I would love some recommendations on which b/c option to choose when I go in for my annual exam next month. I'm currently on the mini-pill (progestin-only) and have been on it since April. I am still breastfeeding and probably will still be breastfeeding for a few more months. My DS is 8 months old. As far as I know combination b/c pills will affect my milk supply, but I am also under the impression that the mini-pill becomes less effective the less you nurse. Is this true? My DS is getting solids now and will slowly start nursing less and less. Any suggestions?

I do not know if that is true. I have never heard that though.


You could get an IUD either one. The mirena IUD is alot like the mini pill. Or the other one has no hormones at all.

If you plan to still breastfeed that is the only choices I can think of that you will be able to use with out effecting your supply

I think an IUD is a good option but it depends on if your going to be TTC again soon. If you aren't then I would recommend it. I have the copper (paragard) IUD. It's good for 10 years, has no hormones, so it won't effect your milk supply. There is also a 5 year (Mirena) which has only progestrone. The good part about IUD's is that they are 99% effective yet you can get them taken out when and if you plan on TTC.

If you would like more info, check out the helpful websites sticky.

Angie

My doctor didn't want me taking any b/c pills while breastfeeding, because he said there haven't been enough studies done to prove that it doesn't affect the baby in any way. So all we used while breastfeeding (19 months) was condoms and timing to avoid ovulation. Then I went back on the pill for a little while, but now I'm off it again and switched over to natural family planning methods. No hormones, no side effects :) But it takes more planning, and a lot of communication to make it work. Combining the two worked well for us for quite a while - learning how to recognize fertility isn't that hard and we just avoided sex while it was risky and used condoms the rest of the time for a better feeling of security. Just now we're becoming willing to trust the Billings Method on its own.

As for IUD's - Besides the moral issues I have about them, honestly IUD's scare me because of the health risks and side effects.

Thanks for the responses. I had my appt. and I'm staying on the mini-pill while I'm still breastfeeding. I'll start the weaning process when Ryland turns 11 months old in February. Once he's fully weaned I'll go onto a combo bc pill about a month later, probably using condoms during that month in between.