I just went to my 6 week checkup (granted, it is week 7) and the doc said my c-section "zipper" looks great. Funny guy.
I didn't opt for tubal ligation because of the slimmest of slim possibilities I might want another baby. You just really never know what life will throw your way. So I need birth control of some sort. I really don't want any more surprises...
Anyway, I am nursing and though it gives some protection from pregnancy at least the first few months that I exclusively breastfeed, I know that I need backup.
Number one option is called the Mini-Pill. I used that when nursing Bella but it cut down my milk quite a bit.
Number two option is what my doc recommends but I have reservations. It is a particular IUD called the Marina and it works for 5 years. It has the greatest success rate in protection against pregnancy, but one in 1,000 patients will get pregnant and the chance of a fertilized egg in the fallopian tube is increased slightly. That would result in a miscarriage or an abortion, both which horrify me. But any birth control carries risk, in all reality.
So today, ladies, I would like your humble opinions on the matter of birth control. Have you tried the IUD? Is there a particular kind of pill you prefer? What have been the upsides or downsides to what you've used? Once I stop nursing, I will most likely get on a stronger dosage pill. I do have worries about taking any pill for an extended period *snort* of time, but it is the safest option I know of without a procedure for hubby that he'd have to be drugged, knocked out and dragged to. I don't think I could forge his name with his limp hand on the paperwork without someone noticing.
Discuss amongst yourselves...
13 comments:
I have had several friends that have used those IUD thingies and have really liked them...ahem, I personally don't like the thought of something being stuck up me for an extended period of time.
If it's just for the short term...could your honey use the old condom stand-by until you have finished nursing? Then you could switch to a pill or a patch.
Oh the logistics of it all! Gives me a headache just thinking about it. And you know what that means....headache = no sex. Thanks a lot!
Ahhh..but le condom is only about 70% safe, according to the doc. He said they fib about reliance. Hmmmmm..."they" meaning manufacturers or "they" meaning any man who uses one?
I am using the condom meathod myself. The mini-pill just made my life way to much fun- NOT! Between not remembering to take the damn thing and being all out of wack BECAUSE of the damn thing... not worth it for me personally. Until you stop breastfeeding there are not a whole lot of options unfortunatly and if you are like me you would rather give up sex then breatfeeding... not that I don't like the former I just wanted to give her a good start. I have had friends use IUD and had no issues but I do know one person who had a tubal with it. What about another barrier method such as... what the hell is that called? I can't remember... the cup thing... DIAPHRAM!!!!!! Sorry, I went blank! LOL Not real romantic and to be honest I think you ahve to insert them ahead of time, like an hour or so and I always thought isn't that putting the cart before the horse... what if he says no... not that would happen but my luck the little device would make that start happening! LOL Guess it is a good thing I am allergic to Noxenal 9! :)
The numbers on condoms are correct BUT... they include teenage hornballs who have no clue as to WHAT they are doing. The main thing with the condom is making sure there is no contact with the "seed" and of course it does have a fail rate- in otherwords they bust out but it is minimal.
I understand though, I am having the same issues myself. I don't like the pill, it makes me feel wonky and others think I AM wonky BUT I am to chicken to want to get "tied" as the "what ifs" are there.... plus I DO want another baby in the next year or so. LOL
You could try the "rythem meathod" although I have a daughter thanks to that little bit of advice... our rythem was off... or on that night! LMAO
I am interested in others ideas on this to be honest, these are just the things I have thought of myself, I am glad you thought to ask!!!!
You are hilarious t-girl...reading your comments it was like watching you have a conversation with yourself! :)
I do appreciate all you said, seriously. I don't think I can do the IUD. Condoms make me nervous but maybe we'll give it a go since I'm just breastfeeding baby for at least 6 months.
I too use the condom method, well, my husband does. I personally don't like it (and I really don't think hubby does either) but, just like 't-girl', the pill made me feel 'abnormal' and I had NO sex drive.
I think hubby would have preferred me going on the pill, but he left the decision up to me.
My mother has the "Marina", and as far as I know, has no problems with it. Although, she's has it for other reasons than birth control.
My doctor also recommended an IUD, but just like you guys, I don't like the thought of something" stuck up there"!
What I am really waiting for is my husband to decide to get a vasectomy to end of all of the birth control issue, but he won't. Not because he or I want more children, but because he doesn't want his "thing" snipped. But THAT is a whole OTHER discussion...
Every man appears to be that way about being "snipped". Just like they all recoil in horror and mock pain when another guy gets injured there, actor or not.
I had Bubby snipped before I even had Izzy. Not even an option...snip or no sex. He chose the former.
BC pills give me terrible, terrible dibilitating migraines. Only took me a couple of years to figure that one out.
This is a hard one. I got fitted for a diaphragm after kid#1, then never got the jelly for it. This rendered it useless and me pregnant within 10 months. I also had gotten my period even though I was steadily breastfeeding in month 6.
Sex has begun to terrify me, which is counterproductive. Condoms help to lessen the fear, but not entirely.
The so-called "Rhythm method" has its problems, but I read a fabulous book called "Taking Charge of Your Fertiity" by Toni Weschler and loved it. It is a tweak on the rhythm method called fertility awareness, and it really helped me become pregnant when that was my goal. My periods were drastically irregular, but I was pregnant the first shot when I understood how to read my body. Having a baby screwed up my readings, but I plan to try to get back to it.
Oh, and incidentally, my existance is thanks to an IUD that failed. Granted, that we 30 years ago, but, although most days I'm thankful to be around, I have avoided that method of contraception.
Good luck!
Thanks everyone! You have all been most helpful!
Things have been great up until last night. I think Ava's hit a growth spurt. She's been grumpy, hungry and pukey. Of course, now that it is morning, she's sawing logs and probably will for a few hours!
the book meeshemama mentioned is the one i used. i sent you the cliff's notes version in email!
I tried the IUD earlier this year. Well, I should say I tried to have it put in. Holy crap did it hurt! It felt like they were inserting a garden tool. Not to be too graphic here...but really, it was awful. I've heard most women don't feel much so maybe I'm sensitive. I didn't like the pill either...I had screwed up periods, cysts, weight gain, etc. Things the pill is supposed to get RID of. Obviously my body does not like hormone games. (Can't wait til menopause....) Until Spouse got snipped we did "pull and pray" and foam simultaneously in case any of the little buggers escaped. Worked fine. I'm probably no help here but I feel like an expert just the same!
PULL AND PRAY!!!! ROTFLMAO!!!
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