I am 31 weeks pregnant with my first child. My husband and I have decided we don't want to get pregnant again for atleast 2 years. I get pregnant very easily it seems. Is it okay to take birth control pills while breastfeeding?
2007-03-15 02:16:04 · 18 answers · asked by *Just Married* 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I have a 3 month old and am exclusively breastfeeding. My Dr prescribed the minipill and it has worked wonderfully. With the low hormone doses it does not dry up your milk. Hope that helps!
2007-03-15 03:22:26 · answer #1 · answered by Sweet Pea 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As for it being safe for the baby, yes you can take birth control pills while breastfeeding. Will it affect your milk supply, most definitely. I pump instead of nursing (due to medical problems with baby) so I know exactly how much I produce in a day. I was able to pump about 30 ounces and then I started on the pill when my baby was about 2 months old. Immediately I noticed my milk supply decrease, with in 4 days of taking the pill I was down to only getting about 12 ounces a day. I stopped the pill, it caused my period to come (which was very heavy). And it took a lot of work to get my milk back up. It's been 3 months since I took the pills and I can pump about 20-25 ounces a day. I wish I never took those 4 pills because I have to supplement with formula to make up for the lack of milk.
I've read that if you have take a progesterone only pill, then your milk is less affected, but still affected some. My doctor wouldn't prescribe a progesterone only pill, he said that they are not very reliable. The pill I was on was Ortho Tri Cyclin Low Dose.
I'd recommend using a barrier form of birth control instead of a hormonal one while you are breastfeeding.
2007-03-15 06:02:06 · answer #2 · answered by Mommy...LT 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are some pills that are safe to take while breast feeding. You can ask your obgyn about your options. there are other birth control options as well. You can use an IUD. It prevents pregnancy for 5 yrs. but you cn remove it before and just as in using pills fertility will return soon. And it is more effective that pills in preventing pregenancy. Plus there is nothing to forget to take. There are some horror stories about the old ones and it's not for everyone. I have an IUD (Minera) and I haven't had a problem yet and I got pregnant with my first son on birth control pills. Discuss it with your doc.
Glad to see that you realize that breast feeding doesn't prevent you from getting pregnant, that is totally a myth and you need some form of birth control if you don't want to have a baby.
2007-03-15 02:47:53 · answer #3 · answered by gabesmommy03 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My OB/GYN wouldn't prescribe birth control pills when I was nursing. I believe there is a low-dose pill that is supposedly safe to take, but it depends on your doctor...he may not prescribe either.
I wasn't planning on having anymore children after I had my twins. I nursed them for 10 months and didn't have a period during that time. I called my doctor when they were weaning to get my prescription...I got pregnant with my daugther before I could ever pick them up from the pharmacy! If your doctor won't give you the pill, use another form of birth control if you don't want to have another one right away!
2007-03-15 02:29:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should not take the pill while breastfeeding. Many doctors do not know the full effects of medication. It is up to us, the patients, to read about the possible effects of medications which are included with the medications. The information with the medications regarding side effects and when not to take them are always right. The doctors don't always keep tabs on drugs. I learned that the hard way. ALL medications go into the breast milk and into the baby.
2016-03-28 23:48:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should be able to use birth control pills but it is recommended that you use Progestin-only contraceptives until your infant is at least 6 months of age. I personally preferred the IUD because it doesn't contain any hormones there and I an horrible at taking pills. I have listed a few sources that i thought might be helpful but i highly recommend that you speak to your physician about the options that are available.
2007-03-15 02:37:08 · answer #6 · answered by arwin_aragorn 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As the other posters have said, some will say it is ok and some will say it is not. Just remember this, anything you put in your body will make its way to your baby through the breast.
My suggestion, learn to appreciate condoms until you are completely done breastfeeding. It was kind of a game for DH and I after we had our child. We would try a different style each time we bought them, different colors... etc. They may not be as pleasurable as without, but they are only temporary and better than putting something in your baby's body that you don't want to.
GL
2007-03-15 02:28:35 · answer #7 · answered by ~*BS~MRA~Girl*~ 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ask your doctor about Mirena IUD. It is safe while breastfeeding. My baby is 12 weeks old and I opted for IUD. Its the safest birth control if you do not want to get preganant for longer periods. its good for 5 years and remove it any time you decide to get pregnant. its wonderful and do not have to worry about forgetting to take tablets.
If you choose tablets go for minipill.
2007-03-15 03:49:19 · answer #8 · answered by XYZ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
normal birth control can dry up the milk. A better option is the mini pill - thought 95% effective. or the nuva ring?
2007-03-15 02:43:34 · answer #9 · answered by klumzy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, there is a birth control pill called the mini pill. it has less hormones and is weaker than a regular birth control pill and is safe to use when breast feeding. however, it can only be used when breast feeding or it is not very effective. as long as you are regularly breast feeding, it is as effective as a normal birth control pill.
2007-03-15 04:20:36 · answer #10 · answered by krystal 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋