Let's talk about post-natal contraception!

[Laurtopsy]

I am 3 weeks postpartum with DD2 and I'm looking for birth control recommendations.

Backstory: I am 22, overweight but generally healthy, I have been on the pill since I was 15 and conceived DD1 while taking Microgynon 30 religiously at 18 and came off it to TTC DD2 earlier this year. I've never had intense reactions or bad side-effects to the combined pill but I feel I need something more permanent that can't be affected by antibiotics or me being an idiot and forgetting to take a pill. DF and I are sure we don't want any more children for at least five more years since we're working on getting married, buying our house and him getting fully qualified as an electrician but we will re-evaluate the situation in five years time.

I've been looking in to the Mirena IUD, Implanon and the injection. Does anyone have any experience with any of these and if so, how do you find them? Right now we're using condoms (yes, I managed a whole 11 days without sex with DF after a vaginal homebirth with no tears and no complications apart from a retained placenta ) which, to be honest, is costly and annoying but much less costly than a new baby so soon .

I'm seeing a doctor at my local FPC Monday morning to make my final decision about birth control but any input and/or experience would be immensely appreciated.

[OldLadyKnowsNothing]

I have a Mirena and am a huge fan, but am aware that there can be problems with this as there are with other methods. Really, no-one can say how you will find the Mirena, the implant or the injection; but the implant and the Mirena can both be removed if you have problems.

Be aware that the Mirena can cause breakthrough bleedng and so on for 6 months or so after it's put in, and that some health authorities are not happy about having it taken out if it doesn't suit. Check with your doctor. :)

[ISNT]

I have a mirena, it seems fine. Got it put in after DD2. I know that some people do have real trouble with it - I think the hormones disagree with them. I was on the pill for years though with no side effects so maybe that is why mirena is fine.

If you do experience side effects you can get it taken out (although some stories on here say that you might have to push them to do this).

Basically what OLKN said.

[cazzybabs]

I have just had the mirena put in ... it didn't hurt (don't google) and so far no bleeding other than spotting on the 1st day. What sold it for me was that it can stop your periods