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Birth Control After Baby
Sure, you just had a child, or will have one imminently. And, yeah, sex is probably the last thing on your mind. But eventually, you (and definitely your partner) will want to jump back in that sack. What you may not want, at least not right away? Another bambino. Whatever your family-expansion timeline, there's a contraceptive that will offer you peace of mind -- for as long as you need it. Get ready to meet your new favorite form of birth control.
"Call us crazy, but we want to get pregnant again within a year."
Consider this: A barrier method, such as condoms or a diaphragm
Cost: About $1 each for condoms; $15 to $75 for a diaphragm. (Prices provided by Planned Parenthood.)
New-mom perks: Barrier methods give you fairly reliable protection without a commitment -- use 'em when you want, toss 'em when you're ready to try again. Both methods have about an 85 percent success rate with typical use (aka when used by real people in real life), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. Plus, they protect against sexually transmitted diseases. You'll need to wait until six weeks postpartum to see the doc for a diaphragm fitting. "Childbirth can permanently change the size and shape of your vagina and cervix," says Rebecca Allen, M.D., an ob-gyn at Women & Infants Hospital in Providence. OBs suggest you say no to nookie till your six-week postpartum visit anyway, but if the moment strikes before then, make sure your guy wears a glove!
Good to know: Condoms may feel different to you postpartum because vaginal tissue can be supersensitive. "After my second child, they really hurt me," says Kara-Noel Lawson, a mom of four in Trabuco Canyon, California. Finding the most comfortable condom for you may take trial and error -- get a big ol' variety box! And pick up a bottle of lubricant while you're at it.
They're probably not for you if: You don't like interrupting the moment to rummage in your night table. In the post-baby phase, quickies are often the norm. No one can blame you for wanting to make every second count.
"We're definitely waiting a year. After that, we'll see."
Consider this: A hormonal method, including the Pill, the patch, or the ring. They all provide a combination of estrogen and progestin, which suppress ovulation, prevent implantation, or do both; they differ in how they deliver the hormones. Another option is the progestin-only mini pill.
Cost: $15 to $50 a month for pills; $15 to $80 a month for the patch; $15 to $80 a month for the ring
New-mom perks: Each hormonal method boasts a 92 percent success rate with typical use -- used perfectly, 99 percent. The patch and the ring serve up another boon: One less thing to remember. The patch, which delivers hormones through the skin, stays put for seven days; the ring, which you insert into the vagina like a diaphragm, remains in place for three weeks. "I found the ring very easy," says Elaine Barber, of Ogden, Illinois. "I just set an alarm on my cell phone to ping me when it was time for a new one." Combo methods can ease vaginal dryness, a common issue for nursing moms, because they stimulate the vaginal lining. If you're breastfeeding, the mini pill won't decrease your milk supply (there's evidence that contraceptives containing estrogen may, Dr. Allen says). Fertility is restored as soon as you stop using any of these options.
Good to know: You have to wait at least four weeks after delivery to begin the combo methods because postpartum women have an increased risk of blood clots, which estrogen may heighten, says Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a clinical professor of ob-gyn at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. For the best protection, take the Pill during the same daily three-hour window.
They're probably not for you if: You're worried about forgetting to take -- or change -- them. "After my second baby, I went on the Pill," says Barber. "But with two little ones, I seemed to miss a lot of doses. We switched back to condoms."
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LAM BC is only good for 6mo after the babys born since the babys feeding changes. If you pump/feed every 3hrs after that then you can continue using LAM. And like the pill the moment you alter your habits you can get pregnant. BF naturally releases a hormone that prevents pregnancy. Otherwise, there is Implanion that releases progestin, it goes into the arm as opposed to the IUD. However, there are still side effects sometimes. One of them ISNT sterility though like the IUD.
11/20/2011 08:48:28 AM Report AbuseI agree with rachael_doss. Women should be made more aware that natural fertility tracking is an option. Granted it takes a certain amount of diligence and self discipline, it is a valid option. Women should be more aware of how their bodies really work. And there are zero side effects. Not to mention, you can use what you learn about your cycles to try to conceive when you're ready also. No waiting for the lingering effects of birth control to wear off.
2/25/2011 02:18:07 PM Report AbuseMy OB and numberous midwives told me to steer clear of any hormones, there just are not studdies out there yet to prove that there are no long term side effects to giving hormones children so young. I opted for a diaphragm which was a hilarious experience because no one uses them anymore, the pharmacist that my midwife called it in to didn't even know what they were (!) and most of the midwives didn't even know how to fit them to get the right prescription.
2/11/2010 03:42:05 PM Report AbuseWord of caution: I am currently 3 years with ParaGard and 8 months pregnant. The strings didn't move on me until after I was a month along. My doctor couldn't remove the IUD - it'll be coming out with the baby while I get my tubes tied. Granted, pregnancy with IUD is very rare (about 0.02%), but please keep in mind that IUDs are NOT 100% effective!
2/11/2010 02:40:16 PM Report AbuseSearch the internet for "Mirena Side effects" before getting one. I wish I had. I had mine removed after serious problems and tens of thousands of dollars in medical visits and tests to try to figure out what was going on with me. Turned out to be the Mirena. It's not as great as the commercials make it out to be, and the doctors don't seem to be informed of potential side effects.
2/11/2010 02:11:54 PM Report Abusebreastfeeding is sometimes used as birth control, but it didn't for me. my 2nd child was conceived while i was still nursing my 6 month old. my 3rd & 4th children were conceived within 2 weeks of when i stopped nursing. i now have the paragard IUD it contains no hormones. only complaint is the frequent spotting.
2/11/2010 12:35:38 PM Report AbuseYou forgot diaphragms as well. You just put it in and you can't feel it, nor can your husband, then you just take it out the next morning. I know it doesn't make pharma companies as much money as the mini-pill (really, that's your #1 best bc choice for moms? There are still man-made chemicals in those pills!), but it really worked for us.
2/9/2010 08:43:20 PM Report AbuseI have the Mirena IUD and I just don't like it. My husband keeps getting poked during intercourse and intercourse is uncomfortable for me. Since we used to be every day people, that's a big deal. I've seen my doctor, it's placed correctly. I don't know what to do. A vasectomy is a permanent measure. Even though I know we're done, I've known too many families change their minds later.
1/27/2010 12:48:17 PM Report Abusethe Mirena IUD is awesome. I don't ever have to worry about anything. It was uncomfortable when being inserted but it's been great.
1/6/2010 09:32:54 PM Report AbuseI can't use hormones either but since I'm on a blood thinner, I can't risk an oops baby because of the potential dangers to the baby, including death. I went with the IUD but the side effects including cramping are awful. Women need better alternatives.
10/18/2009 02:06:58 PM Report Abusei did the natural method (i even used a professional website to help me) and now im 13 weeks pregnant : ) lol natural didnt work for us. (we're back to the old drawing board though b/c i cant use anything w/horomones in it, so before we have the baby we have to figure some other method out).
10/12/2009 03:41:43 PM Report AbuseWay to completely ignore natural methods of fertility tracking. Not only will have zero side effects, women should be proactive and learn how their bodies really work, anyway. If using a true fertility tracking method correctly, it can be as effective as condoms.
10/11/2009 02:21:29 PM Report AbuseNuvaRing is 99% effective just like the pill and more than 9/10 women recommend NuvaRing
10/11/2009 10:24:35 AM Report Abuse