MummaB, it's not the first choice for BFing mums because the uterus stays softish and contracts during feeding for a good few months while one is BFing. This raises the chance of perforation, because the uterine walls are softer. Your care provider will have their own stats - you can ask what their perforation rate is like and how many of those women were BFing. I never asked about BFing because i'd weaned by the time i got my Mirena, but my doctor had had zero perforations, although, as she put it "i've only done 900 insertions" (the rate is 2 per 1000 i think). In addition a small amount of the hormone passes in the milk (i think i read 6% of mum's blood level - your blood level with Mirena is 10% of what it'd be on the mini-pill). SOME women have supply issues on levongestrel (the mirena hormone). I had slower let-down and my already failing (thyroid issues) supply suffered even more.

I'm kind of in the same conundrum (not PG yet though!) as between and after kids i'm aiming to use Mirena. For me so far (only about 17 months) though i had mildly annoying spotting for 10 or so months and STILL get my period and a day of post ovulation spotting every month, so long as i take my EPO i don't have any other symptoms and i'm loving this method. I wouldn't have my tubes tied (too permanent and invasive) and i wouldn't want DP to get the snip either (same reason) so i'm researching my eyes out just now! LOL. I am thinking next time i will had a copper IUD from 6wks-12months PP and then have the Mirena put in when bubs is eating food well - that's if i don't want to have another one soon after. I don't plan to BF much longer than 12-18 months anyway, so i'm happy to continue feeding until my supply drops off, if it does, after re-insertion.

Anyway, those are my thoughts. LOL.

Missya, i'm so sorry you had terrible side effects. I had a similar experience on Depo provera and it was hell.

Bx