Birth control post-partum

[newbian]

I've been looking into BC methods for after I have my baby. We are planning to leave a gap of two years before trying for a second. I want to breast feed and have read that the combined pill affects milk production. But I've also seen many women saying they got pregnant on the mini-pill which is recommended for BF moms. I had an implant in the past and loved it, but unfortunately I've moved to a country where it's not available.

Anyone use an IUD - Mirena or copper - between babies? Seems like a big to do for only two years but they will be most reliable I guess. Scared of the pain of insertion/removal though given I plan to use it only for half of the products lifespan.

Or do we just do condoms?

I think they'd day two years is too short a time for a coil - and like you say might not be worth the pain/hassle. (Having said that re pain, after having a baby and possibly experiencing the internals involved with labour you might not be so scared). You might just need to make do with condoms. It's not for long in the grand scheme of things.

This will all be discussed at your 6 week check up though. In fact it seems to be the GP's main concern!

We're in the same position as you and are just going to use condoms. I can't use the minipill anyway, it makes me crazy!

Do have a browse in the MN contraception topic

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/family_planning

as there are lots of threads on which MNers share experiences of different methods.

(bit hit and miss about amount of traffic per thread, but a lovely resource to have it all together).

copper coil is a great choice in this situation. No hormones so doesn't take time for your body to get used to. It takes seconds to put in and take out and doesn't hurt more than a smear test. For me, it was just like not having any contraception, except that I wouldn't get pregnant if you see what I mean. No hormones to get rid of once it is taken out either so you can get pregnant immediately.

Thanks scaevola will look at the link.

nailsathome does the minipill have more/different side effects than the combined?

For me, the minipill makes me have permanent pmt, including panic attacks and nightmares. I've tried a few and they're the same. I know lots of people on it with no probs though and if you're over 30, like me, they don't prescribe the combined pill easily (in my area anyway).

Minipills are a bit trial and error, they don't all affect you in the same way.

Some like Cerelle are just as reliable as the combi pill.

I was on that for 7 years without any issues or symptoms, except for no periods (which was lovely)

Give it a try and see how you get on.

I was thinking about this. I had the copper coil before I was pregnant, it was a doddle to have it taken out, but it wasn't nice to have put in... then again I hadn't had a baby then. It DID make my periods more painful and heavier... but the mini pill turns me into a monster, and it is the same hormone as the implant and the Mirena. The mirena, like the implant, often stops your periods or makes them lighter.