What Type Of Birth Control Is Safe While Breastfeeding?
December 20, 2009 by admin
Filed under Breast Feeding Supplies
I got pregnant unplanned but I’m taking full responsibility. But this can not happen again! Besides using condoms I want a back up method of birth control. But I also want to breast feed. I want to get on birth control right away. As soon as I have the baby. Because the women in my family are very fertile. And I heard breastfeeding can be birth control but I don’t want to risk it.
Breastfeeding itself is NOT a contraceptive.
You can take the mini pill while your breastfeeding. Any of the other contraceptives might effect your milk supply. Ask your doctor.
You can use anything BUT hormonal BC that contains estrogen.
So no regular pills/patches or rings.
If you really CAN’T get pregnant again (and abstinence isn’t an option) … I would talk to the doctor about the Mirena. Extremely effective (well over 99%) and no room for user error and most women who use it, love it.
Other ‘highly effective’ options would be condoms+vaginal spermicide, depo-provera (the shot), Implanon (the implant.) All have a less than 1% failure rate.
Less effective, but still usable methods (1-2%, used correctly) would be condoms alone, non-hormone IUDs, LAM (lactational ammenhorrhea), natural family planning, or the progestin-only pill.
Usually the pill is pretty low impact as far as nursing goes. The patch, although sometimes recommended may cause light headedness when nursing. An IUD is a good idea though for nursing mothers as it does not impact your milk at all as the others do. They insert it (its tiny) into your cervix (you’ll get some cramping at first but otherwise minimal discomfort) and it lasts for 5-10 years depending on what you get. You don’t have to worry about forgetting it, or changing your lifestyle to remember it. You also don’t have the fear of missing a pill or forgetting your patch.
Do not trust breastfeeding as birth control!!! I have a friend who had 2 babies within one year of each other because she believed breastfeeding was an effective birth control. Let me tell you it is NOT. So many people are mislead by the myth. You are most fertile months after you have given birth. You would be wise to discuss your options with your dr. Maybe condoms and Mirena? I am not sure. Talk to your doc.
I also nursed my daughter. Do not trust that breast feeding is a source of birth control. I had an IUD put in. It only takes a few minutes to get put in is painless, works, and lasts 5 years. The only problem is some insurance companies don’t pay for it and its about $800 if they don’t. Good luck!
My doctor allowed me to take the Depo shot while nursing my daughter. However, the shot also affected my mood. Some women can handle it, other’s cant.
The best thing is, if you’re done having kids, for your hubby to get the big V.
talk to your doc – i used spericide!