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.

For all those saying they don’t understand how I’m happy about the baby. It’s pretty simple really. My baby is wanted now. Feelings change when there is an actual baby to consider.

I have just had to fight for 9 months to be given an appointment to be given a new diaphragm. An appointment which literally lasted five minutes and consisted of someone getting it out of the cupboard and handing it to me. There is a desperate lack of fp clinics available,unless you are under 16, then you can get everything free immediately.

My doctors didn't even do all the options for contraception as the doctor that does the coil and implant was on maternity leave.

My advice to anyone struggling to get an appointment with your doctors go to your local sexual heath clinic. Go on let's talk about it website and you can find all clinics in your area and even book online/phone/text for appointments. I waited a two days for my appointment. Great service and they done a much better job of putting my implant in as they do it all day.

@londonrach wow! I never said we couldn’t go without sex, that our relationship wouldn’t survive not having sex. I don’t know how you came to that conclusion but we like to have sex. We used condoms. I’m pretty sure that’s just a normal relationship! Also so is not having sex - if that’s what you both want.

Thank you IPChill I have bookmarked that for when I’ve had the baby.

"Most people aren't with abusive partners." And the ones that are should be collateral damage??????????

@Charlie97 well from your posts you are acting like you live in an insular bubble where you aren't aware or actually know women that's put up with partners who refuse to wear condoms, tell them they have to stay on The Pill even though they have side effects, have to engage in PIV sex, etc. and also see having a child as good fortune. Unfortunately I know, known and am related to women who have been in these situations. In my case I've always been able to stand up for myself which is illustrated by the fact while I can't use certain methods of contraception I didn't have a child until my early 40s.

I've just checked sexual health/family planning clinics in my area, and I'm quite shocked.

There is a clinic in the nearest town, but that is only for U25s. The nearest ones for adults over 25 are 14, 8 and 17 miles away. That's not too bad if a) you can get an appointment and b) you've got your own transport. The nearest one is virtually impossible to access by public transport and the other two are 2 buses or a bus and a train away, and the nearer of those will cost £11 in bus fares.

I had no idea (13 years post-menopause, so not an issue for me lol) things had got so bad. Marie Stopes must be turning in her grave.

Wow HideandGo I’m surprised you had the energy to keep going with your contraception quest. Clearly you’re little one was meant to be. You’re happy little accident!!

Err your! Epic grammar fail

I think every woman should take responsibility. No immediate appointments .. then no sex!

Why is it the right responsibility of the NHS to ensure you are not pregnant?

@BlueBug45 your first post did not read about abusive relationships, you stated that if you wanted to stay in a relationship then taking PIV sex off the cards would jeopardise this and you are now saying your relative has the issue about non piv sex, yet previously you were talking about your inability to take hormonal contraception?

Stop changing the goal posts.......

Current government policy is that women should have timely access to long term contraception. 7 months is not in any way timely. Sure using condoms is possible but they are one of the riskiest methods of contraception. Women ending up having abortions they didn’t want or pregnancies they weren’t expecting because they can’t access appropriate contraception should NOT be a thing in 2018. Telling women that they can’t have sex without wanting children because they can’t access appropriate contraception is also hugely regressive. Sorry about lack of paragraphs, phone being a pain.

Lakielady that’s not great is it? I’m glad I started this post to highlight the issue, despite people misunderstanding my point and levelling personal insults at me and my DH.

Hideandgo the rigmarole you’ve been through sounds utterly fucking bonkers! I’m in Yorkshire, not a particularly metropolitan part of it either. I turned up and I was triaged by a nurse, medical history and BP taken. I went out to the waiting room for twenty odd minutes, then into the room with the doctor. Double check of medical history, explanation of procedure and risks and so on, then onto the bed for fitting. They did swabs as part of it and the results (clear) came back a week or so later. Under an hour and all done. If a shitty city like mine can get this right I’m not sure why other, more solvent, PCTs can’t.

Thank you Nacreus this is my view and I thought would be a widespread view but clearly I’m mistaken! Quite taken aback by the replies on here and it’s been a great eye opener to me!

Bkuekittens.. Can you explain a time line for me as I am really struggling to believe your ccg have 7 month waits for coils.

My marriage is sexless largely due to DHs health but i have never felt so relieved about this especially after seeing the attitudes on this thread. Im also childfree by choice so would be too nervous to just use condoms just on their own. Lakie im 45 so not to far away from the menopause. Ive never felt so lucky to be in a sexless marriage as i do at this moment. Nac i agree The attitudes on here are regressive.

Nacerous... The op had access to contraception... Condoms, diagrams, her husband could have had a vasectomy, map can be bought over the counter. She did not have access to her contraception of choice in the time frame she found acceptable.. That is different to saying she did not have timely access to contraception full stop

This was in the news fairly recently

Given that the NHS provides cradle to grave healthcare and covers the costs of abortions and maternity care, while you should be taking some responsibility (notwithstanding that lots of women can't refuse PIV) it's a very short sighted approach not to be funding speedy LARC access. We know this is what works best at preventing unwanted pregnancy. So women who want them not being able to get them probably will cause more unwanted pregnancies, yes, simply because women using LARC are less likely to conceive. You lower the number of women who don't want to get pregnant and who aren't using LARC, you increase the number of unwanted pregnancies. The costs of which will be borne by the NHS in one way or another. It's in all of our interests to ensure women who want coils can get them promptly.

YY Stealth There was also a discussion about it on the Feminism board a while back.

@MsMotherOfDragons
In my area the clinic is family planning and sexual health screening it is open every week day between certain hours and it's a open doors policy.
No appointment necessary just turn up and wait your turn. It's the same in my 2 local boroughs also so I assumed it would be the same across the country.
There are no waiting lists no appointments given over the phone unless it's a call back appointment for something.

Got to pick DC up from nursery so I’ve no more time for mumsnet, but it’s been interesting reading your replies. Thanks to everyone for sharing their views- very enlightening about women’s views of the value/ right of access to long term family planning services. Bye bye!

a postcode lottery then