So what are the contraceptive options for breastfeeding mother?

[bobbybob]

As ds is now 25 months and I am still breastfeeding - it is long overdue that I consider this.

Midwife did prescribe mini pill at 3 weeks, but I didn't get on with them, constant spotting...

Mirena coil cost about $400, and given that ds is already over 2 I'm not sure I would get my 5 years value out of it

BUT I want to work for another year at least before having any more (actually I don't think I want anymore - but never say never).

So what else is there?

[Mum2Ela]

We use condoms and I tell DH that he isn't coming near me without one on! I knew that I would forget to take the mini pill so didn't bother with it, and I really don't want 3 under 3!

[Mud]

I don't know, but well done you for keeping on breastfeeding

Can I ask, out of interest, why you refer to his age in months? I have always wondered why people would keep doing 'months' when they are a certain age. Actually this is worth its own thread, which I'm going to start

[hoxtonchick]

how about a normal coil?

[NotQuiteCockney]

The diaphragm is a good option, I used it successfully for a while. You need to be comfortable fiddling about, though. I think long fingers help, too.

[mears]

Yes, normal coil without hormones would be OK. Diaphragm, condom.

[mears]

forgot Depoprovera

contraception for breastfeeding mums

[SkiBunnyFlummy]

I had mini-pill (sames size as normal pill oddly)

still on it but stopped feeding a few months ago.

its a nightmare though. I p-robably forget it I would say about 1 in 4 days. And often forget it for days on end. Then that seems to prompt a bleed which is a bit of a pain.

Also you are sposed to take it at same time every day. Very difficult to remember

[bobbybob]

Forgot to say that we can only use latex free condoms because the protein from them gets all over our hands and sheets etc. and ds is allergic to latex.

The injections sound worth considering. For some reason I assumed I couldn't have those.

[morningpaper]

Diaphragm/cap are great are you can get rubber versions AFAIK.

Personally I HATE hormonal things (although got on OK with Mirena, but it's a TINY dose) so would avoid injections like the plague.

[bobbybob]

Would the fact that I spotted like crazy with the minipill mean that I would with the injections?

[NannyJo]

with the injections some spot others don't. i had one period then stopped the injections )lots of cramps and put on loads of weight) still not had one since (5 months now) we use the family planning method (reverse of trying to conceive) I too hate anything going into my body that shouldn't naturally be there (talking of sex that sounds wrong!! i mean hormones etc)

[bobbybob]

Anyone want to share what is involved with a normal coil. I need to work out whether the savings between that and a Mirena are justified.

[Tessiebear]

Mini - pill will settle down after a few months of spotting

[Tessiebear]

To the point that your periods will end up non existent ... how long did you persevere with it???

[dropinthe]

I used Depoprovera for six months and ended up getting the most awful spots-weight gain is also common but not in everyone-at least my periods stopped although had awful pmt-in fact my periods still havent come back(even though Ive been breastfeeding for over 14 months now they did come back after about 8 months).
Its worth a though though-very convenient although as it lasts 3 months you would have to put with any side effects for that long.

[dropinthe]

And I'm scared shitless of the coil so condoms for us at the moment!

[bobbybob]

Anyone with a normal coil and anything good to say about it?

[Leogaela]

dropinthe - why are you scared shitless about the coil?

Yes please - can anyone tell us good/bad htings about the coil?

I have doctors on monday and need to decide about contraception am thinking about the coil, seems to be the best option, as I don't want to take hormones, tried the cap and kept getting cystitis and just didn't like it, condoms just don't happen with us. I would like to use a natural method of prediction ovulation but didn't do it properly before and ended up pregnant ! - nannyjo how do you make it work for you?

[dropinthe]

I had so many internal examinations with my first labour that Ive got a fear of something going in deep(ooh er,missus!)other than.......

[Xzebra]

Negatives about the coil:
VERY painful (traumatic, even) to have inserted if you aren't on your period at the time... This is rather relevant to breastfeeding mothers in first 6-12 months after the birth.

There was a MNetter whose coil just fell out soon after insertion... can have a lot of spotting after it's done, I had constant discharge & 10 day long periods (not heavily, but still a nuisance) for much of the 1.5 years I had my coil in.

Never again.

I will get a hormone implant (supposed to be like the minipill, in your arm, lasts 3 years) when I can arrange to get to family planning clinic (20 miles away).

[dropinthe]

Thats made my mind up!

[Eulalia]

I too am wondering about this. Breastfeeding itself provided contraception the last 2 pregnancies, 13 months the first time round and 18 months the 2nd time. It was nice to do it naturally and not be bothered about getting pregnant although I did plan this 3rd pregnancy and took the mini pill for a few months. I don't like it either. Now 24 weeks pregnant and don't want to rely on just breastfeeding alone after this baby is born as I don't want more kids .... so think I'll maybe just ask dh to stay away till I can go back on the normal pill. Anyone know when you can go back on the normal pill even if you are still breastfeeding?

[morningpaper]

XZebra: I thought it was quite uncommon for coil insertion to be traumatic? I have to say, it was awful for me (15 minutes of screaming, vomiting and finally passing out) but I did it pre-children and it was the Mirena, which I understand is the largest to insert.

I got profuse apologies from the Doctor but I thought at the time that it was a bit of a up, rather than a normal experience!

[Xzebra]

I don't know anything for a fact, but when I told the hospital consultant (I was thinking of being sterilised) that the coil insertion was awful for me, he asked if I had been on my period, I said no, and he said somthing like, "Well, yes, it is pretty unpleasant if you aren't on your period". He also said to me that the only form of birth control entirely incompatible with breastfeeding is the ordinary pill -- not the mini-pill, I mean.

Anyone remember Pie? She said hers being inserted was a nightmare, too, also just after she had a baby when she was still excluisvely breastfeeding, too.

[mears]

Eulaliia - you shouldn't use the combined pill at all when breastfeeding, only the 'mini pill'