mommag.com
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I just had a baby. As much as I love the newest member of our
family, I want to make sure I don’t get pregnant again until I’m
ready. What is the best method of birth control for when you
are breastfeeding?
Most women who breastfeed exclusively (meaning no formula and
no solids) don’t ovulate or get periods in the first six months
postpartum, so it’s reasonable to not use contraception during this
time. However, some women who exclusively breastfeed will get a
period, and some will ovulate before that first period – so you could
be fertile and not even know it!
You may decide you want to use contraception to avoid accidental
pregnancy. You have many options. Hormonal methods, which
contain progestin, come in the form of an intrauterine device (IUD),
arm implant, shot and pill. There is contradictory research regard-
ing progestin’s effect on breastfeeding; some research indicates
that it can impact milk supply, and some women may opt to not
use it unless their milk supply is well-established. You can also use
non-hormonal methods such as condoms with or without
spermicides, a diaphragm with spermicide, or the copper IUD.
These methods have no effect on breastfeeding. Out of all of these
options, the most effective contraceptives are IUDs and the arm
implant. Talk with your midwife or OB/GYN about what would be
best for you.
— Emily Yeast, certified nurse midwife, Samaritan Obstetrics &
Gynecology, Corvallis
I suffer from tendinitis, but as an active, busy parent, I can’t
let my shoulder pain slowme down. What are my treatment
options?
Tendinitis is a common cause for shoulder and knee pain, caused
by incorrect posture, overuse of tendons in new activities, or even
an injury.
While treatments for tendinitis vary from modifying behaviors to
physical therapy and surgery, platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy is
becoming increasingly common for activity-related injuries. Usually
ideal for treating more chronic symptoms that haven’t responded
to typical treatments, PRP therapy can shorten rehabilitation time,
reduce pain and, in some cases, eliminate the need for surgery.
Beginning with a simple blood draw, the platelet-rich plasma from
your own blood is then isolated with special equipment before
being injected into your injured area under direct ultrasound
guidance. The injection procedure itself is very similar to a
cortisone shot, but the treatment goal is to promote healing
and regeneration, rather than to just decrease inflammation.
To learn if PRP is right for you, call Samaritan Athletic Medicine Center
at 541-768-7700.
— Nicholas Phillips, MD, Samaritan Athletic Medicine Center,
Corvallis
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