I have recently stopped breastfeeding and I am looking for a new natural way of preventing another pregnancy. I was on the pill previously, but after reading more about hormonal birth control I have decided it is NOT for me! Does anyone have any experience with natural contraceptive methods? (I know condoms are hormone-free...but we are not a fan of condoms.) ;) Any ideas, ladies?
Just as fertility monitors can help you get pregnant, they can also help you prevent it. More on them (with really good background info) here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertility_monitor
A book will help. "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Dr. Toni Weschler is great and very informative. It contains scientific information and charts which will help you to use a combination of basal thermometer, cervical fluid and cervical positioning to optimize your best chances for birth control or fertility, whichever you prefer. One caveat: this IS a daily discipline, and you have to be diligent, or you are likely to make mistakes.
If you and your husband are open to it (and finished having children, and if it works with your personal beliefs), a vasectomy is also a less-intensive way of preventing pregnancy. Just a thought. :)
Oh, and FYI for those reading this: breastfeeding *can* suppress ovulation, but it's not a sure-fire bet. I know plenty of women who have gotten pregnant while nursing, so that's something to be thoughtful about. It's less likely to happen in societies which have less food available to people, but it does happen more and more in our well-fed culture!
"Team pull out" has been working for us for over two years since my son was born and before that we were on the "team" for four years with no problem. Just make sure you are aware of your ovulation cycle and be extra careful =)
Good Luck!
There is a book called "Taking charge of your fertility" that deals with this specifically. It's a "how to" manual for your body, and for natural birth control. Hope that helps!
I think natural family planning is a great way to go if you can't deal with pills or condoms. I used it to get pregnant, and plan to use it after I BF. However, if another pregnancy would be a tragedy, then I'd say go for permanent methods of birth control- vasectomy, tie tubes.
ask your doctor about getting fit for a diaphragm.
Well, you could try some non-hormonal types of contraception, like an iud.
Or you could use natural family planning/fertility tracking. This method requires you to be diligent in tracking your fertile periods, and to have the self discipline to abstain, or use other protection during your fertile period.
We've been using that method for about 6 months now successfully. We abstain during the fertile days... I hated hormonal birth control. Won't do that again...
Go find a copy of the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility, buy a thermometer from Target ($3.50) and get an account at FertilityFriend.com (free).
I stopped nursing my son in December 2009, and I am still baby free. (I'm counting it as one of my major accomplishments right now! LOL My time is coming...but with a four year old and such an active toddler, it doesn't feel like that "time" is here yet!"
Condoms are still in rotation around here, but only for about a week out of the month. After that, I know pregnancy is not even an OPTION, and so we can relax. It's also REALLY nice to have some more advance warning of pending visits from "aunti flo", etc.
(I've tried the patch, the pill, the mini pill...and most forms of hormones turn me into a psycho. Not fun. :-p There is still some stress every month, wondering if I've done everything right, but we're 13 months and counting...and it's great to not have any EXTRA crazy-making hormones pumping through me. I've got enough as it is!)
I don't know what you call our method. My husband i have not used any form of birth control since 1997. (2 planned children in 2001 and 2001, 2 unplanned in 1995 and 1997)
I know my cycle. It is pretty regular. I know what days i am ovulating. I have never taken my temp or anything like that. I am actually learning new things on here. Taking temps and HCG levels... are all new to me.
For the most part we use the "pull out" method. We know the days that he does not need to pull out. We also know the days that we need to be very careful. (we get creative on those days!) I feel as long as you know your body, you are pretty regular and your husband is willing to listen, you are ok.
I understand that many are not comfortable with this method. I cannot take any form of birth control. I am a stroke risk. I also hate and am allergic to condoms to an extent. I am not saying that my method would work for you. But, i must be doing something right. I really have not used any form of birth control since my 2nd daughter was born....and she will be 14 in a couple of weeks :)
FAM method we used it for years but hubby finally opted for the big V worked perfectly. I read taking charge of your fertility a few times followed all three steps works great, I also love knowing the day I get my period rather then wondering.
My husband and I used the Standard Days Method for a total of about 5 years which included time before, between and after we had our kids (both of which were 100% planned, and occurred on the first month of trying). It won't be for every woman/couple. First, your cycle has to be really regular and between 26 and 32 days in length. Second, you have to be willing to either abstain or use condoms during your fertile days.
Good luck in finding the right method for you :)
Another vote for the book: Taking Charge of Your Fertility!
It has a 30% failure rate. Just wondering why moms say it work then are like but I have had unplanned pregnancies? Lol
I don't know if you will consider this natural contraceptive there is the paragard IUD. It is hormone-free. I used it for a little over a year between my two boys, it worked really well and I never felt it. Here is a website that tells more about it. http://www.paragard.com/home.php
My hubby and I used the pull out method for years. I knew my cycle, I knew I ovulated 2 weeks after the start of my period, so for those days we abstained and also used the pull out method. Worked like a charm for probably 4-5 years. Well guess what? Surprise baby #3 was conceived~ by pull-out is our best guess because I don't think it was immaculate conception! LOL! My sister was also conceived by pull out. So, if you are okay with the risk, go for it, if not, I would chart diligently or do the hormone free IUD (I have it and love it). Good luck!
I used an IUD. If you are 5' 4'' tall a good one will cause you no trouble. Then I learned of a method called psychic birth control. It's actually a chart of your personal fertility. It really worked but of course there could be no sex at the time of the month when I was fertile which was not at the actual time for the Rhythm method.
Taking Charge of Your Fertility and a basal temp thermometer are the way to go!
Patricia G suggested the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility". LOVE IT! Read it and use it. It's the best. We've been able to use it as contraception AND use it when we wanted to concieve.
Taking Charge of your Fertility is a great book with lots of good info, Go find a copy at the used book store. You'll need a back up method (like condoms) for a little while, but once you know your cycle then you won't need a back-up. Even if you need a back-up for 6 months, that's relatively short.
