To ask about contraception?

[SleeplessinScotland1021]

Hi all,

Long time reader, first time poster. Looking for some words of wisdom and experience from you all. I'm 37 and recently gave birth to my second child. DP and I have agreed that we're very happy with two children and don't want any more.

Before I has my first child four years ago, and for much of the time since, I had been on the combined pill since my late teens. I always found it reasonably hassle free and effective. However, now that I'm getting older, I'm less keen on taking hormonal contraception. Even apart room the increased risk of blood clots over the age of 35, I've started to feel uncomfortable about putting artifical hormones in my body. And if I go back on the pill, do I just stay on it til menopause? It just doesn't sit well with me now.

During the brief times haven't been on the pill, we've just used condoms, but I'm not that keen on them and neither is DP. I thought about the copper coil but don't really like the idea of it, plus I've heard some horror stories about it. I tracked my ovulation when trying to conceive and it worked but it feels a bit too risky now when I know I don't want another pregnancy.

Could I hear your experiences of different methods? What works for you? I'm tempted just to go back on the pill because it's easier but deep down I don't really want to.

Thank you for reading my waffle! 😊

Could he have a vasectomy? That’s our plan when we are finished having our children .

I don’t like hormonal birth control and so we use condoms at the moment - the coil and the pill make me so over emotional and give me bad side effects .

Maybe something worth suggesting?

Why does contraception fall to you?

Sounds like him having a vasectomy would be the best solution.

Would your husband get a vasectomy?

DH had a vasectomy once I was done with hormones and the copper coil.

Another vote for your dh to have a vasectomy. That's what my DP did and he was fine within a few days and it's made life much easier (though you do have to wait for the all clear from a sperm test after a few months).

I have had pill, implant & Mirena coil, I wanted hormonal contraception because of PMS. My favourite of those is the Mirena & I expect to be on it past menopause...

I know some people have had bad experiences but my local surgery was really helpful, gave me info & talked it through with the doctor each time so I felt I was making an informed decision.

Female condom is another possibility as it at least means he doesn’t need to wear one

Vasectomy would be my number one choice in your situation (and I was, and it's what we chose).

Most of the people I know in this position went for a vasectomy. When one friend had an accidental pregnancy everyone else was asking the husband "why on earth haven't you had a vasectomy yet?"

I've just been sterilised at 37 after 2 children. Best decision for me as I'm definitely done and takes away the fear of accidents or meeting someone new and them wanting a child thinking they could change my mind.

Easy op, quick recovery. Highly recommend.

Vasectomy is the most effective, hormone free option.

Snip. My DP had had one when I met him and I'm grateful for it every day.

DH happily had the snip after our 2nd child was born.
That was 24 years ago.

I was happy with my mirena coil and will go back to it after current pregnancy. The hormone release stays local so fewer side effects, and for me it stopped my periods completely which was fab! Insertion was painful but that was pre-childbirth, I believe if you time it for when you’re on your period it will be more comfortable as your cervix is more open

I'm on the mini-pill as I'm with a new partner so can't really ask him to have a vasectomy just yet! I have found it makes me quite emotional, teary and anxious and I've been having a lot of breakthrough bleeding. I'm your situation I'd probably ask DH to have a vasectomy

Thanks for your replies everyone. We had discussed a vasectomy casually a while back, though he wasn't particularly keen about the idea. Might be time to take a more serious look at that as an option though. I've been through two births (with stitches for both), time for him to do his bit!