LAM v. mini-pill

DS is exclusively breastfed, but I don't fit all the "requirements" of
LAM as birth control, because he occassionally sleeps through the
night. However, following DD's birth, I didn't ovulate for sixth
months after starting her on solids, feeding her only every 4-8 hours,
etc.

Anyway, my OB said I should start on the mini-pill (the type of
contraception was my choice -- we hate barrier methods, and I don't
want an IUD, etc) right away. I'm a bit reluctant to do so because I
was on regular low-dose pills briefly while nursing DD, and it
completely ruined my supply. Additionally, I've heard the mini-pills
have some nasty side effects like spotting, heavier periods, moodiness,
etc. Does anyone have any experience with these, good or bad? I just
can't decide what to do. I wouldn't be devastated if I got pregnant
unexpectedly, but I'd rather have at least a year "off" before another
pregnancy.

Thanks!

-Carlye
DS 6-2-06
DD 9-29-04

hmm mini pill should not have any effect on supply, there is spotting, but
particularly when combined with breastfeeding, will probably mean absent or
very light periods.

However I'd suggest LAM combined with natural family planning, get hold of
"taking charge of your fertility" so you can figure out when you ovulate and
then make the decision whether you baby dance or not

Anne

We use barrier method - so I'm not a help, Carlye!

Anne: My DD is 7 1/2 months old now and my periods haven't returned.
How do you figure out when you ovulate before they return? I'd love to
not use condoms and used natural family planning successfully for
almost 10 years, but I'm concerned we'd get pregnant since I could
ovulate and not know it... any advice?

Thanks,
Misti

Anne Rogers wrote:
hmm mini pill should not have any effect on supply, there is spotting, but
particularly when combined with breastfeeding, will probably mean absent or
very light periods.

However I'd suggest LAM combined with natural family planning, get hold of
"taking charge of your fertility" so you can figure out when you ovulate and
then make the decision whether you baby dance or not

Anne

"Carlye" wrote in message
ups.com...
DS is exclusively breastfed, but I don't fit all the "requirements" of
LAM as birth control, because he occassionally sleeps through the
night. However, following DD's birth, I didn't ovulate for sixth
months after starting her on solids, feeding her only every 4-8 hours,
etc.

Anyway, my OB said I should start on the mini-pill (the type of
contraception was my choice -- we hate barrier methods, and I don't
want an IUD, etc) right away. I'm a bit reluctant to do so because I
was on regular low-dose pills briefly while nursing DD, and it
completely ruined my supply. Additionally, I've heard the mini-pills
have some nasty side effects like spotting, heavier periods, moodiness,
etc. Does anyone have any experience with these, good or bad? I just
can't decide what to do. I wouldn't be devastated if I got pregnant
unexpectedly, but I'd rather have at least a year "off" before another
pregnancy.

I've recently started on the mini-pill, which was approved for
breastfeeding. No affect on supply - though I do have a two-year-old. My
periods are lighter and I have less cramping, but the downside is I got two
this month :-/ I guess I'll see how it goes, I've only been on it about 2
1/2 months now. Still as moody as ever, unfortunately.


--
Amy
Mum to Carlos born sleeping 20/11/02,
& Ana born screaming 30/06/04
http://www.freewebs.com/carlos2002/
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/a/ana%5Fj%5F2004/
My blog: http://spaces.msn.com/members/querer-hijo-querer-hija/

Anne: My DD is 7 1/2 months old now and my periods haven't returned.
How do you figure out when you ovulate before they return? I'd love to
not use condoms and used natural family planning successfully for
almost 10 years, but I'm concerned we'd get pregnant since I could
ovulate and not know it... any advice?

heck, I'm no expert, I think Leslie uses this method, personally I went for
the mini pill between pregnancies and now have a mirena.

The basic thing is examining your cervical mucous, it goes thin and like egg
white just as you are ovulating, I've never attempted to use this method for
contraception, more as a conception aid, the problem I found was though that
if you are not using a barrier method of contraception then there is usually
semen mixed with the mucous and it makes telling anything impossible, for me
at least!

Although it's possible to ovulate before you have your first period
following LAM, I seem to recall that a lot are annovulatory (no egg 14 days
earlier), so it's low risk, but not risk free. You'd really need to get the
book, I gather there is also one "breastfeeding and natural child spacing",
most people recommend the other one first, but I don't know if it contains
enough info for this stage.

Anne

Although it's possible to ovulate before you have your first period
following LAM, I seem to recall that a lot are annovulatory (no egg 14 days
earlier), so it's low risk, but not risk free. You'd really need to get the
book, I gather there is also one "breastfeeding and natural child spacing",
most people recommend the other one first, but I don't know if it contains
enough info for this stage.

The chances of ovulating before your first period rise over time and
are much greater if your first period is after your baby is six months
old.

"Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing" covers spacing babies by
breastfeeding and extending lactation amenorrhea (also has advice for
trying to get pregnant while nursing if that is your goal), but leaves
teaching how to determine when fertility is returning to the standard
nfp/fertility awareness texts. I have a booklet "Natural Family
Planning During Breastfeeding and Weaning" by Joy DeFelice (an NFP
researcher at Sacred Heart Medical Center, Spokane, Washington USA).
In addition to using the mucus sign to identify approaching ovulation,
she also says that changes in the cervix can be an "extremely valuable"
fertility sign during breastfeeding.

I personally have found that having had good training and nfp practice,
I have had plenty of fertility signs before my first ovulation.

--Betsy

Another alternative is NFP, (Natural Family Planning),
i.e. learning a
system of monitoring your cervical fluid.

NFP is very effective during breastfeeding, if
a good system is used and it's followed carefully,
e.g. the Billings method or the Couple to Couple League
method.

When breastfeeding, if the first ovulation happens
before the first period, that first ovulation is usually
marked by very clear fertile mucus extending over many
days. Of course, you don't rely on that but follow the
method and abstain for the recommended number of days
when there's even a bit of fertile mucus on even one
day. But, that statistic makes the method very effective
when combined with the natural reduction in fertility
during breastfeeding.

When periods return before six months, during breastfeeding,
usually at least the first period is an infertile one.
(Again, of course you don't rely on that.)

See my Natural Family Planning Primer
linked from my home page
http://www.ncf.ca/~an588

"Carlye" ) writes:
DS is exclusively breastfed, but I don't fit all the "requirements" of
LAM as birth control, because he occassionally sleeps through the
night. However, following DD's birth, I didn't ovulate for sixth
months after starting her on solids, feeding her only every 4-8 hours,
etc.

Anyway, my OB said I should start on the mini-pill (the type of
contraception was my choice -- we hate barrier methods, and I don't
want an IUD, etc) right away. I'm a bit reluctant to do so because I
was on regular low-dose pills briefly while nursing DD, and it
completely ruined my supply. Additionally, I've heard the mini-pills
have some nasty side effects like spotting, heavier periods, moodiness,
etc. Does anyone have any experience with these, good or bad? I just
can't decide what to do. I wouldn't be devastated if I got pregnant
unexpectedly, but I'd rather have at least a year "off" before another
pregnancy.

Thanks!

-Carlye
DS 6-2-06
DD 9-29-04

"Anne Rogers" ) writes:
The basic thing is examining your cervical mucous, it goes thin and like egg
white just as you are ovulating, I've never attempted to use this method for
contraception, more as a conception aid, the problem I found was though that
if you are not using a barrier method of contraception then there is usually
semen mixed with the mucous and it makes telling anything impossible, for me
at least!

To follow a method with the proper amount of carefulness
you probably need to take a (short) course or read a book
on it. The methods I'm familiar with usually require
restricting intercourse to every 2nd evening during times
when signs of fertility are being looked for. This is so
that the mucus can be seen clearly without other fluids interfering.
During regular menstrual cycling, after ovulation is confirmed
each cycle (and certain conditions are met) intercourse can
then occur as often as desired until menstruation.

One alternative, (though perhaps too inconvenient,)
would be to pump breastmilk once or twice each night,
to reduce fertility.

Anne Rogers wrote:
hmm mini pill should not have any effect on supply, there is spotting, but
particularly when combined with breastfeeding, will probably mean absent or
very light periods.

However I'd suggest LAM combined with natural family planning, get hold of
"taking charge of your fertility" so you can figure out when you ovulate and

That's how I got pregnant this time!!!

Amy