I have been doing some reading on the IUD for birth control. I thought there were two types available in the U.S., but one source is telling me the only option is the Mirena brand. Can anyone provide any feedback on the IUD, good or bad? Shoot a comment to the blog...
Based on my reading, I am wary of using it the first year since I want to breastfeed again. Long term breastfeeding rates appear "iffy" at first glance. Hmmmmm. Besides, a part of me wants to stay and has stayed far away from hormonal BC... I hated the affects of the Pill, but I know hormonally the Pill is different from the IUD progesterone-only... The pros of the IUD are appealing...
Interesting contradictions here on Wikipedia for nursing mothers. As usual, Kellymom.com has some good info also.
I have the IUD, the paraguard, which is the 10 yr. hormone free kind. I went to the local hd to get removed last week, and they can't find the strings...which means I can leave it in for the remaining 8 years, if it's in there at all...or I can make an appointment with my midwife and get an ultrasound to see if they can locate it...then, they can use an instrument to fish it out...and, lovely, if it has imbedded itself into the lining of the uterus...I will need surgery...all this sans health insurnace, of course. The other possibility is that it is already out, and I just didn't realize it at the time. I can't do the hormones, and I don't believe in long term birth control anymore, and sadly came to realize that the IUD was exactly like that after it was too late. :0(...the only thing that ever worked with any clarity at all was the natual family planning. Hope this helps, hope you find a solution for your family. Take care!
ReplyDeletePaige, I have the Mirena. The other option is a hormone-free copper IUD. The benefit of the Merina is that it tends to lighten periods whereas the Copper one can actually make periods heavier.
ReplyDeleteI have had mine 4 years. Needs to be removed after 5, but a new one can be put in at the same appointment. My midwife recommended it for me. I was still breastfeeding when I got it, and it didn't affect it at all. (though my little one was over a year already)
I LOVE mine. I get virtually no periods-- I sometimes have a day of spotting, but usually only every 3-4 months. There is a very little amount of hormone as compared to the pill. Is Ann S. your midwife? She is also mine, and she is the one that recommended it to me.
We had been doing NFP for about 10 years prior, but after we had our third and last child, I really didn't love the idea of charting until I hit menopause.
~Karen
Hi Paige, I've actually have had both the copper version for a few years and then the Merina. I did have a heavier period with the copper one but not a big deal. I had it removed when we decided to have Chasey boy with no problems at all. When I heard the Merina one can lighten my period considerably, I decided to try it. Apparantly I am in the 1-2% of women who have a ton of side effects with it. I gained weight, got super moody, got more acne, and had headaches when I got my period, etc. VERY rare. I tried the Nuva ring and had all the same side effects so apparantly I absorb way to much of the hormones from my cervic area. I might go back to the copper IUD.
ReplyDeleteKhadijawannabe - NFP DOES make a lot of sense! I just need to figure out how to make it less stressful and time consuming...
ReplyDeleteKaren - Ann S. delivered Z. but this time around I am planning a home birth so I could not hire her for that route! I will probably go with a more local CNM (Lisa R.) in Waynesboro for pp care.
Hi, Paige..
ReplyDeleteBrian and I practice NFP... I am breastfeeding and charting (no temps involved) and our newest addition will be 7 weeks tomorrow. I started charting the day I quit my post partum bleeding. And that was at 3.5 weeks, so I have been charting for 3.5 weeks. Not to bad if you already know or have been through nfp before. I thought it was hard the first time around. Decided to go the nfp route when Abigail was almost 4 months old. Got my period back when she was a week away from being three months old. We avoided a pregnancy until she was 10 months old (almost 11 months old) found out 2 days after she turn 11 months old that we were expecting again. I think once a couple become relaxed about wanting another and become 'laxed about charting then pregnancy will probably follow. We became relaxed about adding another to the family 1 day after she turned 10 months old. Cycled followed that day and we thought we would like to not chart so strictly. Resulted in us knowing 21 days later that we were pregnant.
Hey Paige! Thought I'd add my two cents...I am currently on my second Mirena (There is also the Copper-T Paraguard that is available and lasts 10 years)...I love, love, love the Mirena...it has been super fantastic for me. Little to no side effects and no AF just a little O pain and cramping once a month, spot every now and then...I highly recommend it!
ReplyDeleteforgot to add that I was nursing two times while using the Mirena...did not notice any decrease in milk production.
ReplyDeleteI worry about the possible complications of the IUD embedding in the uterus or even going through it. A friend just had surgery to find and remove hers last week and that's enough to make me continue our process of charting. It really isn't a big deal to use FAM charting, plus I know much more about what's going on with my body/cycle.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read Taking Charge of Your Fertility the first time I couldn't believe all the things I didn't know about. Worth the time if you haven't read it yet.
Good luck.