merina coil and breast feeding? possible to continue?

[mouseymummy]

I'm thinking of getting the Merina coil fitted as I have really heavy and painful periods and this helped with stopping them before I had my last.

Ds is 4 month so bf is pretty established now but. I'm worried about not being able to continue and I'd love to make it to a year!

I've tried to look on Google but found lots of conflicting information.

Has anyone had the mirena and kept on feeding?

[FrumiousBandersnatch]

It's called the Mirena, and Kellymom has some useful info here: kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/meds/birthcontrol/. I loved mine before ttc DD and I plan to have another fitted soon - she is 6 mo. AFAIK, as the progesterone works locally and it doesn't reach very high levels in the blood, it's a preferred option for bfing mothers and as it doesn't contain oestrogen it should have minimal impact on supply, but I'm afraid I don't have first-hand experience to offer.

[AndMiffyWentToSleep]

Yes, absolutely fine to continue - I did!
I had it fitted when DS was a couple of months old and weaned when he was nearly two.

[ShoeWhore]

I never really considered it would be a problem (GP was keen and knew I was bfing) and it wasn't!

[Janek]

I had mine fitted when dd2 was about 9 months old, and she weaned at 17 months. It had no effect on my milk supply or anything like that, although i did feel a bit crap for a few days and fluey, like i was getting blocked ducts/mastitis (this may have been a coincidence, i don't know).

It also made me bleed on and off for a while, which was a bit annoying as my periods hadn't returned at that point, but once that settle down i've not had anything worth calling a period since, which is fantastically convenient.

[mouseymummy]

Thank you all for your replies.

Why did I not think of visiting kellymom. Can I still blame baby brain/sleep deprivation?

Janek, I had it after dd1, I only bf her for a few weeks though as I really didn't enjoy it and for 7years I only bled when it was first fitted, when it was changed and a few times in between. Considering I went from huge 7 day periods where I couldn't leave the house for the fear of leaking, I was amazed at how good it was!! I loved it!

[mouseymummy]

Thank you all for your replies.

Why did I not think of visiting kellymom. Can I still blame baby brain/sleep deprivation?

Janek, I had it after dd1, I only bf her for a few weeks though as I really didn't enjoy it and for 7years I only bled when it was first fitted, when it was changed and a few times in between. Considering I went from huge 7 day periods where I couldn't leave the house for the fear of leaking, I was amazed at how good it was!! I loved it!