contraception

[podywody]

Hi out there,

Can anyone tell me how safe breastfeeding is as a form of contraception ? my ds is 13 weeks old. doc gave me mini pill but I dont want to use it as dh says it makes me moody !! want to have more babies but just not yet, my mum has said that she never got pregnant while breastfeeding.

[Roskvawantingsomesunshine]

It isn't, and I know someone who had 2 kids 10 months apart because she thought bf worked as a contraceptive. From what I understand, if you go more than a couple of hours between feeds, your hormone levels fluctuate, meaning that you could ovulate.

[PoppiesMum]

My understanding is that it's 'unlikely' that you'll be ovulating if you are exclusively b/f (but that you have to be feeding pretty regularly). That said, it shouldn't be used as a method of contraception as you'll never know when you start to ovulate again My sil got pg 3 months after her ds was born while she was b/f!

Have you thought about the coil?

[podywody]

Thanks for advise, now a bit worried, a bit weary about the coil, is it easy to use ? still havn't had proper period does this make a difference ? thanks for any advise..

[PoppiesMum]

I've found the coil no problems at all - you get it fitted at family planning clinic or at gp's (if they have trained doc there) and it took about 5 minutes and was only slightly uncomfortable (a bit of a scratch-like feeling) - if you've given birth absolutely nothing to worry about

I had mine fitted before my periods came back and all you have to do is check the threads are still in place after each period. Other that that, I forget I've got it.

[PoppiesMum]

Sorry, meant to add there are 2 types - the 'regular' copper coil and the Mirena coil which is a hormonal type, which you may not want if the pill doesn't agree with you! Best thing is to make an appoinment with gp or fpc to discuss all the options open to you.

[abbevillemum]

All I can add is a personal note. My DD is now 13 months and still B/F (though not at night as she sleeps through). I don't use contraception (as I don't really care if I get pregnant or not) and am still not pregnant, nor do I have my periods. I might be shouted down but surely you're only exposed for the 2 weeks between ovulation and your first period??......maybe I'm being daft.
Saying all that, if I cared about getting pregnant, I would certainly use contraception. Surely if your DH thinks you get moody, he should wear condom or take male pill

[cazboldy]

My ds3 was 1 yesterday and I am 27 weeks pg today! I was bf him exclusively when I fell pg.
Call me daft but this is the second time this has happened (which is ok cos I was hoping to have another baby at some point) when I fell with ds2, dd was 8 months old so weaned, but still feeding off me approx 4x a day. I never had a period in between with either time, so must have gotten pg as soon as I ovulated!

[podywody]

thanks for your advise girls.