to wonder why I've just got a letter from my GP about contraception?

[TotorosOcarina]

Have not been to them regarding it at all, in fact am 31 weeks pregnant.

Just got a letter from a doctor I don't even see very often, a personal letter from him, saying enclosed is a print off about the benefits of long term contraception.

Then a print out (not a leaflet) from his own PC (his name is on the header) about the implant.

Has he just randomly been looking at my file and decided to send me this?!

It will be a mail merge letter, not personal to you, unless he handwrote it, in which case that is very strange!

I'm sure he can search his database for people who have stopped contraception, so that he can give a gentle prod, so to speak.

They are probably low on their quota for "contraceptive advice" and have picked a dozen people from their files so they can add you to the count....Or else they think you are someone else who did ask about it!

I got a letter from my GP about long term contraceptive choices after I'd vaguely mentioned other options while getting a new supply of the pill, and I assume what we talked about on the day didn't quite get a tick in the box for their targets, but this additional info made the difference...

Why worry?

My boyfriend regularly gets letters asking him to get his cock swabbed for assorted venereal diseases. He's not at the surgery every monday morning with a drippy green cock - simply fits in to the age range most "at risk".

It's not personal, even if it were it can be happily filed in the bin.

There's a big push to get women on 'long-term contraception' (esp. Mirena coil).

Well he can sod off

I just thought it was odd and a bit rude. If I wanted to go and ask about the implant I would.

I have been sent two clamydia(sp?) tests in the last year - and DH too. Purely because we are under 25.

They just go in the bin.

It irritates me because it's such a huge waste to send unsolicited STI tests, espeically when the take up rate must be tiny as the info is worded so insultingly.

I'm 32 weeks PG and in a baby progress style weekly newsletter I received last week it suggested now was a good time to be thinking about contraception post birth of the baby.

I actually don't think it's a bad suggestion - there's going to be a lot going on once baby is born so it's worth thinking about now.

Probably the letter was sent at 31 weeks deliberately to get you thinking along these lines?

Frankly I don't know what I'm going to do - I will BF again, so use condoms for a while (hooray ) but I don't want to have another child after this one, so I need to be thinking about long term options. Hormonal options don't do me any favours!

Suppose you are right finding.

I want DH to get the snip but it won't be done by the time baby arrives.

DH had the snip after our third. 'Tis bliss because I can't use hormonal contraception and copper coil is not for me.

GPs have targets that anyone getting contraception must also have been advised on Long Term Rerversible Contraceptio (LARCS). SO if you had any pills etc since 1st Jan 2010 they need to "advise" you by 31/3/11.

A lot of people will also be asked their smoking in the next few weeks too!

I get that rubbish all of the time, and the blooming pee bottle test things! I did wonder why.

Luckily I don't live at my parents house anymore so when my Mum works out what they are she either just bins them and complains over the phone about it or sends me them because she finds it hilarious, especially when I got three chlmydia tests within six months whilst I was nannying.

Guessing I should be expecting a bottle, letter about contraceptives and smoking in the near future then

OOoh it would be lovely if DP got the snip. He's not up for it though (bloody unfair - I feel I've more than done my bit reproductively speaking for our family and now it's his turn etc etc etc - you know the arguments!!!)