What options do I have whilst breastfeeding?

[LaTristesse]

DD is a few weeks old and I guess I should get back in the saddle with DH . I'm bf and intend to do this as long as I can (as long as she wants to) so need a reasonably long term fp solution). Neither of us are ready for anything permanent although we are both old and are 99% certain we are finished building our family.
I know there are side effects with everything and they all affect women differently so I'm just weighing up my options really. It's not just the mini pill is it?

[PotteringAlong]

I'm exclusively breast feeding too and I went back onto the depo injection when he was 2 week old and have had no problems (though I was on it before with no problems.

[MrsLettuce]

I had a copper coil fitted ASAP after my last pregnancy (6 or 10 weeks, can't remember). It's great, no hormones and nothing to remember.

[PotteringAlong]

I'm exclusively breast feeding too and I went back onto the depo injection when he was 2 week old and have had no problems (though I was on it before with no problems.

[Chubfuddler]

I think you're limited to mini pill, non hormonal coil or condoms. Implant and combined pill are out and so is Mirena coil, I think.

[LaTristesse]

Thanks ladies.DH hates condoms so they're out. Interested in the injection... What happens if I react badly to it? Can they counteract it somehow? And with a coil, can you feel it in there? And is it painful to have fitted/removed?

[MrsLettuce]

No, can't feel it at all. Insertion was fine, much the same as a smear but a tiny bit longer. I think having it done so soon postpartum has been a real bonus for me - it had ages to settle in before my periods started again and has given me no trouble.

[PotteringAlong]

I'm not sure about counter-acting it as I've never had a reason to look into it but it certainty suits me and the 1 jab every 12 weeks approach is definitely low effort!

It might be worth going to the surgery and having a chat with the nurse about it?

[sleeplessinderbyshire]

can have any method apart from combined pill, patch or vaginal ring

so:

Progesterone only pill (mini pill) - cerazette, micronor, noriday etc
Mirena coil (IUS)
Copper coil (IUD)
Nexplanon (implant)
Depoprovera (injection)

Avoid diaphragms/caps this soon ppstnatally as the anatomy will take a while to settle down and the fit may not be right

[Sidge]

Chubfuddler no you CAN have the injection, implant and Mirena when breastfeeding. You just need to avoid oestrogens (eg the combined pill, patch and ring) as they can reduce milk supply.

If you react badly to depo (injection) you're pretty much stuck with it for the 12 weeks but can be given extra progesterone to control bleeding.

The coil can be uncomfortable/painful on insertion (depending on the state of your cervix and your pain threshold) but once it's in you can't feel it (but you can feel the strings if you go rummaging). Coil removal is generally straightforward and much quicker and less painful than insertion.

[gingerbubs]

I have the implant and think its great, seems to suit me well

[DairyNips]

Watching with interest as I need to decide what to use once baby born in June. I don't seem to suit hormonal contraception too well and am sick of condoms. Little bit scared of how often I hear of people falling pregnant whilst they have a coil fitted too though

[lemniscate]

Diaphragms can actually be fitted from 6 weeks postnatally. Its been my preferred choice postnatally both times (and pre DC too actually) have stopped bf now and continuing with it as it works so well for us. No hormones so brilliant with bf, can even put it in every night when you clean your teeth so you're ready if you're in the mood but no problem if not! And instantly reversible should you decide to TTC again. Definitely worth exploring.

[sleeplessinderbyshire]

dairynips a mirena coil fails in 1 in 500, that's 2.5x more effective than sterilisation

For interest relative failure rates (ie conception rates over 12 months for users of each method)


No contraception 90/100
Condoms 5-10/100
Combined pill (taken perfectly) 1/100
Mini pill 1-3/100
Depo injection 1/1000
Implant 1/1000
Mirena 1/500
Copper voil 0.5-2/100 (depending on which one you have - I'd recommend a t-safe Cu380a as gold standard for efficacy)

[DairyNips]

Interesting, does mirena have hormones? Am
I right in thinking they do but at a lower rate than the pill? If do, do you know if it's the same hormones as in the mini pill or the combined pill? It sounds like a good solution although I seem to read people either think it's fantastic or don't get on with it at all

I had the depo when I was younger 3x but started to notice a pattern that it was making me moody ad have mood swings. The combined pills I tried (about 3 types) either made me moody or gave me headaches. I think I was ok on the mini pill but theres too much possibility I'll forget to take it in the time window so won't feel secure on that.

We're certain we don't want any more children so need something long term and effective. Dh would get the snip but after looking in to possible side affects we're not sure we want him to have that..

[Sidge]

Dairy the Mirena releases progesterone - the same family of hormones as the mini-pill (POP).

In theory the hormone is released slowly and in very small doses and is designed to act locally ie within the uterus, but some women do get some systemic side effects from the progesterone as it gets into the bloodstream.

IME Mirena (as well as the implant, depo and most other hormonal methods of contraception) is like Marmite - women love it or hate it. Contraception is such a personal and individual thing. What works for your sister or best friend might not suit you, and vice versa. Often it's a case of seeing a HCP to help you decide what might suit you and fit with your lifestyle and then giving it a go. For most methods, if it doesn't suit after 3-6 months you can then just try something else.

For info, if you like the mini-pill but worry about the 3 hour window for taking it you could try Cerazette - a progesterone only pill but with a 12 hour window!

[DairyNips]

Ah thanks for the info sidge. I think I may have taken cerazette in the past, not sure it suited me I don't understand why the mini pill I took seemed ok but the depo/cerazette didn't suit me in that case of they're all the same hormones.. I think I might look in to the mirena, suppose I can try it and have it removed if no good..

[DairyNips]

Hmm looked on the mirena website and now not so sure. It says not to use if you have had or suspected certain cancers such as cervical cancer, I had to have colposcopy's for a while after abnormal smear results and a biopsy taken. I was eventually given the all clear but not sure if this counts? Also it says if you have large fibroids not to use, I know I have a fibroid (picked up at my 20 wk scan) but not sure how big of if this is relevant. Why can't there just be a method of birth control that is straight forward and works!