My ob/gyn said there is only one birth control pill I can take while breastfeeding and that I would have to make sure I took it at the exact same time everyday!! Has anyone taken it? And has it failed anyone?
2006-12-23 17:16:07 · 12 answers · asked by honeybear 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
That is the Minipill or progestin only birth control pill (regular birth control pills contain both progestin and estrogen, but estrogen has been linked to drying up your milk supply) You can take the minipill it is safe to take while breastfeeding and yes you have to take it at the same time everyday otherwise it loses effectiveness. There are other options available which are more convienient if you have a problem taking the pill at the same time everyday - like Depo Provera (since it uses only progestin) The Mirena IUD (also uses progestin, but less than the pill or Depo Provera) and The Paraguard IUD which uses no hormones at all. I recently had my baby and I am getting the Paraguard since I want to space out my children by about 3-4 years. With the IUD's you return to fertility as soon as it is removed, with Depo it can take awhile, and with the pill I think as soon as it is stopped you can get pregnant. I would mention these options to your OB GYN - a Local planned parenthood also deals with IUD's if your OB GYN doesn't.
There is also an implant called Implanon which is suppossed to now be available in the US which also contains progestin only.
Overall, Progestin (progesterone) is approved by the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) for use in breastfeeding mothers. - these other people on here who are saying it is not safe have no idea what they are talking about.
I personally took the minipill with my second and I liked it and it did not affect my milk supply at all, I just do not like having to take it at the same time everyday. After my third (and I did not get pregnant while taking the minipill) I chose the IUD and it can last for up to 10 years if you want it to or it will last until it is removed (which is a simple procedure).
Google or use Yahoo search with the names I mentioned and you will find tons of information about them.
Unfortunately it seems as though loads of people on here are not very familiar with contraceptives and breastfeeding.
You should try asking on livejournal in the breastfeeding and birthcontrol communities, they are MUCH more informative.
Best wishes! :-)
2006-12-23 20:57:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
So much mis-information here!
The best birth control is condoms period!
What is so hard about taking a pill at the same time everyday anyhow? Set a clock for it and when the alarm goes off...take the pill. I suggest taking the pill late at night after the baby is asleep. Pump your breasts one last time in case baby gets hungry later then take the pill. That will give the longest possible time between taking the pill and then breastfeeding.
If you really do not want another child then use condoms until breast feeding is over.
2006-12-23 18:43:42 · answer #2 · answered by newsgirlinos2 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I say do not take the birth control! I took it with both my children. Called up the lactattion concultant, with my second, crying about how I no milk and my baby was starving. Turns out it was because of the birth control. She told me the pharmacuetical companies okay it for BFing mothers, and that it won't affect milk. However, after many issues like mine, a doctor did an independent study and found the majority of the women's milk decreased. I didn't take it that night. After about a month of my body getting rid of the hormones the birth control put in me, I finally had my milk back full force! Now when I think back to my first, the birth control was probably the reason for so many issues we had with her! If you want to succeed at BFing, don't take it!! By the way, haven't taken it in 3-4 months. Still not pregnant (knock on wood), but being cautious!
2006-12-23 18:40:27 · answer #3 · answered by Sunshine Swirl 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No! Do not breastfeed and take birth control pills at the same time, use alternative methods. Most of the time the medical professional OK something and then it comes out later that it causes harm, this has occurred with many prescription medications, and this has happened with the Norplant and the patch also, do you want to risk your child's life to this? It is not worth it, use an alternative method and breastfeed for a year and then take the pill. A year is not a long time to have to use alternative birth control methods. Its your child's life so be careful.
2006-12-23 17:33:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
i was breastfeeding up until about two weeks ago and i was on the birth control pill ortho micronor. i never had a problem with it and i haven't ended up pregnant.
and as far as i could tell it never affected my daughter.
both my doctor and my health practitioner said it was okay for the baby.
follow your instincts if you don't want to take it then don't.
2006-12-23 19:02:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
there is more than one pill available now for breastfeeding mothers. they are lower hormone doses but are effective. it is suggested to take any pill at the same time everyday to prevent you from forgetting it alltogether and to prevent break through bleeding. breastfeeding helps too with prevention of pregnency..
2006-12-23 17:21:48 · answer #6 · answered by muggs 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I never breastfed but I did take birth control pill every day same time...Got pregnant twice that way...
2006-12-23 17:20:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anything can fail, my friends husband got fixed a year ago, she just found out she is pregnant with twins, use a back up method just in case.
2006-12-23 17:24:35 · answer #8 · answered by imalwysrite 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Breastfed for nine months, never took a pill and never got pregnant...breastfeeding helped.
2006-12-23 17:31:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I took it and i have a six year old
2006-12-23 18:30:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋