Mirena and milk supply?

[maebb]

I already have supply issues and am working with a LC to improve that. DS is almost 4 weeks and has a slight posterior tongue tie, and I have IGT, but we're working on the latch, frequent feeding and pumping, I'm taking herbs, etc.

DH and I are undecided about whether we want more kids, and my doctor said Mirena is a good BC option. It is progesterone only, but my LC said there's a chance it could affect milk supply. She recommended the copper non-hormonal IUD (Paraguard), but I read that a side effect of that one is heavier periods, and I wouldn't be too thrilled about that.

Does anyone have experience with Mirena, and did you notice a decrease in your milk supply? TIA.

[cgab36]

I got Mirena at 10w pp. I got it in on a Friday. I had been pumping between 18-24 oz a day usually at least 20. By the following Thursday I was down to 16 oz. I busted into my OB right before they went to lunch and made them take it out. I was back to normal the next day.

I do have friends that have had it and BF fine for over a year, but that's my experience FWIW.

[maebb]

cgab36, thanks. I may try the mini pill first to see if the hormones affect my milk supply, and then I'll get the IUD if it doesn't. I already have such a low supply (like probably 20 oz per day total), and I don't want to make it worse.

[casey]

I had mirena from 6w pp until 19m pp. Research says supply problems with it are pretty rare. I don't think it impacted my supply it all. Supply has been fine the entire time.

I got it out because I was experiencing agitation/depression/anxiety in a disruptive way one week a month. I also just didn't not feel like myself. I was breaking out. I couldn't lose baby weight (could also be bf) but then gained like crazy when I cut back on bf. Thyroid tests were coming back ok. We'll see how things level out, but I already feel more balanced. Fitbit says my resting HR has decreased 10 bpm at night over the last week. I've actually slept 3 of 5 nights. I had never cued into those as possibly related to mirena.

I had paragard pre-baby, and I had one placed when mirena came out last week. The heavier periods and general goofiness stink, but I'd take those anyday over the emotional aspects of mirena. I had an initial settling in period with both IUDs, but it was more pronounced with paragard -- my dr suggested I give it 6 cycles before deciding, and I'm glad I left it in. Things settled out quite a bit after that.

[anotherdreamer]

I had it for a few months before having it removed. It did not affect my milk supply at all and is a good option for most.

For me though, I had spotting/bleeding for almost 4 months, cramping off/on, and felt more agitated/depressed, and could still feel it despite being placed correctly. I just had it removed and am hoping it will help alleviate some of the issues. I was depressed before having it inserted, but it got a lot worse after. The agitation was like nails on a chalkboard.

[liziz]

I suspect mine may impact my milk supply, but we're getting by, so I haven't worried about it. I got mine in about 6 weeks before I went back to work, and was never pumping heavily before that, so I don't know what my supply was before hand, I only know I am JUST getting by on my pumping at work, and regardless, LO is growing normally.

I like your idea of the mini-pill temporarily to see if the hormones have any effect before you bother getting Mirena put in.

[emmyg65]

I had the Paragard pre-baby and will get another one in a few weeks. In addition to worries about supply issues with the Mirena, I don't like that it can make your periods irregular or cause random spotting. With my Paragard, my periods were heavier for the first six months, but at least they were predictable. And over time, they went back to normal. I also like that Paragard is good for up to 10 years vs. Mirena's 5.

[bantyrooster]

I hear many say try the mini pill for a month and if it affects your supply the mirena will. So try that first.

[honeylemon]

I had the Mirena for 18 months after my first was born. He nursed to 26 months and I didn't notice supply issues when the Mirena was placed. I had the Paragard after my second was born and again did not have supply issues (although I had it removed after a few months because my periods made me feel like I was dying).

But I think it's different for everyone. It doesn't hurt to try something else first.