Ideas on Birth Control While Breastfeeding.?

Question

I am 38 weeks pregnant with my second child and I am planning on breastfeeding for at least the first year. I know that some birthcontrol methods can affect your milk production. My husband is getting a vasectomy but that isnt scheduled until september. What are some effective birthcontrol methods that will work with breastfeeding?
Going to ask my OB about it at my next visit but i would like some ideas before i go in. Thank you!

Answer 1

Well it depends on how much you don't want to get pregnant. Assuming that you REALLY don't want to get pregnant you will need at least two forms of birth control.

Here is an overview of hormonal birth control while breastfeeding:
http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/birthcontrol.html

Then there are barrier methods:
Condoms, I am sure you are familiar -but do remember they have at least a 10% failure rate.

Cervical caps, diaphrams, Lea's Shield, and the sponge: all are less effective after you have given birth due to cervical changes. Failure rates range from 10% to over 30%

Then there are behavioural methods, these get a bad rap because people "use" them without understanding that there are RULES. I mean you wouldn't say condoms don't work just because your cousin got pregnant using them -but she chewed them like gum.

Lactational Amenorrhea Method 98% effective the first 6 months:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactational_Amenorrhea_Method

Fertility awareness (3-25% failure rate)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertility_awareness

Coitus interruptus 10-28% failure rate
http://www.peelregion.ca/health/hsexual/htmfiles/bcwdrawl.htm#3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coitus_interruptus

So consider the failure rates, consider the possible side effects, and consider the impact on your life.


Good luck

Answer 2

If the nursing mother chooses to use a hormonal method of birth control, the second choice is progestin only methods, such as Norplant (implants), mini-pills, or injectables (Depo-Provera). All of these methods can be very effective, and may even increase milk volume. Although some of the progestin hormone may enter the breastmilk, there is no evidence of adverse effects from the small amount of hormone that passes into the milk. It is recommended that the use of progestin-only hormones be delayed for at least six weeks post-partum due to the possibility of the hormones interfering with the early establishment of lactation. methods which contain estrogen - such as the standard combined oral contraceptives. These methods are very effective, but often decrease milk supply, and some of the hormone may pass into the mother’s milk. Although there is no evidence of a direct negative effect on the babies of mothers taking the combined pill, there is strong evidence that in many women, estrogen can lead to a decrease in milk supply and early weaning. If the other methods of birth control can’t be avoided, and the combined pill is the only option, then breastfeeding can and should be continued, since it offers many health and nutritional benefits which are important for the nursing infant or toddler. If the mother chooses to use this method, the baby’s weight should be monitored carefully so that adequate intake is ensured. For many mothers, a slight decrease in milk output is insignificant, and in any case, the benefits of breastfeeding far outweigh the disadvantages.

Answer 3

I didn't want to take the mini pill because I heard it causes acne and weight gain. No thanks. Instead, I relied on condoms. To make them more effective, I used them in conjunction with a spermacide. Also, if you're breastfeeding on demand and not giving any formula to your baby, breastfeeding alone is effective the first six months after birth. Other barrier methods are a diaphram and cervical cap. Yet another method is the IUD, a device they put in your uterus that is effective for up to 10 years depending on what type you get. You can talk to your doctor to get a diaphram, IUD, or cervical cap. Of course, you can buy condoms and spermacides over the counter.

Answer 4

Condoms... the minipill sometimes causes supply problems and you definitely don't want to get the Depo shot because if it affects you adversely, you are stuck waiting it out because there's no stopping it. If the Depo affected your supply, it might ruin your chances of nursing at all.

Answer 5

I took the mini pill it is low dose birth control I toke it after all my kids till I wanted to get prego it work great.

Answer 6

Condoms.

Answer 7

the only thing they offered me was an
iuD , mini pill, or the depo. i chose the mini pill because my body doesn't work well with the sht and my sister told me she got bad cramps w/ the IUD. good luck

Answer 8

Condoms, mini pill, IUD or charting