It'll have to be condoms won't it?

[Thewheelweavesasthewheelwills]

I was going to post in family planning but it seems have no activity!

I'm due baby no 2 in a few weeks, and starting to thing of what contraceptive we will use after.

Now, it was about 4 months before I felt like having sex after baby no 1 so no rush on thinking this one out!!

I know I don't want hormonal both because I was just sick of it before TTC and also IDK how I feel about it with bf, not that I worry it will have an affect on baby I just want my body to have a chance to recover itself. I had pp depression last time. The thoughts of a coil/ similar makes me shudder.

I breastfed no 1 for a year and know I didn't ovulate as I started tracking OPKs. But I won't use that as a guaranteed contraceptive. Also it was super difficult to get pregnant and stay pregnant so it's not likely to be an issue!

DH wants to have a vasectomy he is 100% that he is done with 2. But I think we should leave it a year to be sure sure. I am prob 99% sure

So it's condoms right? Or am I missing a glaringly obvious choice.

You could try a diaphragm? I was reading up on them recently due to similar concerns with hormonal contraception.

Apparently, this is the one they sell in the UK. They're one size fits all.

https://caya.co.uk/store.html

I haven't actually tried it myself yet, but I'm considering it.

Yes to condoms in this situation. And I think you are right that it’s better to wait a bit for vasectomy.

Coil?

@TonyeKnausgaard I use that and no accidents so far - been using about 18 months. The only downside is it affects spontaneity but I can't cope with hormonal contraception and I don't like the feel of condoms so best solution for me.

I got my tubes tied when I was 29, but you would have to be 100% certain you didn't want another child.

How do you feel about a copper coil , no hormones involved

Copper coil?

It took us over 2 years for dh to get his vasectomy, the waiting lists can be huge! I recommend your dh gets the ball rolling with it asap then he can always change his mind if you do want more kids further down the line. Best just to get on the list.

Withdrawal method?

I'd never rely on condoms as the only form of contraception unless part of you wouldnt mind getting pg, as I've known so many friends get pg after accidents (not all went on to have a baby). If you do opt for condoms I'd use a fertility tracking method and always keep a stock of MAP with you.

DH got the snip after dc2 and waiting list was about 4 months. I got a copper coil while we were waiting (I kept it in even after the snip as I've heard it's not 100% reliable).

That’s an excellent way to get pregnant!

Condoms are fine as with careful use they are 98% effective. Diaphragm can be great for some users, but aren’t always successful as they need to be placed correctly every time, with spermicide, and left in for at least 6 hours after sex so there’s unfortunately lots of room for error.

Or get creative. Other non pregnancy causing options are available.

I used to have the contraceptive injection....

Why would you buy one when they’re free on the NHS @TonyeKnausgaard

With real world use condoms are 85% effective. Most people don't use them carefully every single time.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3168044/

That’s why I deliberately said careful use

I know the stats, I do this for a living. But if OP won’t consider other methods, as is her choice, it’ll have to be abstinence or a barrier method.

Just because you struggled to get and stay pregnant doesn't mean you will struggle again. It took me 7 years to have my first. I had 2 fresh IVF cycles and 5 or 6 frozen ones. My 2nd was a whoops and born 15 months after. Don't do the withdrawal method it's like Russian roulette. Condoms really are the only option. My H had the snip and it really was the best option for us. However, we are in our mid 40s.

@Greatmate no I won't be replying on pull out method. Ya I'm a little afraid we'd be one of those couples who took 4 years to have no 1. 4 miscarriages. Have 2 babies and feel 'done'. Then boom pregnant with twins 😂

@selas I know it can be different this time but my period didn't return until I stopped breastfeeding last time at 1 year, but I had on/ off tracked ovulation using OPKs from about 6 months PP and got no where near a peak so I don't think I was ovulation at all. I know that's not reliable as a method of contraceptive.

@WetBandits is the coil painful? it honestly makes me shudder which is probably childish. Is it painful to have in/out? If you work in that area what do you think of hormonal contraceptive PP? I had PND and I struggled with up and down so I'm not sure about adding hormonal contraceptive to the mix but I could be totally off on that

@SmokinPole it mostly was other creative ways we were intimate after DC1 so that's very possible.

Thanks all for the replies I must look into it more

The copper coil does affect you hormonally, even though it doesn't have hormones in it.

It gave me the most horrendous PMT. I completely blamed myself for it too, because I assumed no hormones meant I was on my natural cycle. I'm so much better without it, I'd never consider having another one. I thought it was the perfect solution until I realised how badly my mood was affected.

It can be pretty painful to have put in. But that's ten minutes in exchange for ten years of doing nothing. You can't feel it when it's in. But it can make your periods much heavier and that can be painful.

Just let him get the snip? It’s an opportune time for him to get it while you’re ’out of action’ after the birth. Quick easy day procedure.

I recommend the cap. I have used it successfully and am much happier without the extra hormones. Nicer sensation than with a condom.

Hormones fluctuate wildly PP so difficult to predict how you might be after each baby!

Coil insertion can be painful (I’ve had two, first was horrible and the second was fine to the point I was back out treating my own patients 10 mins later!), the copper coil can make your periods heavier and longer, whereas the hormonal ones make them lighter and can even stop them. If you want as little hormone as possible, I’d go for either copper or the 5-year hormonal device (Kyleena), the benefit of the coil is it acts mostly locally so generally fewer systemic side effects than other hormonal methods as it doesn’t have to send hormones charging around your entire body as they are already where they need to be.

I’d wait a good 6 weeks before coil insertion though, especially if BF as the risk of perforation increases slightly in PP women (around 6 in 1000 compared to 2 in 1000)