Copper IUD

I've had two of them... the first was inserted at my 6 week post partum. Had that one for I want to say 2 years? Then I wanted another child, so I got it out, but we got divorced. I got a new one later, which I just got out this past winter when hubby got snipped, so I had that one 7 years. (Paraguard is good for 7-10 yrs) No problems to report, really. Insertion was way easier post partum than just on a regular day, since I have a tilted uterus. But you should be fine.

L.,

If you are interested in using an IUD that will allow you to breastfeed I would recommend the Mirena IUD. It is a hormonal IUD but it does not contain any estrogen so it won't interfere with nursing. It lasts for 5 years and it reduces your menstrual flow by like 80%. I got one in March and I love it. Its a lot smaller than a copper IUD and poses less risk of pelvic inflammatory disease. It can be removed at any time and your body will return to normal within a month or so just as if you were to stop taking birth control pills. They have a very informative website if you are looking for more information. www.mirenaus.com

I chose not to use one. I did a little research and visited some message boards and found that the majority of women who use the IUD experience more painful periods and heavier bleeding. My periods are already extremely heavy and extremely painful, so I didn't want to take the chance that those symptoms might worsen. But, the IUD has been used all over the world for decades now, and is generally a good alternative for breastfeeding moms. The only option for us, unfortunately, was condoms after our son was born. Needless to say, I would NOT recommend that route -- those are a pain in other ways! I would say, do some research, get a second opinion and try it if you think it's for you. You can always have it removed if it isn't right for you.

Hi L.,

After my second son I opted for the Mirena IUD. That one does have the hormones in it. I did enjoy not having to worry about taking a pill everyday and what not. I was even one of the lucky few that stopped getting a period shortly after it was inserted. I did start to notice that after about a year or year and a half I started to get really bad PMS symptoms. I was MEAN! I wondered if it was due to the IUD but never discussed it with my doctor. I had it removed shortly after noticing the symptoms because we decided to try for another baby. I became pregnant after having only one cycle after removal. I plan to ask my doctor about the copper IUD as my form of birth control after I have this baby. I really don't want to go on the hormones again but I loved the IUD. Good luck in your decision and congratulations on your baby!

Hi L.,
I have never had an IUD, but I did ask my doc about one a few years ago. I have no idea what your beliefs are, but I wasn't aware that some IUD's prevent pregnancy by preventing the fertilized egg from implanting. Once I discovered that, I wasn't comfortable with it. Some people believe that is when life begins, so its a touchy issue. I THINK that they have changed things a little, and there may be some that work differently (so dont send me a thousand messages telling me that, ladies...haha!) but it's something you may want to check out. Of course, the ONLY reason I tell you that is b/c if that does matter to you, you will not go into it uninformed, as I almost did.

Good luck with it and if you do get it, I hope you have great luck with it. ...And kudos for Grad. School!!!

L.

I have a copper IUD that I've had for 8 years now and I love it... I love the idea of now having to worry about a pill everyday or having to put on a patch or a condom.... I love that its there and I don't have to remember something each time I want to do anything... Its a big load off your mind...

I did not get the copper, but I did get the mirena (which is plastic) put in in November. That was two months postpardem. I got that because it is safe in nursing, which I am still doing. I have not had a period yet on it, but that is because I am still nursing. But I chose this one because my OB is also using it, and said she loves it. I didnt want to do anything perm. because I may want one more baby in about five years. But I can tell you how surprised I was when they put it in, and it hurt really bad. So be prepared about that. And two little stings hand down, they feel like fishing wire, and you are supposed to check daily/weekly to make sure they are still there. My IUD shifted and I can no longer feel the strings myself, so I went in and the OB said they were still there, but now they poke my husband sometimes during sex, and he finds that uncomfortable. I could go in and get my strings cut shorter, but then I would have to have a D&C to have it removed. So I dont know if I want to go that route. All in all I probably would not get another IUD put in. My husband offered to get fixed after this IUD comes out, and we have anther baby(maybe). I dont hate it, but it seemed to be the only birth control that fit my needs for right now. Good luck.

I don't have the copper IUD but I have Mirena which releases a local hormone in the uterus so it doesn't effect breastfeeding in any way. I love it, because of the progesterone released locally I don't have thickening of my uterine lining which means I don't have anything to shed once a month and I don't have a period! and I haven't had any trouble with breastfeeding since it's been in at all...no cramps...basically it's great cause I don't have to think about anything for the next 5 years! I've heard the copper one works fine too, it creates a metallic environment in your uterus which causes a lot of mucous and laziness in your follicles which makes it VERY hard to get pregnant, but for some reason I thought you could leave it in 10 years when my doctor was talking about it :) Anyway, hope that helps you.

N.

Hi L.,
I've had a copper IUD since my son was born 3 years ago. It's worked out great. I don't even think about it. The only thing is, that since I'm not on the pill anymore, my periods are a bit longer and heavier, but they were that way before I went on the pill. Also, I've noticed, now that I have an IUD, I don't seem to have really bad cramping like I used to. Just an extra bonus I guess. My dctor said that mine should last for ten years.
Best of luck,
M.

I was going to get one, did all of my research and went for the appointment, but it turned out that I had too much cervical scarring (gee, could that have anything to do with pushing out a ten pound baby with his arm up over his head??) and due to that it was extremely painful.

I had discussed it with friends who had them and they had mixed reviews. One, who has had it for four years now, LOVES it. She said that she can't feel it, only had slight cramping after insertion and has not had ANY issues with it.

Another one said that she couldn't get over the fact that there was a foreign object in her body and had it removed after two weeks.

While researching it, I found that the IUD's of today are much safer than those of the 70's. It does prevent implantation of eggs, sometimes fertilized ones, but I'm pro choice so that doesn't bother me, and because pregnancy doesn't began until implantation it really wasn't an issue for me.

I would have gotten it, had it not been for the scarring, because I like the idea of not taking hormones, not having to worry about my birth control and being able to have spontaneous "relations ;)" with my husband without the fear of pregnancy.

Good luck with whatever you choose.