need birthcontrol for 1 year! Is an IUD worth it.

[Nuggets]

So I'm so torn on what type of birth control to use as we are a very fertile family! I know there are tonnes of posts about this but I would love peoples advice on my specific case!

I am breastfeeding (and plan on continuing for 1 year) but I will be starting my little one on solids soon - plus when I'm not trying to fatten him up he does sleep through the night.

We got pregnant using the rhythm method (expertly I should add - I"m an RN and thought I knew myself pretty well!) so I'm not comfortable going back to that. Hubby hates, hates condoms. It's impossible to get a diaphragm in my part of Canada. I have had trouble with oversupply of milk so the MD states I shouldn't worry about taking anything hormonal but I can't bring myself to take the pill - I grew fibroadenomas (benign breast tumors) the last time i was on the pill. Plus I don't want the hormones in my breast milk.

So all that I can figure that is left is an IUD (copper) but hubby and I are planning on trying to conceive next year at this time (once I fully heal from my massive diastasis recti, c-section and guilt issues regarding our "birth") Is it worth it to have an IUD for one year? It's pretty expensive here too.... Plus if I have issues and just have to have it removed. Also I have a severe left facing cervix (sorry if it's TMI) so I have to go to a specialist to have it inserted.

What would people suggest - what worked for them? Thanks so much.

[tygr2410]

Were you using the rythem method or actually using natural family planning and charting? There is a BIG difference.

I would never get an iud again, but that's just me (it was Mirena)

[RobertsMomma3]

Originally Posted by tygr2410 I would never get an iud again, but that's just me (it was Mirena)

Same here.

[iluvmyortiz1122]

Does Canada offer Implanon? Or something like it? It's the rod that's inserted in your upper inside arm.

[Nuggets]

I think the rod is offered but as I have no idea where it's probably really hard to find...

I was charting, temps, discharge etc. but we were being a bit risky on Day 7 of my cycle but we really thought - "oh just this once - there's no chance". HAHA but really we went into that method of birth control knowing and willing to get pregnant if it happened now we are really, really, really hoping not to get pregnant so we need some as close to for sure as possible.

Yah I hear so many horror stories about IUD - and it just seems like alot of cost and perhaps trouble for something that even if I don't have problems with it, I"ll only have in for a year....I just wish I didn't have to start DS on solids soon...

[Mags462]

Just popping in to say i have a Paragaurd and i it.... all DH has to do is think about DTD when i O and bam i am preggers. After 3 kids in 3.5 years i needed a break.... and good old copper IUD has done her job well AF has been back for roughly 5 months and NO new pregnancy....

[MyLovely]

Honestly, given my experience, I'd say no. I got mine exactly a year ago and things are just now back to normal. I had long, heavy periods for the first 10 months. The cramps weren't bad, but the heaviness was annoying. My pre-IUD periods were about 7 days long (normal in my family), and I never had an issue using my cloth and diva cup. For the first 10 months post-IUD, they were 9-10 days long and really heavy. Finally, they're back to 6 days and while they're still super-heavy (I can't use my cloth or diva anymore), I personally find it worth it. However, that's only because I plan to have it in for a very, very long time! If I didn't need at least 3 years of protection, I'd go to other methods.

[Marbie]

So the mini pill isn't an option? It's safe while nursing. I have heard so many scary things about iuds... And they're so expensive.

[Nuggets]

I actually just got a prescription for the minipill today....I am nervous as I assume some of the hormones would go into my breast milk to babe? I'm holding off on starting until DS is on solids (and I can't trust lactation amenorrhea anymore) but would love to hear if anyone has any thoughts about the minipill?

[BunnyMcFluff]

mirena is my favorite bc method, and I would use it even if I only needed it for 1year. For one thing, my copay to get the mirena was $80, as compared to $30/month for the pill or nuva ring. Nothing to pick up at the pharmacy =awesome. Also, I don't get periods with it, so that's great, too.