Birth control opinions?

Question

I am 35 weeks pregnant. I go to the DR tomorrow and I have been debating on what kind of BC to use after the baby comes. At first I was sure I wanted to get my tubes tied, ( this is my third, with my husband and I'm 26). But last week the midwife I seen was telling me horror stories of wanting to have kids later in life and not being able to and I was too young. I also have a problem with my pelvis that makes being pregnant very hard on me. She had mention this Mirena IUD, but I am very sensitive to ANY kind of hormonal BC. I have tried pills, patches, shots, everything and had to quit because of the side effects. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with this Mirena. The procedure they want to do for the tubal is the Essure(?) and I've never heard of this either, it's done in the DR's office with no sedation, so that kindda scares me too. Just wondering if anyone had any experiences with either. Thanks!!

I tried the natural family planning but because my peroids aren't regular and my cycle is different every month, it was very hard to keep on track.(that's how I got pregnant with this one and didn't know until i was 10 weeks)! I do agree that it's a good alternantive to BC. Thank you for your honesty.

Answer 1

The Mirena IUD isn't the only IUD out there, I use Paraguard and it's non-hormonal. It uses copper to prevent fertilized eggs from implanting, it lasts up to 10 years, and if you ever want to get pregnant again, all you have to do is remove it. I haven't had ANY problems with it, I've had it almost a year now. And since you're about to have a baby, when it does get inserted it should be virtually painless. My girlfriend had gotten Mirena and she had really erratic periods and mood swings and almost no desire to have sex, so I wouldn't recommend that one. Ask your doctor about Paraguard instead of getting your tubes tied right now. If you decide not to have children by the time you need to have it removed, then go for tubes tied. This will protect you and keep your options open

Answer 2

I agree about have your tubes tide. Having them tide is more of a permanent BC and you never know what will happen in the future, something may happen and you wished you could have another baby. As far as the Mirena IUD, I have one and have had it for almost 4 years. I LOVE IT. The mirena IUD is good for 5 years, you don't have to worry about taking anything on a daily basis and you don't have to go get a shot once a month, once its in that's all you have to do for 5 years. I have not experienced any side effects from the IUD except for I don't have a period any more just occasional spotting which is normal. Once the 5 years is up you can have it removed and its like you haven't been on any BC, and if you wish, you just have another one put back in and you are good for another 5 years. Also, most insurance will cover the mirena IUD even if they don't cover other types of BC. I have also listed the web site for the Mirena IUD, I suggest you visit the site and read about it and also speak with your DR. I hope this helps and good luck.

Answer 3

There are other IUD's out there, and your OB/GYN would be the best person to go through all of your options with and figure out what is best for you.

Really, though, if you already have three kids, why would you not want to get a tubal ligation? How many kids do you need? If you're sure that you don't want any more kids, you shoudl have your tubes tied, and that way when you get older and your biological clock starts trying to make you crazy and want a kid at 38 or 40, you won't be able to give in and do something you may regret. I would see it as security. That way, when you're 44, your last kid will be 18 and you and your husband will still be young enough to enjoy having the house to yourself again.

Another option is for your husband to get a vasectomy. That procedure is much less invasive, and there is a 60% chance that it can be reversed if you do, for some reason, what another kid someday. That's what I plan to do. I'm 30, and next year me and my wife will think about having a kid. We only want one kid, so as soon as our first is born, I'm getting a vasectomy immediately after so there can be no accidents. I am also going to do it because I know that I only want one kid, and I will never change my mind about that. While my wife agrees, I worry that she may change her mind someday and want a second. If I get the vasectomy, she can't change her mind, because the deed will have been done and there's nothing she can do about it at that point.

Answer 4

Mirena is also going to be hormonal birth control so its highly likely you will see the same types of side effects.

And I agree with your midwife that tubal is very drastic and you never know what the future will hold as far as plans go. Never forget that your fertility is a gift and a blessing that many other women would give anything to have. Why would you want to destroy this incredible gift at just 26 years of age?

Why don't you try NFP - Natural Family Planning. It's basically fertility awareness which helps you either avoid or acheive pregnancy.

There are NO side effects, both husband and wife participate, and it's free. For perfect use the effectiveness rate is 99 percent.

Best of luck.