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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To consider 2 forms of contraception at once?

53 replies

Chattycat78 · 23/04/2017 07:57

Just that really. 2 small children. Am done. Couldn't cope with another- no way. Termination is something I'm not comfortable with, so getting pregnant now would be a disaster as I couldn't get rid of it, but I couldn't go through it all again if that makes sense! We're just at the point now where ds2 is sleeping through (10 months), plus I had hyperemesis in the last pregnancy and I really don't want to do it again!

Am taking the combined pill- and very religious about taking it too. BUT it's only about 95 Percent effective I believeHmm.

Anyone else managed to juggle a combination of contraception?

Please please don't suggest the following:

  • condoms- been married for years. Don't want to Go back to those days.
-the coil- tried it- had one fitted 2 weeks ago and it perforated my uterus and I had to have keyhole surgery to get it removedHmm - --never again.

Any other combinations I could use together- e.g. Can you get the injection or something and still use the pill?

OR AIBU (and paranoid) even considering this?! I used the pill for years before kids and it never crossed my mind it might let me down so I'm not sure why I'm thinking about it now! I'm probably not that fertile either (38) although I wouldn't rely on that fact of course.

Any thoughts?

OP posts:
BakerBear · 23/04/2017 07:59

Sterilisation?

I'm having one on wed

twocockers · 23/04/2017 08:10

Vasectomy?

KungFuPandaWorksOut16 · 23/04/2017 08:13

I thought sterilisation, but aren't some doctors strict about it bear

I know a few ladies who have asked and been rejected for reasons such as you're under 30 and could change your mind. What if you meet a new partner etc.

TheDropBear · 23/04/2017 08:14

If taken correctly the pill is over 99% effective. The implant is apparently more effective but that's probably just down to the fact that there's no human error with it. If the pill suits you with regards to side effects I'd personally be reluctant to try different hormonal contraceptives when there's less than 1% difference in effectiveness between them.

You could use a non-hormonal option combined with a hormonal one. What about a diaphram or cap? Or if you don't like condoms maybe femidoms? Would you or your partner consider sterilisation?

MoreThanUs · 23/04/2017 08:14

I've heard that your body can have a peak in fertility before menopause - so around the early 40s. There are a load of posters on here who have got pregnant very easily late 30s early 40s. I'd suggest vasectomy too if you both know you're done. The pill taken correctly and other precautions used during sickness / other med should be nearly 100%. It worked for most of us during our super fertile teens and 20s!

Anditstartsagain · 23/04/2017 08:16

I've asked dp to have the snip from what I understand they prefer that to female sterilisation if possible. They are not keen on doing it as young as we are and with only 2 kids but I know lots of older friends with 2 thats husbands have had it done. If he's willing its the best thing imo saves you years of pumping your body full of meds.

Levatrice · 23/04/2017 08:16

The only thing i would have thought would be safe(ish?!) together is pill and copper coil but obviously you wont be having another one of those!

Diaphram if you can get one from somewhere? Not sure if FPC stock these anymore

Original poster
Chattycat78 · 23/04/2017 08:17

Thanks all. Have suggested vasectomy. DH not keen! Haha.

Sterilisation- hmm perhaps. Not sure if they'll just do it because you fancy it will they? Or has it got to be that you can't use other methods of contraception or something?

OP posts:
AnnieAnoniMouse · 23/04/2017 08:18

I don't think you're silly at all, quite the opposite.

I doubt there are any hormonal contraceptives you can use together and I seriously doubt you'd find a Dr to do/prescribe them.

The 'cap' seems like the obvious solution to me, at least until one of you is ready to do something permanent (vasectomy or sterilisation).

Original poster
Chattycat78 · 23/04/2017 08:18

What's the deal with a diaphragm? Can you feel them? Are they uncomfortable?

OP posts:
Original poster
Chattycat78 · 23/04/2017 08:19

Is the cap the same as diaphragm? I hadn't considered that

OP posts:
jarhead123 · 23/04/2017 08:19

I have the implant in my arm and was bleeding, so a dr prescribed me the pill to take alongside it to make sure. SO that might work?

Original poster
Chattycat78 · 23/04/2017 08:21

Jar- is that a permanent thing though? Or will they only give that to you short term?

OP posts:
MinisWin · 23/04/2017 08:22

What about an implant? Bloody loved mine. Very effective and fuss-free.

AnnieAnoniMouse · 23/04/2017 08:23

How does DH feel about

  • another child
  • a termination
  • you going through another pregnancy
  • you & your existing family

?

It's all very easy for him too say he's not keen on a vasectomy, I don't suppose many men are, but the caring adults amongst them generally realise that given the options & risks of everything concerned, it's the best option, the lesser of the evils. Of course you can't make him do it, but I'd want a much better discussion about it than 'I don't fancy it'.

MinisWin · 23/04/2017 08:23

X-post. You have it for 3 years then get it replaced, no fertile period as long as there's no gap between removal and insertion. No reason why you can't use long term normally.

ShowOfHands · 23/04/2017 08:24

I was using the pill and condoms and still got pregnant. I wanted a diaphragm but because they're out of favour, nobody could fit one. You have to fit x many with a gap no longer than y months between fittings to still be allowed. My GP and the family planning clinic could no longer do it. I was quite surprised.

BarbarianMum · 23/04/2017 08:24

Diaphragm is great once you get used to inserting it. Not uncomfortable unless you put it in wrong.

Sterilisation is better. How "not keen" is your dh. Would he prefer another baby? Or you to have a termination ?

Lweji · 23/04/2017 08:24

I'd think vasectomy first.

You can't combine two hormonal forms. And if you're going for two, at least one should be for the man.
Then you can use the pill.

If you don't mind only having sex on a 10 day window a month, you could track your ovulation and it's perfectly safe from 3-4 days post-ovulation to your period. The bit from your period to your ovulation is not safe at all.

Screwinthetuna · 23/04/2017 08:25

Could you not just him to pull out as well as being on the pill? That would surely make it 100%
I know I will get flamed for suggesting the pull out method but i'm extremely fertile (pregnant with both children by having sex one time) and yet we used pull out method for a couple of years prior and I never got pregnant.
You're on the pill, after all

wickerlampshade · 23/04/2017 08:25

The most reliable contraception is the implant - 0.005% failure rate. Sterilisation for women has about a 0.5% failure rate so much less good.

ShowOfHands · 23/04/2017 08:26

A vasectomy has a 10% risk of long term problems which is significantly higher than most other options. It's not the lesser of the evils at all imho. It needs careful consideration.

Screwinthetuna · 23/04/2017 08:26

Get him *

BarbarianMum · 23/04/2017 08:29

No a vasectomy has a 10% chance of some problems occurring, most of which are short term. That's what dh was told.

Original poster
Chattycat78 · 23/04/2017 08:40

Lweji- could you Track ovulation on the pill? The pill prevents ovulation doesn't it so would u be able to track it?

OP posts:
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