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.

Can anyone tell me which London sexual health clinics I might be able to get my coil replaced at?
They did mine about 6 years ago now so I called for a replacement and a smear while they were there, as it were.

They no longer do smears - annoying but I managed to get a cancellation with the GP nurse so didn't have to wait 4 weeks. They only have 3 coil appts a week so you have to log on at noon on a Friday (when I'm in work meetings) and they say they always go within 5 minutes. I've been trying a month now.

So much for the Government policy that all women should be able to access long-active contraception. I can't even have an appt to speak on the phone and find out if I need it replaced given its definitely there. And private medical insurance doesn't cover contraception on the grounds it's readily available on the NHS.

If the NHS is having to give up on its offer to provide suitable contraception to all, then that needs to be made public so people negotiating insurance offers can do so.

@BlueKittens I'm just confused at such extreme views! Vasectomy to baby and you would've been happy with both?

I waited about 45 minutes for my coil fitting, from enquiry at the desk of the clinic to being on my back with my feet tucked under my bum.

You need to bypass the GP and go to the appropriate place.

Crispy, that baby wouldn’t be here if I’d gotten an appointment earlier. That is a fact. And that is all I meant.

I also said that contraception is the individuals responsibility. Which I do believe. I slipped up😉

I think this thread must be some sort of joke? Honestly words fail me. it is your responsibility to avoid getting pregnant and nobody else’s. Honestly

@LakieLady I looked into them and apparently the majority of nurses who could fit them have retired and new ones haven't been trained up.

@MollyMallyMindy try the Mortimer Market Centre and Margaret Pyke. But I think they have the same problem. www.sexualhealth.cnwl.nhs.uk/clinics/mortimer-market-centre-including-margaret-pyke-centre/

@Tumon

It is your responsibility to avoid getting pregnant and nobody else’s. #

Don't you think there is a societal responsibility to make sure that contraception is available so this is possible?

@endofthelinefinally so sorry to read your post- it’s a terrible state of affairs and of course your care and treatment is an absolute priority over fp. We need to put more money in to pay for better care for all- is happily pay a top up on NI if I knew it was ringfenced for the NHS

@MsMotherofDragons

There is contraception available. Condoms are available for free.

Incy, I don’t know where you are but where I live (NI) you must have a GP referral, a swab to check for infection so they don’t put a coil in on top of that (takes a few weeks for results) and a very recent smear. Then they made me go to a clinic for a pre-appointment. It took me a few weeks calling to get anyone to pick up that phone then they gave me my appointment for a month later. I spoke to the HCP about contraceptive choices (AGAIN) and signed a form and then they made me call for the actual appointment at another clinic as they didn’t do smears at the pre appointment place (WTF). I called for 3 weeks every single day they were open (3 days a week) until I finally got someone at a completely unrelated hospital (I called loads of hospitals family planning clinics simply trying to get anyone to agree to give me an appointment) who was coincidentally friends with someone who worked at the clinic I was to go to, gave her friend my number and I got a call back. The clinics phones had apparently been broken for a month (again WTF). My appointment was another 6 weeks later. The day before that appointment I got a positive test with an anniversary night baby😂 so had to cancel.

He’s one of the 4 best things to happen to us in the last 5 yrs.

But my god they didn’t make that easy!

I agree with sexual health clinics being the best place to go.
I'm in the Midlands and have one a 10 minute drive away, one a 15 minute drive and another a 30 minute drive.
All do coils, implants, the pill, even vasectomys! All with only a week waiting list for appointments.
Never been to the GP for family planning and it actually seems weird to me that people do.
More qualified and better experienced staff for the procedures in sexual health clinics.

You mention you used condoms but couldn't access the MAP. Unless a relationship involves abuse, in the event that one or both of you doesn't want a baby and in your case were waiting for LARC, you have a responsibility to find an alternative and be damn sure you have access to the MAP just in case your alternative fails.

Another one here damn confused as to how you can be so dead set against a baby you wanted your DP to have a vasectomy (i.e. permanent) but have a happy accident

at the horrible posts about my DH!! We are consenting adults in a non-abusive relationship. I’ve never been pressured into any type of sex. In fact currently I’m suffering with hyperemis and it’s off the cards. Also you cannot force someone to undergo surgery they don’t want.

Interesting to read the posts from people working in the services and with more knowledge. I had not even been able to get an assessment so I haven’t even got the advice yet on whether the mirena coil is suitable. I certainly got no contraception advice after last birth, just a leaflet despite asking for it (isn’t that what the 6 week check is for?). In hindsight I could have been more proactive about seeking advice outside the surgery- but as I explained this is my default.

I’ve done my best to respond to posts, but I don’t think many people read the replies. My personal experience has worked out fine- and I don’t blame the NHS!!! But I do worry for other women not in a good position and the wider impact of what are the result of LA cuts to funding.

motherofdragons interesting that you think this is a feminist issue- I’m starting to think the same.

Despite the level of criticism I’ve received on here, I don’t regret raising this issue.

Another one here damn confused as to how you can be so dead set against a baby you wanted your DP to have a vasectomy (i.e. permanent) but have a happy accident

Thanks @PoesyCherish thought I was going mad!

@Charlie97 probably because I get fed up as one of the many women who can't take any hormonal contraception to take The Pill in threads like this and conversations in rl.

The fact, as lots of PPs have pointed out, there are issues depending where you live, how far you can travel and how much you can afford getting barrier methods also pisses me off. The government dumps things on local councils as away to hide the fact they have cut funding for public health.

I'd be a bit worried about your relationship if you don't think it would survive a period of abstinence. You mind end up with a CS or a bad tear or just not feel like it when you have a tiny human to care for 24/7 on no sleep. There are plenty other ways to foster intimacy that don't risk a pregnancy.

I’m literally just pointing out the issue with family planning constraints in the NHS and that it may be contributing to unwanted pregnancies at a population level which does have wider implications. People will continue to have accidents or take risks, it’s inevitable.

I'd imagine this line of thinking plays well amongst the big welfare-state proponents who are always peddling the narrative of the helpless woman, arguing that it's difficult to avoid unwanted pregnancy and so on.

It's a convenient excuse in that it has a chilling effect on sensible dialogue (especially when you drop rape into the mix), people don't like to be accused of being insensitive to how oppressed women are.

@Charlie97 some people regard having any child as a blessing/good fortune even if that pregnancy wasn't actively desired.

Yes actually asked people when I was younger and was

@BlueBug45 you can still use condoms or non PIV until the cool is fitted?

I think your comment about a relationship failing due to a relatively short time of non PIV sex whilst waiting for the coil says a lot about your relationship?

A man that won't use condoms or goes elsewhere for PIV sex isn't worth trying to hold on to!

Many women can't use hormonal contraception does that mean they should be eternally single?

@BlueBug45 thanks for educating me about life , unwanted pregnancies and the fact that a relationship can't withstand a period of non PIV sex. I'll ignore that if you don't mind, because it's ridiculous!

Op...id be worried about your relationship if you that unstable your dh. cant manage without sex for a few months or uses another method. Not nhs fault re pregnancy. In fact i dont know anyone who uses the coil or ever admits to it. Is it a common method. Pregnancy is the result of unprotected sex which is the responsibility of the adults involved, no one else. Yabu.

I can’t make someone have a vasectomy because it is a medical procedure, although I have expressed that I am annoyed

You have the option of getting sterilised yourself

Jeez, use a condom and grow the fuck up. Or pay to get it fitted privately.

Abusive men who want to keep their wives pregnant are going to love this.

There are a few of them who would rip the condom off during sex too.

its called reproductive coercion and this NHS wait has just made this even easier for abusive men to do.