This little topic has been nagging me forever (8 months to be precise) and what better place to post this than a community of parents, specifically moms who can help another mom out. Here goes.
Last May, my V. did all sorts of magical things and a baby came out of it. I did a happy dance and just stood in awe of its powers. After having a baby come out of my abdomen, a VBAC was my Mt. Everest. I thought to myself, “I’ve done it! We’ve done it! Hip, hip, hooray!” I celebrated like that was it – the baby’s here, V. your work is done, back to business as usual.
Wrong. Upon my lovely 6 week visit to my midwife, I was asked if I had given contraception a thought. Contraception? A thought? Yeah, no my baby’s been screaming her head off non-stop; I haven’t had time to think about anything other than trying to soothe her let alone the horizontal mambo and any future children. I asked my midwife for a rundown of some options taking into account that I’m breastfeeding and will do so for as long as my daughters and I see fit.
She shared some choices with me but basically said my best bet was an IUD, good old Mirena. When she explained it to me my gut instinctively did not like it. I’m still not thrilled about it. It sounds completely unnatural. The runner-up was the mini-pill but she said if I didn’t take it at the same time everyday, my chances of being pregnant were relatively high. Those weren’t my only choices but the ones she recommended. My husband and I are pretty sure we’re done having kids but pretty sure and sure sure aren’t 100% certain so a permanent option is not an option.
Baby is now 8 months old and I’ve yet to make a decision about the IUD or my other choices. I’ve asked around and I’ve heard nothing but raves for Mirena. Well, except for my good friend who had it inserted and then it somehow went missing into her abdomen and she had to have surgery to have it removed. Then I read this and I’m even more freaked out. I want to follow my gut but don’t want any surprises. I know lots of people love the IUD but my instincts just aren’t crazy about it. What have you ladies done? What do you use and recommend?
~Carla~
I had Mirena for 8 months, then it fell out. The doctors had no clue why, and said that’s not typical. I had it reinserted 5 weeks ago, and I’m pretty happy with it. I never have to worry about remembering to take a pill. We can be spontaneous without having to run to CVS for condoms. Actually, the only downside I can see is that I’m more irritable – and that’s probably from lack of sleep (with a 3 yr old that sleeps 9-9 and a one year old that sleeps 7-7, so I sleep 11-6) than from Mirena.
We’re in the same boat: think we’re done but not 100%.
An iud freaks me out too. I don’t like that there would be something in my body that I don’t choose to have there (as in I might be okay with it today but if I don’t want it tomorrow I can’t take it out).
We use condoms. Bought a huge lot of them from Amazon and I have no complaints.