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Hello Old Friend (Back in the Stirrups)

The stirrups were calling my name since it's been 6 weeks since I've been in any. So, I went for my postpartum check-up today. I was a little scared, to be honest, because I haven't had the guts nor the desire to look at those parts since they were sliced open from one end to the other. Not to mention the almost 8 pound baby that somehow squeezed through. I mean, you know it can't be good when they won't even let you wipe for a week...

Anyways, she said things are healing well. I'll take her word for it.

Then, we talked about birth control... And we decided that we don't know what to do. I do know that the mini-pill isn't a great option for me for 2 main reasons. 1.) It would make it impossible for me to know if my cycles are regular again or if we're back at square one. 2.) Progesterone makes me evil. I actually would have to prepare myself to leave the house when I was on it for infertility reasons because it made me a bit homicidal. Not kidding.

So, she suggested an IUD if we want something long-term. Which I don't think we do. My gut feeling says that we should have 2 kiddos if we're lucky enough to have another. And I LOVED pregnancy, so I certainly don't mind doing it again. But since we're 30 and want our kids close together, I don't think an IUD is right.

Of course, there are a million other non-hormonal barrier type methods we can consider. Which as of now consists of the fact that my baby is attached to me 98% of the day and even sleeps with us... I've just never had to think about all of this! And not long ago, it seems like I never would since I couldn't ovulate even with medical intervention!

My infertility doc told us that he would like me to make sure that I'm ovulating once I wean Paisley. If not, he wants to see me because the hormone imbalance puts me at risk for ovarian and breast cancer. Which is one of the big downfalls of PCOS. And it's all a big reminder that although I had a baby, I'm still not normal. Bummer.

I realize that we may never get pregnant again. I also know that we may face another miscarriage. The road ahead is definitely not certain. I just feel like we are so blessed and fortunate to have one healthy baby and will welcome another pregnancy if it is meant to be. I'm just not sure when to allow that opportunity to happen or how to prevent it until that time.

Suggestions?

Comments

  1. I'm sure that is a tough decision and I'm not going to be any help. My SIL (with the same PCOS issues) got back on birth control after her son was born and has seemingly started back at square one with infertility when she got off of it last year. I know she's done some treatments and they haven't worked and not sure what they plan to do next but just thought I'd share that as food for thought. I know each person is different and you may not have any issues - it is a tough decision.
    On a lighter note - we need to get together for lunch sometime...I'll call you. :)

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  2. Eek yeah. Fellow PCOS-er here and I heard the same lecture. I however was unable to make breast milk so I began to get periods right away AND they were regular, ovulation and everything but only for the first six months... then my body went back to normal, PCOS normal. So I had a window to try to conceive without intervention and didn't take because it just felt way too soon. I know that the birth control pill exacerbates PCOS and makes is worse so we decided against that right away. The 5 year IUD does have extra hormones which I SO DO NOT NEED so we went with the 10 year (no hormone drugs with this one) knowing that I would only have it in my body for a year or two. Unfortunately I am of the small percentage of women that once you stick an IUD in I start bleeding and don't stop. Fast forward to 3 months of continuous bleeding it was removed but since my cycles were non existent again we went back to condoms knowing that even without them I wouldn't get pregnant. So yeah I went back to square one ended up the 2nd pregnancy was ectopic blah blah insert fun here but now I'm preggo again with twins. So um this is a long story with really no ending because every woman is different but we did have a small window maybe that was what I was driving at, so if it feels right, grab it and run! Hope this helps, lol

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  3. I can't comment on infertility. However the potential side effects, no matter how slim, of the IUD scared the heck out of me. My hubby just turned 36 and we too wanted our kids close, so we elected to let God tell us when he was ready for us to have another. I got pregnant when Emma was 9 months and I was still breastfeeding. You have to pick what is right for you. Just remember when you have a 6 week old baby, no one can think about having number 2, but as they get older it gets easier.

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  4. Well, given that I DO have an almost 6 week old baby AND am pregnant, I am SERIOUSLY thinking about birth control once #2 arrives. And it is SO weird to think about, given for the last 3 years (minus the last 20 weeks), I was not sure I would EVER get pregnant and carry a baby. Now I'm wondering how to keep myself from having one. Life is strange. I'll look forward to hearing what you decide (IF you decide to post), as I will be facing a similar challenge in a few months....good luck!

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  5. I agree 100% that staying off the bc is the best choice. It can only confuse your body even more. I figured that out after I put myself through it for months and then pulled myself off again. Now I'm a mess again. If you find something that works for you let me know. I'm about to call and set up my appointment to have the ovarian drilling done. I just want to stop having 60-70 day cycles.
    My prayers are with you guys and your body to do well with whatever it is you decide to do. I know this whole issue can be so tricky with us pcos girls. Hopefully you can find what your body needs to calm it down a bit.

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  6. I also had an ovarian diathermy with Dr. H. Here's what we did. It may sound old school and inconvenient, but DH and I relied on barrier methods to prevent pregnancy. I also temped to make sure I was ovulating. My experience. I got my period for the first time when my daughter was 4 months old (now almost 4 years old). I got my period after my son was 6 months old (now 18months old) and am now expecting our 3rd child yes... third after ovarian diathermy for PCOS. I also take metformin and watch my diet.

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  7. Have you heard about NFP (Natural Family Planning)? It's very effective natural birth control without any medical and hormone intervention. You can google it or go to www.ccli.org

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