birth control after a baby---is it up to the woman?

My husband took responsibility for birth control after our daughter was born.

He thought it was time for him to step up.... after I had used BC pills before we decided to get pregnant...had her naturally....and breast fed her.

So he elected to use condoms.

BC....should be the responsibility of both partners.

I think its the responsibility of any person who doesn't want to have a child at a particular moment in time to take appropriate precautions. If a couple wants to decide together what works best for their particular circumstance and decide it will fall onto one or the other of them than that is the decision they make. I would say in my particular circle of friends it has been the norm that the woman either gets an IUD, goes on the pill, or has a tubal ligation but I have friends who use condoms or vasectomy as well.

We are doing natural family planning! I havent done good on any of the pills so why should I go with an IUD that could potentially be worse! Back in the 1800s they didnt have either birth control pills or iuds.

When I had my daughter, I started back on birth control for 2 months, and then stopped. It made me sick to my stomach everyday. The sickness got so bad that I used to joke that if I was going to be throwing up everyday, then I might as well get a baby out of the deal.

The think most women get on birth control right after having a baby because 1.) You are very fertile right after labor and 2.) condoms are only effective it used 100% right. And that means putting it on before things get to serious, making sure it fit's properly, not damaged in any way, and making sure you always have one on hand.

That being said, I don't think it should be up to just women to make sure an unplanned pregnancy doesn't happen. It should be something a couple talks about, and agrees on together.

It's not all up the woman, it's about the man too.

As a couple they need to figure out what works best ... condoms sometimes break or are not always available when the moment arises. There is a reason the pill and IUD's were invented, they're conveniant.

Birth control is a couples' decision ... Good luck!

maybe i'm not hip to what's new in birth control, but there aren't many options for men, are there? while there's nothing inherently wrong with using condoms, they're not as fool-proof as other methods that require the woman to insert or take something. as a new mom, i definitely don't want to get pregnant anytime soon. i love my baby to pieces, but she's plenty for now.

also, what's the difference between a new mom using an IUD or taking the pill and any other woman doing the same? why focus specifically on new moms? i don't get it.

It is completely normal and healthy to be quite honest with you! If you used natural family planning and got pregnant immediately after having a baby it could be wearing on your body.

We are pregnant with # 4. We want 5. Once this little guy is born we will go on birth control pills till next May to try and get pregnant by July.

I have never heard of the men using anything except for condoms!

"but why does the woman have to get something inserted or take pills???"

Because it is the woman's body that becomes an incubator for 32-40 weeks. I agree that the man has responsiblity to do his part. Here in the U.S. it is very acceptable for a woman to be using some form of birth control if she doesn't want to become pregnant.

By the way, pregnancy screws with a woman's body chemistry as well...Ever hear of HORMONES child?

I think it is completely up to the female to decide what form of birth control is best for HER body postpartum.

If she feels that condoms are the best option for her situation, so be it, but if a female chooses to use an IUD or birth control, you or I are no one to decide what is correct or incorrect.

You are also discounting all of the women who not only use condoms but birth control pills as well.

The only 100% form of "birth control" is abstinence. All other forms have associated risks and pros.

Its the responsible thing to do. Condoms are no where near as effective (only 89% efective) as IUD or pills (96-99.9% effective). Society rules out over nature for we humans. It has become a necessity to protect against pregnancy and work against our nature, which is to reproduce as much as possible. In our society, though, children live longer, cost more and are a bigger commitment. Because of that it is necessary to be sure that one can properly care for a child before having it, so birth control is the responsible thing to do. If a woman chooses not to use it, thats her choice and I support it, just as I support any woman who chooses to use protection.

I will get an IUD after this next baby. It is easier than condoms. My husband and I neither one like the way they feel.