I sort of left you in a bit of a lurch just before we left for Hawaii in regards to the postpartum depression I have/had. I went onto anti-depressants just before we left. I can't say for sure whether it was the drugs, the sunshine, or just being able to relax once we got to our destination - but I felt better almost immediately. I do think the drugs are helping some, and I'm not nearly so irrational ("James has thrush, James isn't eating enough, James has diahrea, James coughs too much..."). I am much calmer, and can let things happen and not worry that there is an impending disaster just waiting to happen. That's how I was feeling for about 4 weeks straight - that there was something bad lurking around every corner. I also felt abandoned during the day when Ryan would go to work, and I could not stop crying because I was scared to be by myself - yes, scared. That is definately NOT like me, so I am very happy that my brave and loving husband stepped in and said, "You need to see a Doctor". I feel so much better now, and in control. I go off the drugs in a couple of days, so we'll see what happens after that. I am hoping that I won't have to go back on them.I would like to go back on birth control, and I'm going to talk to my Dr. about this week. However, I have heard a few reports that my milk may dry up. Can anyone give me their birth control/breastfeeding stories? Were you able to go back on it, or did you have problems with your milk supply?
17 comments :
i personally never went back on the pill....messes with your body too much! we learnt how to track using the serena method which is tempertature, etc. so easy and it keeps you so in tune with your body. you can totally tell when you need to be careful, etc. and you're not putting hormornes into your body anymore.
then when you want to try for the next one, it's super good for tracking fertility. there's a great website i used to enter all my data and it tracked everything for me. very handy.
I totally agree with Patti. I went off birth control after being married for six months, and not only did I feel better, was less moody, etc, I learned tons about my body, and always know when everything is happening. I knew exactly when my baby was due before visiting any doctor too. Which, by the way, can be so off from what the Doctors tell you.
I have heard a lot of people say that being on the pill has dried up their milk supply. I didn't try it, so I can't tell you from personal experience. Also, for a lot of moms, not all, but a lot, you won't get your period back until you stop nursing James on a regular basis. I didn't get mine until Rowan started on solid foods at six months. The tricky part is not knowing when it will come back though!
If you are interested in NOT taking the pill, there's a great book called Taking Charge of Your Fertility, and it sure cleared things up for me. Like Patti said, it's great for preventing, and planning pregnancy.
I just have negative feelings toward the pill, partially because of how much better I felt after I went off of the pill, and because of my sister-in-law Liane's experience, so I may be biased.
Another little bonus tip:
Being off of the pill can make your sex life much better.
I can't tell you about breast feeding with the pill.
But I will never go back taking the pill. I took it for 9 month and I had soooo many side effects. 3 Month after taking the pill I had to stop working, because I had crazy muscle and bone pain. They did all sorts of test and never really found anything.
So I did my own research and found out that low testosterone causes the pain I had. Also does it kill you sex drive. And the pill does lowers your testosterone!
I also had other side effects and started feeling better as soon as I went off. After going off the pill, I did the temperature thing (I got my information's of the internet) and something called cycle beads (www.cyclebeads.com). I also learned a lot about my body, but you have to be very disciplined (we cheated once and I got pregnant)
There is a pill that you can take while nursing called Micronor -- it gives the same amount of one of the hormones everyday of the month. I took this after both Madeline and Luke and I think I liked it. I never had a problem with my milk on it. I also never got my period, but that was just what my body does while nursing and not b/c of hte pill (my friend used Micronor and got her period).
Marc and I have also been thinking a lot lately about natural contraceptive methods -- we have friends who use Serena. And I had a bad bout with Marvellon last summer. But I'm kind of considering doing Micronor again b/c I wonder if the same levels of hormones makes me more "stable" post-baby. It could be b/c I enjoy the newborn stage and don't have a lot of the "philosophical" problems that I do when the kids get older (this is what happens when a philosophy major becomes a mom, you worry about how you spend every moment with your kids, and when you have a newborn, it's all laid out for you...), or maybe the meds have something to do with it.
ANyway, mention Micronor to your doctor, if you like.
You are looking so good in all the pictures and James is the most handsome baby.
I often thought about those with colicy babies when my children were tiny. Yes, us mom's go through so much emotion and worry. But just imagine a screaming baby 24/7. I often thought there should be some sort of assistance for these women and their babies.
Looking back I remember worrying about every stage. When Brooklyn was in daycare she was biting the other children, sometimes leaving marks. Tbis devestated me... She was a one year old and I would sit her down every morning and explain to her how awful this was. Then I remember worrying about how I would get her to stop using the soother. Then, how would I get her to potty train... But you know what? It all works out and now I realize how small these problems were. However small the problem it is big of you to care so much and your children can feel that. My children know that whatever happens to them in the day it is important and we will be there to help them through it.
I am glad to hear that you have been getting the right help and that you have friends and a husband that care so much for you. Use these support systems because we will be there for you. And we know you would do the same for us...
As far as birth control goes I am not in favour of it either. My feeling was that we were married and even though other forms of birth control were not as effective we would take the slight chance of getting pregnant. I didn't like how felt when I was on the pill. It plays with your moods and weight. With all three children I would not get my period until I started weaning.
Remember also that there are no textbook answers to your many questions. We really need to do what is right for us. If that means keeping James in your bed until he is one or rocking him to bed every night then do it. Be strong and confident in your choices.
Heather, take care of yourself during this precious time. Take time for yourself and keep your creative talents flowing.
I used the same pill as Dixie and had no problems while I nursed Ben. That being said, I too am done with the pill and haven't used anything since we had Sam, but mostly because I am lazy and don't feel like buying it, and remembering to take it and also cause I don't really care if I happen to get pregnant again...
Hi Heather! I went back on Marvelon six weeks after H was born. It never effected my milk supply. But, as we all know, woman can react differently. I never ever want to go back on the pill because my body just feels so much better (too many things to get into here...) when I'm not on the pill. I'm glad you are doing better these days!!
I'm soooooo glad to hear that you're doing better!! I knew you had it in you! :) Little James is so lucky to have you as his mommy, you're great! I love that pic of you two, so two pees in a podish.
I've never breatsfed, well other than the few days with my son. But my sis has breatsfed all her kiddies. She dried up after 4 or so months with all the kids, and she was devastated each time. Then with her last girl, she didn't go on the pill to see if that what made her dry up, and she was able to breast feed for 8 months. So clearly it was the pill that caused the milk to go away. She's expecting again, and with this one, she will not go on the pill cuz she wants to breastfeed for a long time. If you want to keep breastfeeding for a while, I wouldn't go on the pill if I were you.
Like one of the ladies said, everyone reacts differently and you have to find something that works for you.. a few things i have to add.. even tho you may not get your period during the time that you are breastfeeding, that does not mean that you cannot get pregnant. my aunt relied on that as birth control and she got pregnant when her first child was 5 months old! Side effects for me have never been that bad with birth control, so after the 6 week mark I decided to go back onto the pill Micronor (also mentioned before) and didn't have any problems with milk drying up, i nursed my son until he was 6 mons.. i also never found the pill to effect my libido and then i also didn't have to worry about cheating (like lianne said) and getting caught pregnant :) plus we got pregnant right when we started trying for my son so i didn't want to take the chance of possibly getting pregnant really soon after my son was born since fertility was NOT a problem!! (sorry if this is too much info i just wanted to share that there are two sides to some of the issues mentioned) I guess u r gonna have to find what works for you and if it doesn't work one way, you can always go back and try something else!! love your pics by the way and your son is so lovely!
Hi Heather,
I read your blog often. James sure is a cutie! I'm Esther's sister.
Just thought I would let you know that I went back on the pill at 6 weeks post pardom. I went on a pill that just had progestin , no estrogen. They are called Micronor and were recommended to me because I was breastfeeding. I did not find that my milk dried up at all as I breast fed Ella until she was 9 months. I would have gone longer buy she weaned herself!
totally agree with patti and stacey re: serena and not being on the pill. especiallly stacey's last comment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my hubby will attest to it.
Serena has changed our marriage - literally. I realize now how sterile I felt while being on the pill. And the Serena method is amazing - and very effective if you follow the rules and are careful.
ps i miss you patti!! i hear congrats are in order for #2!!!!
I am glad you are feeling better. I had to smile when I read of most people recommending Serena/the temp method. I totally recommend it and you can do it when you are breast feeding. I plan to never touch the pill again in my life. Though the one thing I miss about the pill is that it stopped achne-Rebekah Friesen
my only advice would be...DO NOT GO ON BIRTH CONTROL! It was the worst mistake I did. I went on the pill 6 weeks after Preston was born...it dried my milk up in 2 weeks. Not to get you worried, but for that time, Preston wasn't getting enough to eat, so he was the crustiest baby until we discovered what the problem was. My advice would be to use some other method, or like patti said some sort of tracking thing (i'll look into that for after this one is born), I think you'll be a lot happier. I didn't like myself when I was on the pill, and neither did my husband! lol He had commented many times that I was a lot moodier when I was on the pill. Hopfelly this helped!
Everyone's body is different, and everyone reacts differently. I just started back on the pill, but I'm on Micronor - It's a progesterone-only pill, and it's the estrogen that affects/dries up your milk. So far, it's been fine for me. I always enjoyed being on the pill because it cleared up my skin, made my cycle regular, decreased my cramps and made my period lighter. So for me, it was good. If you DO want to be on B.C., definitely talk to your doctor first. If not, there are obviously other options! HOpe you can find something suitable for you and for your body (and that is agreeable for James!)
Im glad your doing better. Im doing better as well... I still have my emotional spills but not nearly as often. It just takes time.
James is such a bald lil cutie! hehe
About birth control. I dont know anything about the effects it has on breastfeeding... but I'll be honest with you... Im against typical oral birth control pills/shots/patches, etc...
Ive done my research (I can share more if you want through email)... and my husband has as well (more so than me). Majority of the birth control out there causes abortions. To most dr's its not viewed as an abortion though because the fertilized egg can never attach (due to the uterus lining being thinned out by the birth control)... so this egg is just released out (similar to a miscarriage).
They say on average every 10 months a woman on birth control who is married or engaging in regular sexual activity will abort a fertilized egg. Every 10 months!
I believe though that a baby is a baby at conception and not implantation... so to allow our bodies to just toss that baby without us knowing it is just as wrong as me going to an abortion clinic at 3 months and having it done there.
Thats my belief though. My own conviction. I dont look down on anyone who uses birth control... but I do think its very wise to do your homework regarding which pill you choose.
Just a thought.
Ive never been on oral birth control. There are other methods that are much safer.
Everyone is different of course, but i HAVE to tell you my experience....
I've had 4 kids. I've always wanted to breastfeed....
Caleb obviously didn't, he was disabled
With Noah, I dried up in the 4th month! I cried and cried. Putting him on the bottle was sooo hard...
When I had Isaiah, I was so scared it would happen again, and it did!!!!!! I cried and cried.....
As soon as i got pregant with Faith, I cried and cried even before I gave birth. I asked for prayers, I prayed and prayed that God would let me breast feed for longer than 4 months!.....I asked for wisdom wondering why I dried up and what I could do differently....
I decided NOT TO GO BACK ON THE PILL this time. I knew that I was back on the pill when noah and isaiah were 2 months old. Dr's told me it WOULD NOT affect my milk, so I trusted them....
When Faith was 8 months old, I was still nursing! It was the pill that dried me up. And I'm so thankful that God answered my prayer.
I would be cautious when thinking of the pill. if anything, try the Mini pill, or not the pill at all till your done nursing....that is if you want nursing to stay smooth....
that's my story. my God lead YOU in YOUR path and may God answer your questions....
after reading the comments, i really really agree with natural birth control. I haven't been on the pill for 6 years and you feel like yourself. there isn't drugs interfereing with you, changing you and telling you how you feel....
of course this is all opinion and personal choice
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