Birth Control post-partum ?

[bny807]

Hey!! I had a question regarding birth control - i am 8 weeks post partum and have been on that Mini-pill (progestin only) pill since 3 weeks post partum.. but as with regular pills i am having some serious breaththru bleeding.. I even had my period a week or so ago on it, and the breaththru bleeding is a little more than spotting, just a pain.. Anyone else have this issue? I am still breastfeeding, but curious if i shoudl just stop taking this pill, its no fun to always be spotting/bleeding and rely on b restfeeding alone (though i'll probably stop that at 4-6 months), or if i should get an IUD.. I have never had an IUD, and we do want to conceive again maybe in a year (we took soo many fertility treatments and had many mc's before having our daughter). so i doubt we would get pregnant naturally (though we did with our daughter after all the fertitly stuff, once they discovered i had a blood clotting disorder). If you get an IUD put in, do you still have periods? Does it affect your fertility at all? I have severe endometriosis, so our time frame before my one ovary that is left is destroyed is probably pretty short..I like that the mini pill is supposed to suppress the endo a little bit. Any advice? We would be so grateful to get pregnant again, however would rather it be spaced out a little bit! : )

[bny807]

thanks so much!!! well after a whole week more of pretty heavy bleeding and cramping, we decided to stop the pill - i talked to a lot of friensd who had the IUD, and sounds like spotitng is pretty common with that too.. sooo we are just going to  be "Careful" with timing each month  especially when i stop breastfeeding, and if we do get pregnant then that will be another miracle and blessing! I just had the heavy bleeding all the time- no fun!!

[adgal]

I can't help much here, but there are a few comments I can make.  Many women do get pregnant while breastfeeding thinking they can't, so if you want to wait a bit birth control is best.  The IUD does not impact future fertility.  I think it's much like the bc pill.  Once you have it taken out, your body returns to normal fairly quickly.  The breakthrough bleeding is not a big issue,  as Rachel said it takes time for your body to get back to normal.  As for having another...some say after a successful pregnancy we conceive and carry far more easily.  I know there is no real scientific data backing that up, but I know many women this has happened too.  Was just talking to a friend who had baby no. 3.  After years of trying to get pregnant, she conceived beautiful twins through IVF.  7 or 8 months later she had a surprise (but very welcome) pregnancy naturally that has resulted in her son.  I know lots of stories like that.   Take care and Happy holidays to you!!!

[rdh1981]

I am a breastfeeding mom too on the "mini-pill". Around 8wks too I had a great bit of bleeding but that was the last time I have every bled.  Cruz is now almost 4 1/2 months and I have not had a period or any bleeding since then. So, you might want to hold off on changing your b/c just yet.

I do not know anything about the IUD, that would be a great question to discuss with your doctor. But like I said before, you might want to wait just a little longer. Our bodies go so wacko after giving birth that might be why you are having breakthrough bleeding!