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.

Tricky one. You are responsible for the interim as pps have pointed out. Yet appointments should be more accessible. But its the same with many things across the nhs. As for the pps suggesting female sterilisation, if you are under 35 in my area you have no chance. I have seen 5 doctors and asked to be sterilised (even changed surgeries) and been flat out refused due to my age. Despite having 2 dcs and terrible fear over getting pregnant/giving birth again. My first dd was a double contraception failure. Condom and pill! Get that one! Yet they happily gave my dh the snip, he has had nothing but complications since, had more time off work that i would have done and is currently recovering from his 3rd operation in a year to repair the damage! He suffers from cronic ball ache for want of a better term. Can bearly stand up some days and the swelling, he was walking around with 2 grapefruits in his undies! Its an unfortunate state of affairs when L.A. and quotas dictate medical practice that is not a one size fits all.

"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" Well done to the regressive posters

sorry my Return button isnt working.

@HelenaDove I really don't understand your posts? What are you actually saying?

well that phrase sounds like thanking someone for confirming that women arent too bothered about these cuts dont you think,

@HelenaDove I really do. It u dears tank, you seem very angry with some posts? So much so you're glad you are in a sexless marriage, but I don't know what's been said that would make you feel that way?

*it is clear that..... sorry for my typing rubbish

The attitudes on this thread towards other women are really shitty IF OP is after writing an article on how women arent too bothered about it some of you have gifted it to her on a plate And im glad im in a sexless marriage yes because it means i dont have to deal with the contraception issue or be vilified for it.

Helena not everyone shares your political views.

I got the copper coil fitted at the family planning clinic with about a week’s wait for an appointment. My dh was quite happy to wait the 3 months it took me to get around to making the appointment because he knows how important it is to me (and both of us) to not have anymore children! And this was after waiting a whole pregnancy with complications that meant we couldn’t have sex, so a year in total. No one died.

Inert Not everyone likes women you mean.

Surely anal would have been the best answer???

@HelenaDove posters pointed out that contraception is not one dimensional, threat there are various options that OP didn't want to use?

I never found contraception an issue throughout my entire relationship, due to changing circumstances we used pill, implant, condoms, no PIV (rare occasions if no condoms to hand) , diaphragm and lastly vasectomy,

No one ever vilified us, we just chose what was needed at that time. It was a joint responsibility in our relationship.

I'm not sure what your issue actually is with what's been said?

Women are being vilified on this thread for wanting the timely access to the contraception that women of previous generations fought for and you wonder what makes me feel that way. Fucking hell.

Charlie your access and choices wernt being hindered and restricted due to cuts. Nor were mine I had the Pill Norplant Depo and Mini Pill when i needed it. But its not the same now As this thread shows its now a postcode lottery.

@HelenaDove no they are not, they are being told to take interim precautions, like fucking adults! Or pay privately at a fraction of the cost of having a child.

For gods sake, we don't live in a perfect world and just because OP and her husband love each other sooooooooo much (much more than people in relationships that don't have PIV to avoid a baby obviously) can't get what they want from one avenue (GP) they didn't bother with a clinic or privately then it's the NHS to blame.

@HelenaDove the last time I knew the baby belongs to and changes the life of both mum and dad, not just mum! Far from my being a woman hater, you sound like a man hater!

Op while I agree you shouldn't have to wait that long for family planning whatever the method I don't think it's right to blame the nhs for your pregnancy. I had to wait 3 months to have my coil changed. 1st appointment was cancelled by them 2nd they couldn't find it 3rd time they did it. During all of this they made me aware I COULD get pregnant and were happy to prescribe me the pill to tide me over. I know you said you can't use the pill but they should of had a similar conversation with you.

ANAL Are you joking. "Hey women Cant get access to contraception Take it up the arse to please your man"

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3269920-Cuts-to-sexual-health-services-imminent

@HelenaDove "Women are being vilified on this thread for wanting the timely access to the contraception that women of previous generations fought for and you wonder what makes me feel that way. Fucking hell." I am horrified too. Really genuinely shocked and horrified.

Good grief. If the OP couldn't get an appointment for a coil insertion, why would getting an appointment for fitting a diaphragm be any easier? Also, we are aware, I trust, that diaphragms have a failure rate, on par with condoms? And the OP got pregnant after a condom failure? Or is it just 'reflexively bash the OP day' on MN? Silly me, it's a day ending in -y so of course it is.

P.S. the MAP isn't 100% effective, either.

Charlie YOU got the contraception YOU needed because previous generations of women fought for it Give your head a wobble.

Incy, that’s the way it should be! I’m now 3weeks post coil and coincidentally my DH got his vasectomy letter the day before I finally got the coil. He has to wait 2 months for us preop appointment and not Sure when they’ll do it after that. Then we’ve to wait 4 months for the all clear so I’ll keep my coil till after all that anyway. This time I asked about the coil while still in the hospital post labour😂 And was all set to start the 6 month process of booking it in 3 months after birth but the day I went to the GP someone accidentally told me one of the other GPS had just been trained for the coil and they were piloting a coil scheme in the practice shortly! I was her first patient😂 But still had a few weeks to wait for my appointment andswab results etc. AND then she told me they are one of a few NI practices piloting a vasectomy clinic starting this winter! DH could have got it there once they start up within weeks. Ah well. I got a last much loved baby out of the delay.