*****Mears***** you have me worried now

[burstingbug]

about the pill and breastfeeding
It will be ok won't it?

[mears]

If you have found that you still have milk then you are fortunate to be able to use it.

I was just surprised that you have been prescribed it considering you are breastfeeding. The main problem is that it can reduce or stop milk production. If that hasn't happened then you are probably OK.

[mears]

It is the combined pill were are talking about here for anybody else looking

[burstingbug]

Dr did say it may reduce supply, not sure what I'd have done if it had stop. He didn't offer me any other alternative though like a coil, implant, injection or anything else

[burstingbug]

meant had stopped milk supply.

[mears]

The only other problem with using the pill when breastfeeding is the exposure of baby to hormones. I felt uneasy taking progesterone only pill for that reason.

I think to be honest that the combined pill may lead to problems with breast feeding which can be avoided.

What about a mirena coil?

Family planning clinics are better than GPs at advising on methods of contraception

[mears]

Have you noticed any change in milk supply BTW?

[burstingbug]

No, haven't noticed a difference, not that I'm aware of.
Coils can lead to probs too can't they? Heavier periods, getting lost or coming out?

[Pitchounette]

Message withdrawn

[mears]

The mirena coil works more locally in the uterus though.Reduces bleeding.

Coild need to be checked regularly that they are still inposition. Although they can move it is rare. They definitley don't affect milk production which the combined pill can.

If you are happy on the pill and you have no problems with milk production, then stay as you are.

I have heard of GPs prescribing the combined pill to women who did not realsie thatit could affect their breastfeeding. Should definitely be avoided in the early months.

[burstingbug]

Surely the Dr should have given me options and spoken to me about other methods?

[mears]

Yes he should have. That is why family planning clinics are better.

[theUrbanDryad]

burstingbug - i'm on the Progesterone only Pill and noticed that for the first week of taking it ds was a bit sicky and whingey, but he has settled down fine now. would def agree with mears about going to see family planning clinic or practice nurse rather than gp. when i saw my gp for ds' 6 week check, she asked me about contraception, and i said we were using lactation as a method (was still doing 3-4 night feeds at that point!) and she said "Well, you're clearly an idiot."

anyway, go see your local FPC, and if i were you i would maybe have a chat with your practice manager about the fact that the gp didn't offer any alternatives.

[burstingbug]

I may go and see fpc, just to see what they say. Def remember Dr only offering mini pill at 6 week check which I kept forgetting then went to see another Dr who basically said condoms or back on microgynon. DH is allergic to latex, so that limits us on that option.

[incywincy]

mears,

sorry to hijack thread but with polycystic ovaries and raised hormone levels would they affect baby too?

thanks

[maxbear]

You can get latex free condoms from FPC's.

[burstingbug]

They only give you 4 or 5 at a time, even then they're reluctant to do so as they are more expensive

[mears]

incywincy - There is a difference with naturally occuring hormones and synthetic hormones that are in the pill I think. Don't really think it is an issue.

[incywincy]

thanks