Talk to me about birth control options

[origamimommy]

I went to the doctor today, and with a few symptoms, she wants me to completely stop taking BCP. She's nervous that I'm high risk for some of the side effects (specifically blood clots and stroke) due to my migraine history.

So talk to me about para guard, natural family planning, anything else you can think of that is non hormonal. I'm going to do research but wanted real life examples from you guys too.

[summergirl1211]

origamimommy, We've officially been doing NFP since Riley was born, but for quite awhile in between it has really been abstinence more than anything. My OB gave me some good information on a NFP app if you want it. I'd have to get it at home but I'm happy to send it your way. She says it includes a lot more info than FF (which is what I was using when I was temping) to help you determine your most fertile period.

[origamimommy]

That would be awesome thank you!

[junkytrunk]

We use the Pull and Pray method. It has worked for 7 years, minus 1 time aka M. Also condoms from time to time.

[jodielyn10]

I got the para guard after having Eli and I love it. I love not having to remember anything or do anthing. Get it inserted then Boom - no babies for 10 years! (or sooner if you want it out)

We were completely sure that we were done after Eli, and assumed we would have H get a vasectomy. After talking to my OB, he convinced me that the para guard is a better way to go. The failure rate for IUD is actually lower than for a vasectomy, which kind of blew my mind. Also, the hormones in traditional BC and the Mirena do a number on me, so I was so ready to be done with hormones forever.

I will say the only downside is the crazy heavy periods you have right after getting it. I would say my first 4 or 5 periods were AWFUL. Super heavy, terrible cramps, etc. It has since started to go back to normal - heavier than a period on hormones but not crazy heavy.

[sarasansh]

I used the Paragard from about 10 weeks PP to when I had it taken out in April for TTC. I had a great experience with it and I really liked the fact it was hormone free. For me, the down sides were heavier/longer periods, and my periods weren't quite as regular as they had been before--they went on a long/long/short cycle, so I'd have like a 32 day cycle, 33 day cycle (which is normal for me), and then a 26 day cycle.

Overall though, I was happy and would use it again.

[bantyrooster]

We did NFP between the kids. I hate hormonal BC. I can't decide what to do this time. I hear so many positives and negatives of para guard. It would be nice just to not have to remember anything. I want #3 but not for 3 ish years.

[Riverdong11]

Essentially we're doing NFP and it works great for us. Before getting pregnant with Liam I read Taking Charge of Your Fertility and it was a very helpful and informative book on temping and charting to determine when you ovulate. Then you can either TTC or avoid TTC. Since having Liam I no longer temp, but since I know how my body works from previously temping I know when we need to use condoms and when we don't have to worry about it. We've had a 100% success rate at avoiding pregnancy and I'm really happy to not have to use any form of hormonal birth control.

[ladyofshallott86]

I got the paragard after Em and hated everything about it. My experience was pretty awful. Hormonal birth control messes up so we're just using condoms. I'm interested in nfp but too lazy to do it. I probably should since my cycles are so irregular but eh. I like to walk on the wild side I guess. The Fertility friend app is super user friendly to use if you are interested in nfp. I used it for ttc and loved it.

[okiemama]

Jan 20, 2015 13:22:01 GMT -5 Riverdong11 said:

Essentially we're doing NFP and it works great for us. Before getting pregnant with Liam I read Taking Charge of Your Fertility and it was a very helpful and informative book on temping and charting to determine when you ovulate. Then you can either TTC or avoid TTC. Since having Liam I no longer temp, but since I know how my body works from previously temping I know when we need to use condoms and when we don't have to worry about it. We've had a 100% success rate at avoiding pregnancy and I'm really happy to not have to use any form of hormonal birth control.

This is me too- I highly recommend that book

[lainikins]

Jan 20, 2015 12:57:13 GMT -5 jodielyn10 said:

I got the para guard after having Eli and I love it. I love not having to remember anything or do anthing. Get it inserted then Boom - no babies for 10 years! (or sooner if you want it out)

We were completely sure that we were done after Eli, and assumed we would have H get a vasectomy. After talking to my OB, he convinced me that the para guard is a better way to go. The failure rate for IUD is actually lower than for a vasectomy, which kind of blew my mind. Also, the hormones in traditional BC and the Mirena do a number on me, so I was so ready to be done with hormones forever.

I will say the only downside is the crazy heavy periods you have right after getting it. I would say my first 4 or 5 periods were AWFUL. Super heavy, terrible cramps, etc. It has since started to go back to normal - heavier than a period on hormones but not crazy heavy.

This is me as well.  I love the fact that I do not need to remember anything.  It was not too bad getting it inserted, sure it hurt, but not as bad as I thought it was going to.  The first period was not bad for me, the second one though I thought I was going to die.  After though it has not been so bad. I am so glad I got it. NFP would not have been for me.  I had a hard time remember to take my pill every day and this just made so much sense for me. 

[origamimommy]

Thanks everyone. I'm leaning tears nfp because I've always had issues with bc. Mirena was a fail and I am weary of another IUD because I had such a bad experience with Mirena. I'll look into these resources soon!

[jfresh]

I also use NFP. I use the FF app to chart it all and I really like it.

[MissMusic]

From personal experience:
I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND AN IUD.
ETA: just saw you had Mirena issues.  So yeah, NFP FTW!

[bliz1712]

Jan 20, 2015 12:57:13 GMT -5 jodielyn10 said:

I got the para guard after having Eli and I love it. I love not having to remember anything or do anthing. Get it inserted then Boom - no babies for 10 years! (or sooner if you want it out)

We were completely sure that we were done after Eli, and assumed we would have H get a vasectomy. After talking to my OB, he convinced me that the para guard is a better way to go. The failure rate for IUD is actually lower than for a vasectomy, which kind of blew my mind. Also, the hormones in traditional BC and the Mirena do a number on me, so I was so ready to be done with hormones forever.

I will say the only downside is the crazy heavy periods you have right after getting it. I would say my first 4 or 5 periods were AWFUL. Super heavy, terrible cramps, etc. It has since started to go back to normal - heavier than a period on hormones but not crazy heavy.

 are you serious???  H had a Vasectomy in February and that is our form of BC.  I figured it was pretty permanent so it was overkill to have me have something as well.

[stegasaurus]

I have paragard. I'm not in love with it, but I'm happy with it. Insertion was an odd sensation, but it didn't hurt. Periods for the first year were crazy heavy. Like bleeding through a super tampon in 2 hours heavy. They've calmed down now, thankfully. I like that there's no hormones and I don't have to remember anything every day.

[jodielyn10]

Jan 20, 2015 15:16:03 GMT -5 bliz1712 said:

Jan 20, 2015 12:57:13 GMT -5 jodielyn10 said:

I got the para guard after having Eli and I love it. I love not having to remember anything or do anthing. Get it inserted then Boom - no babies for 10 years! (or sooner if you want it out)

We were completely sure that we were done after Eli, and assumed we would have H get a vasectomy. After talking to my OB, he convinced me that the para guard is a better way to go. The failure rate for IUD is actually lower than for a vasectomy, which kind of blew my mind. Also, the hormones in traditional BC and the Mirena do a number on me, so I was so ready to be done with hormones forever.

I will say the only downside is the crazy heavy periods you have right after getting it. I would say my first 4 or 5 periods were AWFUL. Super heavy, terrible cramps, etc. It has since started to go back to normal - heavier than a period on hormones but not crazy heavy.

 are you serious???  H had a Vasectomy in February and that is our form of BC.  I figured it was pretty permanent so it was overkill to have me have something as well.

I wouldn't worry too much because the difference isn't huge, and they are both more effective than bc pills and condoms. 
I actually talked to my OB because I was considering getting an IUD to be a backup for my H's vasectomy and he said basically that both would be overkill and if you're going to do only one, the IUD is more effective than vasectomy (but again, only by a very narrow margain) and less invasive, not permenant, etc.

[pegleg715]

Between Caz and current pregnancy we did condoms and (believe it or not) the sponge. I was a lot of great things about NFP but I also don't think it's for me. So this was the best for us.
After next baby I have zero clue what we will do. As it will be more than "we need this for a few months". So let me know what you decide and how it works for you.

[jodielyn10]

For those who are interested, a chart of BC effectiveness from the CDC:
www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/UnintendedPregnancy/PDF/Contraceptive_methods_508.pdf

Actually, based on this chart the IUD isn't more effective than a vesctomy, but the difference is in the tenths of a percent, so we're splitting hairs.

[summergirl1211]

origamimommy, sorry it took so long, but my OB recommended myfertilitycycle.com. Gives good info and apps for both Android and Apple. Hope you find something that helps!

[heatherbee]

I have found a combo of NFP / pull and pray to be very successful! All of my pregnancies were planned and we have been fine for the other 6 years we have been doing it. My cycle is very regular so that has helped.

[sunflowersummer]

NFP here!

[bantyrooster]

MissMusic did you get the mirena out yet? I knew it was coming up or is coming up. I won't ever get one based on how many people I know have issues.

[MissMusic]

Jan 23, 2015 11:25:59 GMT -5 bantyrooster said:

MissMusic did you get the mirena out yet? I knew it was coming up or is coming up. I won't ever get one based on how many people I know have issues.

Yup, I got it out Jan 8 and went for my post-op this morning.
I have a small hole in my cervix, which is healing quickly, so woot woot!

I'm cleared to TTC!


Doc said she's be willing to put another Mirena in if I wanted one, but NOPE.  NOPE NOPE NOPE.  Steer clear, girl!

[bantyrooster]

Jan 23, 2015 13:38:58 GMT -5 MissMusic said:

Jan 23, 2015 11:25:59 GMT -5 bantyrooster said:

MissMusic did you get the mirena out yet? I knew it was coming up or is coming up. I won't ever get one based on how many people I know have issues.

Yup, I got it out Jan 8 and went for my post-op this morning.
I have a small hole in my cervix, which is healing quickly, so woot woot!

I'm cleared to TTC!


Doc said she's be willing to put another Mirena in if I wanted one, but NOPE.  NOPE NOPE NOPE.  Steer clear, girl!

I love this! Yay baby #2

[babywinks]

I have Paragaurd and I have mixed feelings about it so far. I had one between kids and it was fine - easy in, easy out, but I only had maybe two cycles and removed it to TTC. This time, I have had 4 cycles so far and they have been super heavy - like horror flick scary for the first 2 days but then normal the next 2 or 3 days. Also it hurt like a bitch going in but my cervix is angled towards my back and I think that made it difficult so likely the same for any IUD. I like the no hormones and that I don't have to remember to do anything and that it is good for 10 years.

[jodielyn10]

Jan 23, 2015 13:52:46 GMT -5 babywinks said:

I have Paragaurd and I have mixed feelings about it so far. I had one between kids and it was fine - easy in, easy out, but I only had maybe two cycles and removed it to TTC. This time, I have had 4 cycles so far and they have been super heavy - like horror flick scary for the first 2 days but then normal the next 2 or 3 days. Also it hurt like a bitch going in but my cervix is angled towards my back and I think that made it difficult so likely the same for any IUD. I like the no hormones and that I don't have to remember to do anything and that it is good for 10 years.

This was my experience too.  CRAZY heavy.  But it will normalize.  My period this month (I think I'm on my 7th cycle) was almost totally normal. 

[lizwinderson]

I have the Paragard and love it! The first 4 or so periods were awful but i had been nursing and had not had a period for over 2 years at that point. Now they are back to normal and I havent experienced crazy cramping either. Plus I love the rapid return of fertility once it is removed. And I hate hormones.
I think NFP would work if you are dedicated to keep track and are okay if a pregnancy did occur.

[origamimommy]

Jan 24, 2015 8:49:12 GMT -5 lizwinderson said:

I have the Paragard and love it! The first 4 or so periods were awful but i had been nursing and had not had a period for over 2 years at that point. Now they are back to normal and I havent experienced crazy cramping either. Plus I love the rapid return of fertility once it is removed. And I hate hormones.
I think NFP would work if you are dedicated to keep track and are okay if a pregnancy did occur.

I'm on the fence here. We'd love another, but financially we have goals we'd like to reach before we start paying for a second kid to go to daycare. But the para guard periods scare me. I think I'm going to do the para guard anyway, I just want to talk to my OB first. But all of these suggestions have been so helpful! Thank you all!

[lizwinderson]

Definitely talk it over with your doc. I talked to lots of people before deciding on paragard and most people said they noticed a return to normal flow/length of periods after a couple cycles. But it is all so different with each person.