Talk to me about IUDs and choosing b/w the 2

thanks! what are you experiences? I am 6 wks PP and BFing if that makes any difference.

Re: Talk to me about IUDs and choosing b/w the 2

My OB told me that EBFing is 97% effective against pregnancy for the first 6 months. I always knew when I ovulated and sure enough, 8 months later, I did. AF came back a few weeks after it, right on time!

Taking that in mind, I'd WAIT a little longer before you get an IUD. It was extremely PAINFUL to put in. They have to insert it through your cervix into the uterus. I don't know if getting one so soon after giving birth is the best idea. I chose the Mirena over the copper one, but I really don't think it matters as far as the procedure goes. Since you just gave birth, give yourself a few months to truly heal. It hurt bad.......

Re: Talk to me about IUDs and choosing b/w the 2

I just went through this with my midwife.

Mirena - hormonal, but apparently the hormones don't leave your uterus. Good for 5 years.

Paraguard - copper, non-hormonal. Good for 10 years.

I was told that my practice (Stony Brook Midwives, University Assoc OB/GYN) is having a hard time getting reimbursement from insurance companies for the paraguard, so as a practice, they are not currently placing them.

I'm leaning towards the Mirena anyway. I have PCOS and a little bit of hormonal BC is the only thing that keeps me semi-regular.

Re: Talk to me about IUDs and choosing b/w the 2

Re: Talk to me about IUDs and choosing b/w the 2

As the PP said the only difference between the two is Mirena has Hormones and Paragaurd does not.

That being said, I just had the Paragaurd inserted last week. I was told that it has to be inserted during your cycle so I had to wait until I got my period after giving birth which took 16 weeks. But what I also didn't know was that it is not something my doctor's office had in stock because it is ordered specifically for the patient. So my advice to you is to decide which one you want and have your doctor order it so that it is there when you period comes. They inserted it on day 3 of my cycle and it hurt...a lot!

Re: Talk to me about IUDs and choosing b/w the 2

Re: Talk to me about IUDs and choosing b/w the 2

Message edited 8/16/2011 12:49:06 PM.

Re: Talk to me about IUDs and choosing b/w the 2

Posted by mamabear

Posted by Shorty

Posted by KennysMommy

My OB told me that EBFing is 97% effective against pregnancy for the first 6 months.

whattt? I know about 10 people that got pg while BFing within the 1st 6 mos. Only a 3% chance?

My doc said 98% effective for the first 6 mths if you EBF. We still did PNP, except for once...and I got preggo at 4.5 mths pp.

Re: Talk to me about IUDs and choosing b/w the 2

I went with Mirena
I heard it had less complications

I had it inserted in Oct of 2010 over two years after AJ and she as C/S. It hurt going in but figured I never went through childbirth so I had nothing to relate it to. It wasn't fun but it was over fairly quickly. I wasn't tears crying in pain but "OMG make it stop" in pain. It felt odd for a month but not painful.

I bled forever it felt like. I could barely tell one period from another or if it was more spotting. It started off with a heavy period, then got light so fast I got confused. I wore panty liners all day every day because of the leakage. Then it was only during my AF and it was only just light enough for panty liners. I couldn't use a tampon because I felt the flow was too light and Im always afraid of toxic shock.

Then April 2011 was my last period.

Hubby says it was odd the first time but now he doesn't feel it. I don't feel it. Its freaky NOT having a period but I'm not complaining!

I have cysts on my ovaries. Rather large ones but that didn't affect this nor have they been worse because of it.

I like it.

Re: Talk to me about IUDs and choosing b/w the 2

Posted by SweetCaroline

Posted by mamabear

Posted by Shorty

Posted by KennysMommy

My OB told me that EBFing is 97% effective against pregnancy for the first 6 months.

whattt? I know about 10 people that got pg while BFing within the 1st 6 mos. Only a 3% chance?

My doc said 98% effective for the first 6 mths if you EBF. We still did PNP, except for once...and I got preggo at 4.5 mths pp.

Yes, I would NEVER trust a MD that said that.

And when they say EBF they mean - you NEVER pump, never introduce solids, etc. it is baby and breast only for that time period.

Re: Talk to me about IUDs and choosing b/w the 2

Posted by SweetCaroline

Posted by mamabear

Posted by Shorty

Posted by KennysMommy

My OB told me that EBFing is 97% effective against pregnancy for the first 6 months.

whattt? I know about 10 people that got pg while BFing within the 1st 6 mos. Only a 3% chance?

My doc said 98% effective for the first 6 mths if you EBF. We still did PNP, except for once...and I got preggo at 4.5 mths pp.

Yes, I would NEVER trust a MD that said that.

And when they say EBF they mean - you NEVER pump, never introduce solids, etc. it is baby and breast only for that time period.

Re: Talk to me about IUDs and choosing b/w the 2

I had paragaurd inserted about 8 or 9 weeks after DD arrived. Sooner is better than later, it wasn't painful for me. I would never count on BFing being effective at preventing ovulation. DD was nursed for 2 yrs. Even though it could be true, it's crazy that a doctor would say that.

My cycles were very light, I didn't have a lot of cramping which couldve been due to bfing.

The only thing I wish someone had warned me about, and is considered normal was the amount of mucous discharge I had. It was terrible! I believe it can happen with either. So what really got me was when I was having it taken out, the midwife said it might not go away!! Thankfully it did! Just something to take into consideration.

I kept mine in for 2 years, waited one cycle and was able to get pregnant the following cycle.

Re: Talk to me about IUDs and choosing b/w the 2

I had the mirena for 5 years and loved it. I had it put in 2 months pp after I had my DD. I did not have it put in while I had my period (I don't even think I had a pp period yet when I got it in). I don't think it hurt at all. A little uncomfy? Yes - like having a pap that lasts 5-10 minutes. I only had one light period after getting it. Then I was period free for 5 years.

I recently had it out. That was way more uncomfy than getting it in. But it didn't hurt. Just uncomfy having my OB dig up there to get it out. My 5 years were up and if I can't convince DH to get snipped I will get it again eventually.

Re: Talk to me about IUDs and choosing b/w the 2

Posted by KennysMommy

Posted by SweetCaroline

Posted by mamabear

Posted by Shorty

Posted by KennysMommy

My OB told me that EBFing is 97% effective against pregnancy for the first 6 months.

whattt? I know about 10 people that got pg while BFing within the 1st 6 mos. Only a 3% chance?

My doc said 98% effective for the first 6 mths if you EBF. We still did PNP, except for once...and I got preggo at 4.5 mths pp.

Yes, I would NEVER trust a MD that said that.

And when they say EBF they mean - you NEVER pump, never introduce solids, etc. it is baby and breast only for that time period.

I never pumped, I nursed on demand (8+ times a day) and didn't introduce solids until 6 months, so yes, it worked for me! It's totally possible! I didn't say 100%, I said 97%.

Re: Talk to me about IUDs and choosing b/w the 2

I had paraguard after DD #1 and had it inserted with a period. It was uncomfortable but not painful. She was 3 months old. I was happy with it but once I got my period (7 months PP) they were very heavy for a good 6 months then they went back to normal. I really didn't have any issues and my insurance company paid 100%.

Last week I had the Minera inserted and no problems. I go to a group practice and doctor suggested this one so I got it. So far so issues. I did have it inserted durning the cycle and it was just as uncomfortable but only for a second. It literally took I think 4 minutes.

Re: Talk to me about IUDs and choosing b/w the 2

Re: Talk to me about IUDs and choosing b/w the 2

Re: Talk to me about IUDs and choosing b/w the 2

I had the non hormone one for about a year - I got a massive strep A infection from it and wound up in the hospital for 3 days - and had to have it removed

Re: Talk to me about IUDs and choosing b/w the 2

Re: Talk to me about IUDs and choosing b/w the 2

I had developed a blood clot about 7 months after giving birth. They said it was from my birth control pills, so I am on an IUD. I had to get Paragard because I cannot have the hormones. I wasn't screaming in pain, but it really did hurt. I was also in pain for about 4 hours after. I am not happy to say, but I do have the excess mucus. The first month of my period was very heavy and I had to use the super plus tampons, changing them every 3 hours. Ever since then (2 months later) I never know if I have my period or if I am spotting. It is rather annoying, but I don't really have an alternative other than condoms. My insurance company paid everything except $20 for a copay for the dr visit and $20 copay for the actual IUD. My doctors office did have to order it for me. They did not have it in stock.

Message edited 8/24/2011 1:21:34 AM.

Re: Talk to me about IUDs and choosing b/w the 2

i have the paraguard. no issues whatsoever with it.
i go to a group practice and while everyone knows how to place it there is one NP who does them all the time so i went to her. did not feel a thing!

I did not have to go in on a specific day of my cycle - just had to make sure i wasn't pregnant (they took a pregnancy test and wasn't supposed to have intercourse 2 weeks prior to the appt)
no pain just slight spotting for a few days.

heavy period on day 1-3 then its like nonexistent

eta: insurance paid for it 100%

Message edited 8/24/2011 6:42:58 AM.

Re: Talk to me about IUDs and choosing b/w the 2

I have had the Paraguard for almost 6 months now!

If my periods don't start getting lighter after the 6 month mark, I am going to consider having it removed!!!

My periods are EXTREMELY heavy and heavy for 11-14 days!!! It was so heavy one month that I went to the doctor so they could take blood and do a sono- I was bleeding through a super plus tampon every hr for days!! The put me on Lysteda to help lighten the flow!

On top of the extremely heavy and long periods, I find myself wearing a tampon all month because there is a nonstop flow of discharge (also heard this is a commmon symptom). Its so gross!

I heard these symptoms are more common with the Paraguard and that they may subside after 6 months so I'm hiolding out for now!

Good Luck!