65 a month and my insurance doesn't pay for it....but if I were a male, they would pay for that Bob Dole medicine to get a boner...what is it called? Anyhow, that ARGHS me to no end. :)

My midwives suggested an IUD for me, and I've been pleased.

I had a water birth too, after my water broke sitting down to Turkey dinner!

My doctor sent me home from the hospital with the progesterone-only mini pill. Which, I had no problems with (as far as my milk supply goes). I've always had problems with hormonal birth control methods (bleeding and cramping), but the mini-pill bothered me the least. Your doctor will be able to fill you in on what's best. Good luck to you!

I see a lot of recommendations for the "mini-pill", but you can also use condoms. I know it may seem like a hinderance, but it's less of an issue than another baby before you're ready. I couldn't use any chemicals in my body and wound up using an IUD (paragard, i believe). Worked for 4 years. Just be sure to follow the instructions carefully. I liked that form of contraception and it worked for me, but I lapsed on checking the string after a few years and wound up having to go through an ectopic preg. due to a dislodgement. Whatever you use, be sure to follow the instructions closely.

My response is going to be different than all the others...Please read no judgement or sarcasm into this. I'm just wondering at the irony of your home water birth compared to seeking unnatural forms of birth control. Just as you trusted your body to bring forth your baby in its proper time, you should also trust it to know when to become pregnant again. If you are nursing on demand, the likelihood of pregnancy is very small. Some may disagree with me, but I firmly believe that the power of life and death is in God's hands. He gives us choices and free will, though. We can leave our bodies totally open to his plan, both in the creation of babies and the birthing of them, or we can take it all into our own hands. I have found an amazing amount of peace in trusting him and praying through each decision that my husband and I make together. We weren't comfortable with using any type of man-made chemical in my body, but we also weren't ready to get pregnant right away after my daughter was born. We used condoms until we were ready. We talked and prayed and talked and prayed, and that was what gave us peace.

My doctor put me on a progesterone mimi-pill. It gives the absolute least amount of hormone possible and works with the breastfeeding hormones to prevent pregnancy. It's safe for baby, but it might have contributed to my post-partum depression. We're not sure. Progesterone is the hormone that causes PMS.

Hi Carrie,
Your options are progesterone-only hormonal methods such as progesterone only birth control pill (has to be taken at the same time every day; if you are 2-3 hours late you may get pregnant), Depo-Provera (intramuscular injection you get every 3 months) or Mirena IUD (good for 5 years). The key is to avoid estrogen since it interferes with milk production. If you want to avoid hormones all together you can also try copper IUD (Paragard - good for 12 years). Of course, there are always condoms.

An IUD or the mini-pill.

Hi Carrie,
I am of the same mindset and have a non-hormonal iud called Paragaard that was recommended by my midwife/naturopath. I am also breastfeeding. Aparently the difference between Paragaard and the hormonal one, side effect wise is that with Paragaard you're periods are longer and heavier. I have not experienced that. We don't use ANY other birth control and I"m not preg.
Amy

I used the mini pill. It worked fine for me. But I have heard from others it decreased your supply. You could also check in this book called Medication & Mothers Milk. It's a good resorce.

Good luck!

I have the mirena IUD now and had it between kids too and love it! It was slightly uncomfortable the first day (cramping) but then I've had no periods either time. And after getting it out I was pregnant six weeks later. The hormones are released locally and don't seem to affect anyone I've heard of personally. Good luck!

The minipill worked for me and it is less hormones than the regular pill. I took it until my daughter was 13 mo and then we started trying for #2. My midwife informed me this time that the minipill isn't as effect after about 6 mo when the baby is nursing less and eating more table foods.
Basically talk to your dr.

I just got a Mirena IUD. It does have some hormones (progesterone), but its a small amount (less than in the progesterone only pill) and you can use the IUD for up to 5 years. Some people have said that it hurt quite a bit to have it put in but my experience was pretty good. Didn't hurt much at all.

Medina IUD! I love mine and you don't have to remember anything after it is put in. When you want to get pregnant, just have it taken out. You can leave it in up to 5 years.. if you want.
There is a VERY small amount of hormone but because it IN your uterus, it is exactly where it is supposed to be... and therefore, it is EXTREMELY less than a pill. I couldn't use pills but I can use a Medina IUD.
Ask your doctor about it.

Hi Carrie~
Good for you with your home birth! I also delivered a beautiful baby girl at home in our hot tub with my partner, in April! It was the best experience of my life!
As far as birth control pills, I chose a POP pill - progestrin only pill. It's called Micronor. I have been on it for 4 months now and have really enjoyed it. Be careful though. They warn that a stronger pill will be necessary when you stop breast feeding.
All the best!
Warmly~
T.

I have the Mirena IUD. I decided against the Mini Pill because the low dose of hormones means that I would have been very accurate at taking it every day at the same time -- which I'm not good at!

The IUD has been great (I've had it for more than 2 years). The only issue I had was that for the first year while breastfeeding w/ it in, I spotted nearly constantly. Although it was definitely easier to remember to put a panty-liner on than to take a pill. Once my son stopped nursing at night, I started ovulating again and my cycles came back for real and I stopped spotting. I had a few full cycles, and then my body gradually adjusted to the IUD and I don't get them anymore -- which is very normal on the Mirena. It's nice to not have to deal w/ cycles AND a toddler. ;)

My midwife has been willing to do either a low dose pill or an IUD when I was breastfeeding. I have heard great things about Mirena, and my midwife and I are planning to get that in place after this baby.

The paraguard IUD does not contain any hormones and is effective for up to 10 years.

Your OBGYN can perscribe a birth control pill that is safe to take while breast feeding.

*K

Talk to your OB/GYN about Loestrin 24. That's what I was on and it worked, but has low doses of estrogen.

your dr is the best person to ask for what is safe often the perscription ones might help dry up your milk

I am also breastfeeding and my doc prescribed the mini pill. It's a low dose hormonal birth control called Jolivette. Hope this helps.

My OB put me on the mini-pill, which is progesterone. It is safe for breastfeeding, but is not a reliable form of BC if you are not lactating. If you stop breastfeeding you will need to use a different type of birth control pill.

I am breastfeeding and I take the mini-pill. It seems the safest to me. I don't want anything in my body all of the time. The only down fall is that you have to remember it at the same time everyday. I have tried the "shot" before and I gained weight and had crazy periods. The mini-pill is as close to a regular cycle as you can get. I hate taking medication too but my youngest son is 4 months and we are not sure if we want any more children.

I got the Mirena in about 2 months after baby #2 and was still breastfeeding. The info says it "may decrease breastmilk supply" but my doctor said it is actually more likely that it will increase it (which is what happened with me), they just have to say that if it is a possibility at all. I loved the IUD, but there is this stiff little string that hangs down from it and my husband did NOT appreciate that at all. I guess you could say the IUD made getting pregnant impossible since we pretty much practiced abstinance while it was in. I finally got it out a few months later and got a low dose progesterone only pill. I spotted some on it but could still breastfeed and didn't get pregnant. If you are thinking of getting any sort of birth control or even going to your doctor for a consultation please call your health insurance first (assuming you have some) to make sure it is covered. The Mirena is around $500-700 if not, and any follow up visits for string adjustments cost additional. Hope you find something that works for you. My doctor did say that I was very "unusual" - that most people did not have a problem with the string.

I got the Mirena IUD 8 weeks after having my daughter. It's been almost a year now and I did not experience any adverse side effects, not effects on my milk supply or any of the problems I used to have on a regular (combination) pill.
Mirena works by releasing it's hormone mostly locally in your uterus, only minute amounts make it into the rest of the body and it is not associated with the heavy periods or cramping that can come with copper IUD's - rather the opposite, Mirena can make your periods much lighter and less frequent.
My main reason for choosing the IUD over the mini pill was that there was NO WAY that I would have been able to remember to take the mini pill at the same time every day (it has to be taken every 24 hours on the hour or it will loose effectiveness).
Talk to your doctor or midwife about it... they can help you find a choice that works for you.

I have heard that getting a IUD is GREAT if you don't want to mess around with the pill. I know that one kind doesnt use any chemicals and one has a very small amount? Just one of the many options :)

If you have no moral issues with an IUD I would also suggest Mirena. I've had it 9 months and it's been fantastic. I cannot take traditional hormone based birth control, but the hormone level of the Mirena is so low that I can use it. I have not noticed ANY hormone based side effects at all. The spotting at the beginning was annoying but now my periods are 3-4 days of minor spotting and that's it. Nothing needed but a pantyliner.

I took the mini pill with my first (for 10 mos) and again for the first 6 weeks after my second until I got the Mirena done.

I was looking for something a little more permanent and less "day to day" this time around so I chose an IUC. I would research it and ask your friends who have them what they think - everyone has a different experience. I haven't had any issues with mine. It is a little uncomfortable to be put in - so take some advil before you go.

Good Luck