If we want to dtd before 6-week check...

[NoisyBrain]

... is LAM really over 98% reliable or are condoms our best/only contraception option?

I had DS 10 days ago by emcs and am so far recovering well and feeling pretty good despite the tiredness! I'm still bleeding on & off, so DTD isn't on the agenda quite yet, but I can feel my libido returning with a vengeance and think I may well be up for it before the 6-week check (there's no pressure from DP I might add).

DS is ebf, feeding roughly every 3 hours - sometimes less, sometimes a little more - with some cluster feeding around midnight. I've been reading about the LAM method, which claims to be more than 98% effective. It seems we tick all the boxes for LAM - ebf on demand, baby under 6 months, no dummy use, no period yet, but I'd be interested to know if anyone has used this method.

I dislike condoms intensely, but realise it would be rather foolish to get up-duffed again now. It only took us 6 weeks to conceive DS after I had my implant removed, so we could be quite a fertile couple!

[MoaningMingeWhingesAgain]

98 is good. Sounds like you meet the criteria.

But

What if you are the 2%? Would it be a disaster? If yes, use a condom.

[valiumredhead]

You've just had major surgery, ensure you don't get pregnant. That means using a condom or not having penetrative sex, there's plenty else you can do together.

[meditrina]

I know one person who ticked all the boxes and still became pg when they did a 'let's try it out" shag just after their 6 week check. (No idea how many did similar and no pg) .

Yes, on a population basis it reduces conception rates enormously. But if another pg would be disastrous, then doubling up with another method such as condoms would be sensible.

[FruitSaladIsNotPudding]

I also know someone who ticked all the boxes and got pregnant.

[valiumredhead]

There is a reason they ask you about contraception before leaving the hospital

[bonzo77]

You must have contraception. I was on Yasmin (pill) and was able to go back on it after 3 weeks. Not sure if that's possible with other pills, or if you can take while BF.

[ilovepowerhoop]

you are not normally fertile in the first 21 days after birth so you could start taking something like the mini pill from day 21 and would be covered immediately.

[ilovepowerhoop]

I.e. you don't need to wait till the 6 week check before sorting out contraception.

[ilovepowerhoop]

p.p.s. you could even get the implant again within 21 days of the birth as it is ok for breastfeeding mothers too

[TallulahBetty]

Use condoms or make an appt to go on the mini pill or something else suitable. Not worth the risk.

[NoisyBrain]

Yes, being in the 2% failure group would not be ideal, without wanting to be flippant about the blessing of good fertility.

The midwife who discharged me from hospital said the implant would be OK as it's progesterone only so I'll ask about that. Bit concerned by some of the negative stories about the newest generation of implant (Nexplanon) but then there were plenty of bad reports about the old one and I got on fine with that. I don't trust myself to remember to take the mini pill at the right time every day with my baby brain.

[Trixybelle]

I know a midwife with four children... They weren't all planned and there are two very small age gaps. Someone has to be the 2% and she was twice :)