I need some info from some "real" users. My DH and I are TTC #2, and got into a discussion the other night about birth control after the baby. (I am not pregnant, yet.) Anyway.......

Neither of us are sure that we are done after two, but I think that we probably will be. I have discussed with my dr. about a tubal - but she won't do it until I am over 35 (I will be 30 in October) or have had at least 3 children. I am not thrilled about going back on the pill (hubby's insurance doesn't cover ANY birth control), and my DH said that he wasn't wearing a "raincoat" for the next few years - "because, d*mn it, I am married, not in high school anymore."

My friend just had Mirena - an IUD - implanted. She is very very very private, and doesn't want to discuss it at all. I have done a little research into this, but still not sure - any one help me with this? I am looking for someone who has actually had an IUD, or has one now? Often do you get your "monthly" cycle? Does it hurt? If you don't want the "world" to know - please PM me. I am very nervous about this.

Good question. The Mirena is what I plan on using after #3 is born and I would love to hear what others have to say about it!

I have Mirena and really like it. I had it put in when DD was about 12 weeks old (5 months ago). I did have a lot of light bleeding/spotting for almost 3 months after I first had it put in. It was very annoying. But since then I haven't had another period. I've had very light spotting once but nothing else. It's easy to have put in and easy to have taken out.

One thing: my friend battled a yeast infection for 6 weeks. They couldn't get rid of it. Finally the doctor said "I bet it's in your IUD". They pulled it and cultured it and sure enough. Just something for you to be aware of. Her doctor acted like that was pretty unheard of though.

PM me if you have more questions or if I didn't answer something. I'm not the least bit modest so you really can ask me anything!

Linz

I had the mirena in for about 8 mo.... It was not painfull to have inserted, think menstral cramps, they only lasted for about 1 day. I had a lot of spotting for about 4 mo, then no period at all. I did have a problem with mine and it had to be removed, I went in for my anual exam and my midwife discoverd it had moved... It slipped down. there is a slight risk of this happening. Took about 1 min to get it out, felt a pinch and it was over. I got my period back within 2 weeks, and it has been regular ever since. I would reccomenned it! I did not have anotherone put in b/c DH and I want to TTC soon, but will probably get another after I have the next baby!

Im on my 2nd Mirena. I had one after ds#2 from April 2004 to April 2007. Had it removed, got pregnant with twins, now have another one.

It doesn't hurt at all going in or coming out. I spotted for 6 weeks the first time, but have only spotted for a few days total this time. Maybe because I am breastfeeding? I'm not sure. But anyway. The first time I had it my period got shorter and shorter and then totally stopped for like 2 years. That is by FAR the best part.

Oh, one thing about the insertion. The first one I didn't feel AT ALL, it was inserted at my 6 week checkup. The one I have now I felt a little, and I think that may be because I had a c-section and so my cervix was not as dialated as it would have been after a vaginal birth, if that makes sense. Anyway. If you have anymore questions, ask away!

Okay - last one....I am SOOO cool with no more periods. However, when I am off hormonal BC, I am all over the place as far as cycles - 34 days one month, 28 days the next, I went one where I was 47 days.....3 months after my DD was born - I was PETRIFIED I was pregnant again. I wasn't...but it scared me.

When you spot the first couple of months - does it come in a cycle, or constant spotting?

The first time it was a straight 6 weeks of spotting, which did kind of suck, but the trade off is SO worth it.

This time, it has been about 2 months since I got it put in and I needed pantyliners (Thanks for the free ones, CVS! ) like maybe 5-6 days throughout the 2 month period. But like I said, that could be because of the breastfeeding. The nurse told me if I wasnt nursing they would wait until my first period after the birth but since I was nursing they just went ahead and put it in after my 6 week checkup.

I had a tubal done when I was 22 yrs old, right after my ds was born. When I first asked my doctor to do it she told me I was too young and she wouldn't do it. I then mentioned that it is my body and my choice and there was no law stating I couldn't have this done. I am the one that has to put a roof over their head for the next 18 years. My dh and I knew we were happy and our family was complete with our two kids. She performed the tubal a week later and then I found a new doctor.

Birth control is the way to go if you are unsure about how many beautiful babies you want to have, but don't let your doctor make the decision of when you are done having kids.

I'm thinking of having the Essure procedure done. I haven't decided completely, but you might want to check it out. It's the new version of a tubal. As minimally invasive as a vasectomy.

Overview of Essure

I am on my 2nd Mirena! It is awesome. I highly recommend it. I had my first 6 weeks after DS4 was born. I had it removed about 2 1/2 years later to get pregnant with my second child. I have had this one since he was born about 15 months ago. Like most of the others, I had some bleeding/spotting for about the first month both times and then after that, no real period at all.

I have the Paragard IUD (copper IUD-nonhormonal). I decided against the Mirena because I was breastfeeding and I was worried that the hormones could decrease my milk supply (my OB said this was a very slight risk because the mirena hormones are localized) BUT I did not want to take that chance. I got my IUD about 8 wks after I had my second and I really like it. After insertion I had some cramping and spotting, but it wasn't bad. I guess the one bad thing about the Paragard is that it will not decrease your periods over time like the Mirena can.

When my supply of free Durex condoms runs out, , I plan on at least getting an IUD, if not a tubal or some version of it. I have three beautiful daughters, I'd like more kids, but if they come into my life it won't be via my womb. Between my back surgery and heart condition pregnancy is ROUGH. I take a lot of medication for my heart condition and most of it is of the "don't stop taking this or you could die" variety, so an unplanned pregnancy would literally put my life at risk, not to mention the strain on my spine, I've used a cane or walker to walk enough in my life. I'll foster or adopt any other kids.

I know I looked into two versions of the IUD recently, one lasted longer than the other. Slippage frightens me. I agree with a PP that you should have a say over whether or not you have a tubal. I just need to find out if Medicare will pay for one for me, if it will, I need to schedule it. {Hey, Ditzy, you said you were in research mode, wanna find that out?}

I'm curious, since it wasn't mentioned as an option, what about your husband getting a Vasectomy? My oldest daughters father had one after we split up, but later had it reversed and has a total of four kids now. Aside from waddling about with an ice pack....seemed simple enough to me. But then I was the exwife who found it funny.

I have the paraguard IUD.

I had one between DD and DS for 16 months or so.

Then got a new one put in when DS was 6 weeks. He is now 3.5 years old. I liked
the fact that the paraguard gave me 10 years to decide if we are done with 2 kids or will
have more, vs 5 years with the mirena. Paraguard is non hormonal, which I liked.

The con to the paraguard is no reduction in number or intensity of periods. In fact it can make them heavier and cramping worse so if you already have bad cramps or heavy periods you may want to go with the mirena.

Not to be argumentative (cause you know I love you Keizermom) but getting a vasectomy reversed is not easy, cheap, or guaranteed. It is a very expensive medical procedure (sometimes as much as 8-12k) and is often not successful, leaving the male sterile for life. Vasectomies should be considered PERMANANT birth control just as tubals are (although both have a chance of being reversed). Even if the reversal is sucessful you generally have to try to conceive for 1-2 years. Not fun and terribly heartbreaking.

And if you think convincing your husband to have a vasectomy is hard try convincing him of having it reversed for a grand total of TWO surgeries on his special area.

Of course I'm talking from experience and love!

Be careful when looking into this option. If you are not absolutely super sure you don't want anymore children, don't do it.