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?

I had a mirena inserted at about 11 weeks after birth (not during a period though) and it was uncomfortable but by no means "traumatic". More like a prolonged smear but actually seemed less invasive than an internal examination somehow. Perhaps it depends on the experience of the doctor - mine was a specialist OB/GYN and maybe a gp is less skilled. Also had a muscle relaxant administered beforehand.

I used the depo for a while but then wanted to get pregnant again and it took ages. Got pg the first time around using the mini pill. A friend whose husband worked developing the metals used in coils said he would never allow one anywhere near her. Am currently bf and taking lots of chances!!!!!!

Tessiebear -- I used the minipill for seven YEARS and still had spotting and frequent bleeds, so it's not true that your periods will necessarily end up nonexistent. It works that wa for some but not for others.

bobbybob, i would suggest that all methods of contraception are open to you, but i would not really recommend you try depo if you are planning to conceive int he next 1-2 years as it can take a while to start ovulating again, even after having only one injection. There are some doctors who would now be willing to prescribe the combined pill to you, as you have been breast feeding for such a long time. The worry with the combined pill is that the oestrogen content can affect quantity of breast milk, but if the feeding is well-established, and by that i mean you have been feeding regularly for at least 6-8 months, some doctors will consider giving it to you (usually if you really do not want to try other options). You could try the Implanon implant (small rod looks like a kirbi-grip, inserted into your arm) which lasts 3 years. Very reversible, so if you decided to have another baby in 18 months for example, your fertility returns almost immediately. Or you could try the traditional coil. VERY effective contraception. Not painless to have it inserted, but once you have had a baby (a vaginal birth I mean as your cervix has been opened and naturally stretched during labour) it shouldn't be too awful, more like uncomfortable IME. It is easier to insert during your period, because the cervix opens slightly to allow the menstrual blood to flow, and most practitioners prefer to insert it then because they know 100% that you are not pregnant beforehand, but it can be done at other times without too much trauma, I can assure you! There is a very small risk that they can be expelled, but you are encouraged to check the threads every month to ensure it is still in place. It works in 2 ways: foreign body int he womb so pregnancy can't implant. Also contains copper on its stalk. It is thought the copper changes the nature of the egg so it has a kind-of hard shell, so sperm cannot penetrate. Also changes sperm so it gets 'lost' and connot locate the egg. It changes the chemical messgaes between the egg and sperm. Can make periods heavier, especially in first few months, but otherwise contains no hormones and your cycle works as normal. Also extremely reversible, so the day you have it removed your fertility is restored. Love it or hate it? You'd have to try it! As with all contraception it will always receive a mixed review! I think the thing to remember is that no form of contraception is entirely permanent (except for sterilisation!) and you could try for example and normal coil and see how you get on. If you don't like it, get it removed and try the implant. HTH

mears - not even for a toddler who is only b/feeding once a day? Not relevant to me now as I am pregnant but just wondered?