Depo-Provera
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March 2009
Re: Birth Control while Breastfeeding
I breastfed both of my kids until they were 3 years-old, and
both times I was very happy on the Depo Provera injection. You
get it every three months and forget about taking pills or
anything. I did not notice any changes in my milk supply, and
the best part for me was that I did not get a period while I
was on the Depo. I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it
for people who do not want the IUD for any reason (my reason
being that I got pregnant with in IUD, but that is very rare if
properly placed). When I was ready for baby #2, i suspended the
Depo, my period resumed in 6 months and I got pregnant right
after.
Loved the Depo
April 2008
Can you take the shot while breastfeeding? Has any one taken the
shot and what have your experiences been like? Are there any
other effective forms of birth control to use while
breastfeeding? Thanks
anonymous
I am currently breastfeeding my 32 month-old, while being on
the Depo-shot. I did it with my older child too, until she was
3, and the shot has never afected my milk supply. I've been
very happy with the shot, especially since I'm one of those
persons who has a hard time remembering to take pills, etc, so
getting the shot every 3 months works great for me. Another
cool thing about it is not getting a period, which I realize
doesn't happen to everyone, but for me it's a huge bonus. I
highly recommend going for it.
toni
I went through this about 9 years ago, and there may be better
options available now...but for me, I PACKED on the pounds with
Depo, and this is after packing on pounds during pregnancy.
What a drag. But I had always put on some weight with the pill
as well, but way more with Depo. After baby #2, my dh agreed
to a vasectomy since we knew we were done, and what a wonderful
thing that's been. I knew I didn't want to take pills all the
way to menopause.
Anon
I'm not a doctor but I think it would be risky to do the Depo-Provera shot, and
here's why: you can't undo it. I have a mood disorder and was advised strongly
against getting The Shot because I had had negative reactions to birth control pills
in the past (ie massive depression). My doctor was concerned that if I had a bad
reaction, I'd have to deal with it for three months or whenever the shot wore off.
I did try birth control pills about six weeks postpartum, and my milk production
plummeted so drastically that I went off them in less than a month. If that happens
to you, you will not have that option with Depo-Provera.
Stable Moo Cow
I wrote a post yesterday suggesting that the Depo-Provera shot might decrease your
breastmilk supply... and I learned today that the shot is progesterone only, and
estrogen is what decreases milk supply. Sorry for the misinformation.
Stable Moo Cow
The shot is completely safe while breastfeeding. There are many
other methods that are safe while breastfeeding, too, like the
IUD and the pill. The shot causes many women to gain weight, but
it has no dangerous side effects.
women's health nurse practitioner
I am currently on depo and have been since I got off the mini-
pill (6 months after my daughter was born). She is almost a
year old and it's been great. I've been breastfeeding her full
time and was told by my doc the regular birth control pill,
which was my preferred method, can reduce breastmilk by 10% or
more in some women. I'd never taken depo before but it's
working fine. I got pretty emotional (generally pissy and cried
a lot) for the first shot but have adjusted well - according to
my husband. =) I haven't had a period or any bleeding since my
first round either. I have also actually lost weight, not
gained it which was nice. If you've already taken it, you know
what to expect for yourself but it's been totally safe and
effective for me. Not to mention the most recommended method
other than barriers.
Breastfeeding Depo Fan
Dec 1998
Does anyone have any first hand knowledge from using the contraceptive
shot Depo-Provera. I used it one time for a three month period, and
opted not to get the next follow up shot.
I did not have a period for the first two months of using it, then had a
2 week period during the last month I was on it. I have now had a two
week break from being on it, and just recently experienced cramps, as if
I was getting my period, but didn't.
I would like to hear from others who have used the shot. How long it
took to get back on cycle, and/or how long it took to concieve,
thereafter. The warnings from the manufacturer state that it can take
up to 18 months to get pregnant after using DP regardless of the length
of time it was used.
I would like to hear from others who have gone through attempting to
conceive after using this shot.
I also only had one shot, but I would never do it again. I had the shot in
November of last year, and only recently has my period started coming back
the way it used to. I did not get a period for at least six months, and
after that it was all out of wack. I would get a period two, three times a
month, and they were very heavy with lots of cramping. I even went to my
OBGYN because I thought something was seriously wrong. I am not trying to
conceive right now, but just wanted to share my experience since they seem
so similar.
My wife has used it for about 3 years, and recently came off it. As a
youth and an adult, she's always had a somewht erratic monthly cycle.
After going on D/P it stopped completely. We don't recall any other
obvious side effects like more-than-normal mood swings, weight or health
changes, etc. We liked it for a variety of reasons (repeat we, not just
ME). Strange thing is we have Health-Net and they used to cover the shots,
but then stopped. When we called them on it, they tried to act like they
never covered it ever. Anyhow, she's been off the shots for 6 months - 1
year and the monthly cycle is just now starting to show up again. Why
stop? No longer avoiding having a 2nd child.
I'm replying to the woman asking about Depo-Provera. I took it for
over a year. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I experienced all of
the side effects. I didn't have a period the whole time. I gained
over 25 pounds without really changing any of my other habits. My
doctor wasn't really sure what it was about Depo-Provera that caused
this and it usually happens over longer periods of time. Even though
the Pill has this possible side effect, I never had that type of
problem with it. I also suffered a mild form of depression with it.
It took almost a full year for my body to get back to normal after I
stopped getting the shots, having normal periods, the effect of the
depression lifting, etc. I have since opted for an IUD which has
worked out wonderfully. They're MUCH different now than during the
big scare in the '70s. Good luck on whatever you decide. If you want
to ask me any more questions, feel free to send me an e-mail.
I recently posted a question regarding the time scale of getting
pregnant after taking depo provera. There were a few answers which
reinforced what I had read which is that there is no typical time
frame. One woman stated that it had been approximately one year after
receiving the shot and she still had not had her period return.
I took the shot only once, with my due date for another shot being 7
December, which I choose not to get. My period in January was a bit
spotty, yet was like clockwork in February and March. Therefore I
seemed to have been ovulating, and back on track.
To give hope to others who are/were in my predicament of not knowing how
long it would take to conceive thereafter, I would like to state that I just
found out that I am pregnant. It only took us approximately 4 months, which
is a vast difference from many medical notices that say it could take as
long as 18 months.
My doctor told me that it is very unlikely that it could take 18
months for an individual who only had the shot once, however, they
often state this so that people are prepared for the extreme side.
(4/99)
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