NHS waiting lists for coil fitting causing unplanned pregnancies

[BlueKittens]

AIBU to think that the long waiting lists to fit the (Mirena) coil are causing unplanned pregnancies? Obviously sex and failed alternative contraception is a big factor too, but don’t women have the right to timely contraception provision?

I’m currently a few months pregnant after twice being unable to secure an appointment for a coil fitting at my surgery. There wasn’t even a waiting list for appointments, I was told to come back to check if any appointments were opening up for three months time- and both times was told to come back again. GP won’t put me on pill due to risk and depot caused a reaction. DH refusing vasectomy as he knows someone who suffers chronic ball ache.

Lucky for me it’s a happy little accident, but I can’t help feeling this might be quite devastating for some women.

It’s not just my surgery. Two friends at different surgeries have just told me they have had difficulties getting an appointment too. One is waiting 5 weeks for hers and the other is on a waiting list for when an appointment becomes available, has been told a 3+ month wait. The problem is with the high level of demand and the fact that only one person in each of our surgeries can fit it.

Nevermind the personal costs of unwanted pregnancies- they cost the NHS too in terms of abortions, care etc. It just seems crazy to me, but I guess it’s not a priority in the overstretched NHS.

MAny thanks Lymphy

surely for women to abstain then men must too??? uh huh...

OP here again. I decided to sign off the thread because I felt that many of the posters weren’t actually listening to what I was saying and I found it frustrating (and the personal insults- especially about my DH - we’re upsetting). I have no issue with people disagreeing with my assessment of the wider funding situation, but it got a bit too personal and many people were failing to listen to what I was actually saying. Eg questioning how I feel about this baby I’ve decided to keep and suggesting abortion - how insensitive can you get??! I actually don’t think I’m to blame- WE USED CONDOMS FFS it was an accident which wouldn’t have happened if I was on a LARC. That is a fact. I also feel I have not had access to decent information on contraception from the NHS so I’m not 100% informed about all options. I’ve just found out the local sexual health clinic is only for young people- and I’m not very young! So that’s why it’s not on my radar. Finally I just want to say I’m not blaming the NHS for my pregnancy- I’m saying the long waiting lists will inevitably increase unwanted conceptions. I think that’s a sad state of affairs in a modern society. I’m definitely not a journalist- I’ve a full time job in health care, young family and all day pregnancy sickness to cope with. So again, I’m going to be signing off now. But please carry on posting because it’s an important subject to discuss.

I’m sorry I can’t seem to do paragraph spacing

I'd love to know where all these places you can get a coil fitted instantly are, it takes weeks to get an appointment at the sexual health clinic here. Many of the clinics are during the working day. The gp won't fit coils. So yes, actually, I think access to contraception is pretty difficult.

Two of my gp fit coils and got an appointment ASAP.

Oh - my thanking people for giving their views (which I guess is why you think I’m a journo ) is because I like to think I have an open mind and I genuinely am interested in what people think about this issue. Yes I am disappointed in the responses, but I still welcome the views. But I don’t appreciate the posts from people who haven’t actually listened and jump to conclusions- or are just plain rude....BUT I choose to turn the other cheek.

We have a local FP clinic which only operates on Wednesday evenings

Blue im sorry for the assumption that you are a journo But i agree with you This is regressive and will set women back massively. And i think there is a good chance that single and/or young women may withdraw from dating. Eventually then men will notice And its likely that only then will something be done.

Nice to know im aggressive and random btw. #reddit

The coil isn't 100% effective either so the odds of getting pregnant on the coil are not that much different to other methods of contraception.

‘Why should we abstain’? Erm because you didn’t want a baby. How is it the NHS fault?

Coil is a lot more effective than condoms.

If condoms are used correctly I imagine they are pretty effective. Not 100% effective but then neither is any contraception, including the coil. Lots of women have gotten pregnant on the coil too.

Typical use rates are more useful to know than perfect use rates, and typical use rates for condoms are not super-high. There's a big difference between 82% and 99.8% - they're not basically just the same because neither of them are 100%!

The coil is actually one of the most effective forms of contraception while condoms are one of the least effective (but still much better than nothing/ withdrawal). People have been quite mean to the OP. Not surprised she’s off. What a lot of judgy pants. She is sharing her personal experience to illustrate a big issue with sexual health services. In my view it’s a ticking time bomb and we’ll be paying for it in years to come. It will indirectly affect everyone in society - even those who cross their legs and take it up the bum! Unwanted kids equal more social care, more crime etc. Some of you need an education in the purpose of preventative health initiatives!

Is it really that inconceivable that for some women there isn't quick and easy access to multiple forms of contraception? It's hard enough to get a gp appointment, never mind access the sexual health clinic here. The first time I had a coil fitted. I spent a year being shunted between the gp and sexual health clinic being given incorrect information and information being lost before I got it fitted. The only form of contraception I could easily access are condoms. So much for being able to take charge of my body.

YY PurpleFlowers Its basically spending a thousand pounds to save a fiver.

Nobody is suggesting coils are perfect, but them being more effective on a population level than condoms isn't a matter over which there's any doubt. If everyone used condoms, there'd be more unplanned pregnancy than if everyone used coils.

I had a 4-week wait for an implant at my GP surgery, which ended up being a 6-week wait because the only doctor who can do it was off sick on the first appointment day. Not too long. What surprised me more was that they only ever mentioned it when I asked about it, never at any other time, including post-birth check when the GP listed all the forms of contraception I could use when breastfeeding and didn't mention depo or implant or coil. You'd think they'd want to promote LARC methods more!

graziadaily.co.uk/life/opinion/seems-20-somethings-now-certainly-generation-coil/

Interesting article Helena thanks for sharing

No worries

You should have gone to a sexual health clinic. I had the same issue (also resulted in a pregnancy). The lazy bastards didn't even tell me that I could get it done quicker in the sexual health clinic. It should be policy for GP surgeries to refer patients to a sexual health clinic first and then offer to do it if the patient refuses.

In many areas sh clinics are being cut. GPs only fit larc if they have a contract to do so, otherwise they don't fit it