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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask what contraception you used while breast feeding?

22 replies

wolfhound · 07/03/2011 09:01

Am not keen on hormones that can get into the breast milk. Are condoms the only option? Intend to be BF for 12-18 months, so it is a long-term need. What did other people use?

OP posts:
Bassett22 · 07/03/2011 09:04

BF itself (& associated sleepless nights, night-time nappy changes etc) seems to be its own contraception, to be honest. Works for us, anyway.

KaraStarbuckThrace · 07/03/2011 09:04

Condoms and a big stick Grin

I can't use any kind of hormonal contraceptive because of health issues. Condoms are fine.

merrymonsters · 07/03/2011 09:04

You can use the mini pill, but not the combined pill. I used Micronor for a while, but I didn't like it. It might be different for you.

zikes · 07/03/2011 09:08

You could consider the coil or Mirena coil? I think I was on the mini-pill, but it sent me a bit loopy. Grin

Original poster
wolfhound · 07/03/2011 09:09

Bassett - yes, BF is a good contraceptive for me while feeding through the night, but not foolproof - DC3 (to be) and DC2 both conceived while tailing off the BF at about 12-14 months. DC3 definitely to be the last baby, so I need to use artificial contraception this time!

Merrymonsters - yes, I know the combined pill is no good as decreases milk production. But the minipill still has hormones that can get through to the baby, doesn't it? Even though it doesn't stop milk production. I have never found anyone who can give me an answer on that (asked GP who prescribed it last time, he couldn't answer, so didn't take it as was happy for DC3 to be conceived even if earlier than ideal).

KaraStarbuck - ha. Big stick :) May have relationship repercussions tho!

OP posts:
TattyDevine · 07/03/2011 09:09

Trouble is there are very few non-hormonal contraceptives.

We would just roulette in between babies Grin

weegiemum · 07/03/2011 09:10

After No1 - condoms
After No2 - Mirena
After No3 (result of said mirena falling out) - dh was vasectomised nad got the all clear before dd2 was born so nothing! Hoooray!

cazzybabs · 07/03/2011 09:12

coil is no hormones

but I use the Mirena

controlpantsandgladrags · 07/03/2011 09:17

I started off with cerazette but had problems with bleeding. I now have a copper coil (non hormonal).

curlymama · 07/03/2011 09:22

I used the mini pill. It didn't work, and we had dc2.

LornaGoon · 07/03/2011 09:25

What about the cap?

Needs some forethought but a good artifical, 'non-chemical' contraception.

No worse than a moon cup.

VajazzHands · 07/03/2011 09:37

Uh nothing so far Blush

tyler80 · 07/03/2011 09:37

The cap isn't very reliable compared to other contraception.

We always used condoms

SardineQueen · 07/03/2011 09:41

Condoms earlier on and then mirena

Original poster
wolfhound · 07/03/2011 09:42

How did you find the coil, cazzybabs? I have heard it can be uncomfortable and cause heavy periods. LornaGoon - yes, had forgotten about the cap - thing is with 3 DC under 5, sex will probably be a bit of a quick take-your-opportunity thing, maybe not much chance for forethought. It seems crazy that there's not a simple solution. Or I suppose there is, and it's condoms, though not DH's favourite...

OP posts:
mrsravelstein · 07/03/2011 09:45

we have always used condoms, in fact that's the only contraception i have used in 20 years as i hated taking the pill.

sheeplikessleep · 07/03/2011 09:47

wolfhound - can your dh not get the snip (guess that's what you are hinting at in your last post) if this is definitely your last dc?

we use condoms, when bf in itself isn't enough of a contraceptive!

hopscotchmum · 07/03/2011 09:48

Copper coil works for me, dreaded the insertion but had it at 8 weeks post normnal delivery and was fine! Now 5 months in and no probs with it at all. EBF but didn't dare play roulette!!

Bumperlicious · 07/03/2011 09:50

I find a baby that doesn't sleep till 11pm then wakes up twice a nice does me just fine Grin

Original poster
wolfhound · 07/03/2011 09:50

sheeplikessleep - yes, the snip is an option and I think DH willing to do it, though I don't really want him to (i think a bit of me would still like the possibility of another baby, even though it wd be madness and we have agreed to stop at 3).
hopscotch, that's good to hear - i hate the thought of the insertion too but glad to hear it wasn't a problem. I guess the heavier periods not a problem either for a while as I don't ovulate while EBF (but daren't play roulette this time!)

OP posts:
Original poster
wolfhound · 07/03/2011 09:51

bumper - ha! yes. I guess the advantage of condoms is you only have to use them if you're actually having sex, which might be rather infrequent anyway!

OP posts:
cazzybabs · 07/03/2011 11:37

well I use the Mirena - I have put on weight (well actually I have stopped losing weight :( ) but it was a bit annoying for the 1st month with all the bleeding (which was signifcantly lighter than periods I had had pre-dd4) but the fact it usually stops your periods was a big selling factor

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