GainesvilleMoms.com

OK I'm researching birth control. You don't have to share if it's too personal but I've found that you can collect all the info you want but the best way to choose is by hearing first-hand testimonials. I can't use a pill because I'm breastfeeding. I'm looking into IUDs and I heard you can get one free at the health department. Free sounds good but I want to make sure I get the right thing. Any advice or problems?

You can use the pill. Just not one with estrogen. It has to be progestin only. Talk to your OB or midwife, they can tell you which brand. But free IUD?? Where do I sign up?

I was thinking about an IUD and would have gotten one if it weren't for my Mom. Apparently she knew someone that had an IUD and had issues. To make a long story short, it ended in a historecomy.

My Mom however seems to have a story about everything. It seems as if any bc I'm taking is unsuitable to her. I'm not downplaying the above story, I'm just a person that thinks that you can find a negative story about anything. Especially when it comes to medicine and medical devices.

I am currently on the 3 month pill and LOVE it. The first 3 months were a bit rocky when I didn't take the pill on time every day. But, after the first 3 months went by things got much better and I only have 1 period every three months, YAY!! On a doctor's advice, I took the bc shot after having J. I bled for nearly 1 month straight and had to have the Dr. prescribe medicine to stop the bleeding. I've vowed ever since then NEVER to use a bc that I can't simply stop taking or have taken out.

It may be personal, but it's also important to educate each other, so ... I have an IUD and love it! I don't have to worry about a thing, no remembering every day/month, etc. My doctor also recommended it (actually he said it was the best form of birth control out there) because of lighter and fewer periods. I've definitely experience that -- another big plus! My only concern was that it was so expensive, but as my doc also said, it's a lot cheaper than diapers for another baby.

However, I have a friend who got pregnant while she had an IUD, and she had a miscarriage as a result. But I believe her situation is pretty rare though. She decided to have another baby not long after that and had no problems getting pregnant.

So you have to weigh the pros and cons.

I have the IUD and have had it for almost three years and I love it! It last 5 years, less if you want more children. It's great if you can't take the pill. You don't have to worry about anything for 5 years!! If you can get it for free, even better. Mine cost over 500 dollars when I got it almost three years ago! Great for a person who, like me, forgets to take pills, that's why I never went on them. I'm terrified of needles, so depo was not an option and I was on the patch, before you anyone heard about all the problems and that's where my wonderful, but unexcepted son came in!! I would, and do on a regular basis, highly recommend the IUD. I worked in childcare for two years with infants and had mothers asking all the time what I thought would be the best and I always tell them IUD!

Casmly
Years ago when they where bigger and bulkier I heard that there where some problems like that, but the are so tiny now! And I believe that the lady probably had some problems before and that just moved it along.

I would, however, make sure, if you do get one, make sure they cut the string short, you or shall I say, your husband might get an unexpected and uncomfortable suprise one night when you are getting cozy. Don't get me wrong, YOU can't feel anything, but some times they don't cut it short enough and your husband might not be so happy about that, but that is VERY easily taken care of with one quick office vist! They actually warned me about it when I went in to have it done. That's the only problem I had. Any question, feel free to ask! But please do let me know what you decide to go with!

I got an IUD after my daughter was born and had it in for about two years. It was great in that you never had to remember to take anything, which was perfect for me since I would probably never remember. (I bought a bottle of vitamins a year ago and have only taken 2...)

However, I did decide to have it removed about four months ago. I had completely stopped having periods (which can happen to some women), and I just felt like I didn't have any control. My husband and I decided to use family planning. I carefully follow my cycle and know when I am ovulating, at which time we use protection. Thus far, I really like it.

Stacy, that has happened to me also, I no longer have periods but that was the same for every different type that I was on. I have tried different bc pills, the patch and now IUD and I never have a period. They said that this is common in some women! I wouldn't have one no matter which one I take! So I think it's a plus!!

like a previous post said you can take a bc pill, commonly called the "mini pill".. ask about it! I nursed and chose depo.. it works great for me! the very first time I got it before getting pregnant with my son I hated it, it made me bleed like crazy at first, then I didn't get anything for over a year.. we had stopped using bc althogether and it took me a year and a half to get pregnant after having that one shot.. but after having my son I've had no problems.. and NO periods which has been nice!! i know some women aren't comfortable not having any periods but it isn't harmful.. I'm healthy and conceived fine

I've also heard it is safe to not have a period. It would have to be or else a lot of birth control companies would be in trouble lol Don't most of them offer lighter/fewer periods?

I think it's just important to remember no decision has to be permanent. You can try something, and if you don't like it after a while, you can try something else. Although, some options, like an IUD, are pretty expensive to try. But you mentioned they are free at the health clinic...When did they start offering those for free? I am shocked because they are usually really expensive!

Another option highly recommended by my doctor -- this was after I had my first -- was the ring. I tried it for about 3 months and had the worst mood swings. Depression, etc. -- my husband begged me to get off it. Needless to say I did. But ... if you don't experience those, it's pretty convenient, only once a month.

It's funny how some methods work beautifully for some women, and are horrible for another. You really just have to see what works for you.

I was on the pill for a few years, and came off of it because I didn't like the effect the hormones were having on me. Like the patch, the pill gave me horrible migraines, so for a while we used other barrier methods. After I had my son, I asked the doc for a new method and he highly recommended the Mirena IUD.
I had it in for about 9 months and just recently had it taken out. I began having some VERY negative side effects and started looking online for answers. I came across a few forums that were very helpful. So many other women had had similar issues and it really made me feel better about my decision to have it removed.

Every woman will have different responses to different forms of BC, so my advice is just to RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH the options. Don't just take the doctor or pharm. company's word for it.

We now use natural family planning and I feel better physically and emotionally. For us, that's the right decision.

Good luck with yours!

I have the IUD. I got pregnant on the 3 month pill and didn't know I was pregnant until that third month and I had no period. I was in fact 3 months pregnant and went to the doctor several times because I was sick and they never once asked or suggested pregnancy because I was on the pill.

Crazy huh. Anyways I have been on the IUD a year and still have periods. But they are a little lighter and only last 7 or 9 days instead of the two weeks that they used to be. I got used to having no periods and liked it so going back to having them for a while bothers me. But I do like the no hassle and not having to remember and stuff like that.

ACMom - It was only recently (about 4 months ago) that my husband and I decided to use family planning. Like I said before, we really like is thus far, but I was wondering if you had any good resources I could look into. I know the basics of how to follow my cycle/ovulation dates, but I'd like some more general information about family planning as birth control. Thanks!

I thought an article I found was pretty interesting considering this birth control conversation. Apparently studies show that if a women takes birth control pills, she may have a harder time finding a compatible mate.

The article said our bodies send out "aromatic molecules." And men and women with opposite odors are more compatible. But when women are on the pill, it makes then more attracted to men with matching odors.

To read the full article, click here.

I'm not too sure what I think about this...any thoughts?

Stacy,
I'm just starting this whole family planning thing so I'm still learning about it. I have a good friend who has a book called "The Art of Natural Family Planning" by Kipley. She said it's got a religous base, but even if the reader doesn't completely agree with the religious part, it's got some great information.

The only thing my doc told me was that the (approx. depending on your cycle) 5 days prior to and 10 days after your cycle are the "safest" days, assuming you are very regular. Of course, there's always the chance and if you are stressed out or have something else that affects your ovulation date, you may wind up pregnant by using only those windows.

I plan on reading up on it a good bit to be sure - till then we are just being really careful!
The bottom line is, though we aren't overly ready for a second (physically or financially!), we could handle it and the baby would be loved. I have a feeling that when we are sure we are done (Hubby says we are - I'm not so sure) having kids, he'll probably get a vasectomy.

I'll let you know if I find any great info, and I'd love suggestions from others if you have them!