To be angry that I was just refused an advance appointment for contraception because I am currently pregnant?

[Alfreddo83]

Currently 35 weeks pregnant with twins. I already have two DC and I am 100% certain that I do not want anymore children. I had planned to have my tubes tied if I was having a c section however I am now booked for an induction in 2 weeks time so in the spirit of being organised I just called my local GP surgery to make an appointment for 8 weeks time to have a mirena coil inserted, as currently the wait times for vasectomies and tubal ligations are 12 months plus from first referral.

Main reason for calling so far in advance is because I know my life will be a shitshow for quite some time come the end of the month, plus in 2020 I previously waited 2 weeks for a "contraception telephone consultation" with the practice nurse then a further 7 weeks to have a coil fitted with the only (part time) GP in the practice who carries out the procedure.

Well the medical receptionist refused to book the appointment because I am currently pregnant and stated I need to phone back once my babies are born. Why? No reason she could tell me, just that "it's procedure in the practice"

I should also add that I live in one of the most deprived council areas in the country and was literally reading last week that we have the highest rate of teenage pregnancies in the country.

I also work as a healthcare professional in the area which only adds to my anger over the whole thing, what if I was an abused women who was taking a rare opportunity to make sure I had a more permanent plan for no more children?

Am I overreacting in my heavily pregnant state? Or is this yet another issue with the NHS being as appalling as it is.

You’re not overreacting, complain to the practice manager. How about booking the appt with a family planning clinic instead?

Most GP surgeries can’t book that far in advance.

Plus 8weeks is cutting it rather fine…you’d probably still be pretty sore and bleeding downstairs so soon after the birth. Too, what if you get a cervical tear? You can’t put a coil in until the stitches from that heal. Then it’s a wasted appointment.

I agree with the GP that you should book in after the birth when you’ve healed enough for a coil. On a side note, you could try a sexual health clinic. If you have a partner you’re a higher priority. My DD called her local one and got a coil fitted within 4 days. So it may not be the kind of thing you need to book so far in advance.

@DottyLittleRainbow Thank you. I have already written an email complaint to the practice manager. I asked to speak to her at the time but she wasn't available.

@Discovereads That's actually not accurate, I have done my research on this. Coils can be inserted up to 24 hours post birth (but have a 20% expulsion rate which I do not want to risk) otherwise it's best to wait until the six week check up. I want the app made in advance so I can organise childcare etc and as I stated in my OP I waited 8 weeks previously for an appointment. Unfortunately the closest sexual health clinic to me is 30 minutes drive away and the waiting lists are even worse for implants and coils.

Post natal contraception - they now fit IUS prior to DC from hospital (during a section)
They also now routinely issue POP and Nexplanon in the post natal ward

They cannot fit an IUS after delivery for around 6 weeks (longer if breast feeding) as higher chance of perforation

The midwives should be able to advice a bit more

Which sort of health care professional are you?

Your vagina might end up taking a battering and need recovery time. Makes sense to me to wait until after the birth.

Did you read my OP? I am trying to make an appointment for 6 weeks after the birth.

I had Mirena inserted 3 weeks post birth but want to the sexual health clinic rather than GP.

? But you’re at 35 weeks and we’re making an appointment for 8 weeks from now….that’s 3 weeks post birth? You didn’t mention an early induction….so you’ll have to forgive people using the usual 40wks when doing their maths.

@Discovereads

I am having twins as stated in my OP.

I am having an induction in two weeks time as also stated in my OP.

She did mention the induction. She said she is having an induction in two weeks time, in the OP.

It is accurate if as I said you get a cervical tear requiring stitches (which could happen), plus I read 35 wks plus 8 wks = 43wks or 3wks post birth as you didn’t say you were being induced early. So no way to know you were aiming for 6 wks post birth from your OP.

Oh, missed the two weeks bit. Sorry. But still that’s why I said what I said.

I’m impressed/ staggered that you’ll be up for needing contraception with two babies and two other children 8 weeks post birth.

I can see both sides - annoying for you, but isn’t this what they normally arrange at your 6 week check?

“Currently 35 weeks pregnant with twins … I am now booked for an induction in 2 weeks time”

it’s quite clear from her initial post that the OP is being induced early.

The OP literally says I am now booked for an induction in 2 weeks time, so I think it's safe to assume she's going for an early induction.

I can see it’s annoying but other types of contraception can be offered on the post natal ward, and this sort of contraception is usually offered at the 6 week check up anyway. So it’s not like you are being denied your only opportunity to get contraception. It does sound like a silly procedure on their part but I think the anger is a little OTT.

Yeah I missed the “in two weeks time” bit. Only human :)

I understand your frustration. It should be allowed but women are constantly told what they can and can't do with their own bodies - it's infuriating🙄

If they can't fit it until at least 6 weeks postnatal I can see why they won't book you in tbh, induction could take days. You may not have your babies the day you go in. Plus can you even book an appointment that far in advance? At my surgery the furthest they will go is 4 weeks.

Prior to the birth of my 2nd child I was offered a sterilisation whilst I was on the table (Csection), 1st had also been a C section but an emergency. I refused. Around the birth of No3, planned section again I requested to be sterilised at the same time and was refused and told that I needed to make an appointment 6 weeks after the birth to be referred. Stomach open under spinal block, it would have been so much easier, but they wanted me to go back and have a GA for a very quick operation with a young baby, I refused. Contraceptive failure and morning after pill failure lead us to baby No4, planned section but this time they pretty much insisted I was sterilised due to me being super fertile and the risks after so many C sections. Why do they make things so difficult?

I thought it was standard to bring up contraception at your 6/8 week check. Can you not combine that with the coil appointment or book it in when you’re there.

Totally agree with you. I tried to book my mirena post birth (last June) as I'd had one after my 3rd inserted around my 6wk check.

This time (10yrs later, covid, general shit show of house building vs services in my area) I was told to ask to be put on the coil list and they'd call me when I got to the front. I finally got to the front in January! 7m after my baby was born.

I think you are over reacting. Appointments aren't normally bookable that far in advance and quite honestly what's the problem to wait 7 weeks for a coil (yes, plus 2 weeks to get the appointment). Surely after having a baby, never mind twins, you can wait a month or two before sex?

I got asked several times after the birth what my contraception plans were. They want to know, but aren't actually willing to do/make appointments for it. They've managed to pester me repeatedly to go for a smear test during my entire pregnancy though 🙄.

OP, I noticed you mentioned vasectomies in your post. We were told 12mths too, then that none were available in our area unless he was willing to travel to a large city. He stayed on the list and within a few weeks he was booked in at a small clinic ten mins away. He had it done last week which was only around 3mths after first requesting it.