[mommy2skyty]

Ok so I have had my Mirena in for almost 3 years and at my OB visit today I decided after much thought to have it removed. I am soo curious to see what my body does next. I haven't had a cycle since before getting pregnant with my son back in November of 08! Is the first AF really heavy usually? I have never really had regular cycles but I am hoping my body goes back to something where I can trying NFP and charting. Any experience of advice would be great!

[ShawnaCAN]

Congratulations on being hormone free!!!

As for your first AF, *usually* the first post partum period is quiet heavy - but because you've had the Mirena for 3 years, that probably won't be the case for you. The hormones in the Mirena thin the lining of the uterus to prevent implantation. It can take some time for the lining to build back up to a healthy thickness again, so your first few periods might be fairly light.

Regular cycles are not necessary for NFP, so don't worry if you experience some irregularity. NFP works even when you're not having cycles at all (like post partum or after discontinuing hormones). Just the old Rhythm and Calender Methods required regular cycles.

The #1 tip I can give you is to take an NFP class or course. Let an instructor guide you through it all, step by step. Especially as your body adjusts from the Mirena! It makes things far less confusing than trying to teach yourself!

[2Corinthians10:4]

Woohoo! Congrats for being hormone free, I did happy dance the day I got my implanon out (after getting over the pain of that lady digging in my arm for over half an hour). NFP/FAM is definitely a learning experience, but now I don't think I could ever imagine any other way.

[mommy2skyty]

Ok silly question: How soon after getting Mirena out can you get pregnant? We plan on using condoms during my fertile days but until I learn my body more I guess anything is possible!

[ShawnaCAN]

That's known as the Fertility Awareness Method, rather than NFP.

Well since you can ovulate while the Mirena is in place, it's possible to ovulate fairly soon after it's removed. Or ovulation can be delayed awhile. It all depends on how your body has responded to the hormones! You can begin tracking your signs of fertility immediately though.

[mommy2skyty]

ok so I had 3 days of bleeding and now nothing. Do you think that could be my first cycle back or something else? I was totally expecting to have lots of bleeding and cramps my first cycle off of BC. I am still waiting on my book, Taking Charge of your Fertility to arrive!

[Keakie]

I'll leave it to the other ladies to help you determine what's going on with your cycle, but I couldn't read without saying congratulations! It feels great to come off of hbc.

[ShawnaCAN]

I would imagine the bleeding is from the physical removal of the IUD, rather than being related to a cycle. Most of the time there is a thick plug in the cervix that protects the uterus from outside germs. It liquifies and comes out at menstruation, to let the bleeding out - and when we're fertile, to let the sperm in. But pulling an IUD through the cervix likely pulled most of the plug with it, which means bleeding can escape when it normally wouldn't. It takes about 3 days for the plug to form again after bleeding or fertility.