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.

Why can't people read the op properly? I've had a beer and it all makes sense to me.

Our gp practice only gives appointments 4 weeks in advance.
My midwife told me I can get the coil fitted before I leave the hospital after giving birth if I have a natural birth. But it failed last time so won't be doing that.
If I end up having a section my tubes will be tied.

Well I’m blaming the rum….

I don't know how these things work but could you mention when in labour that if it comes to a c section you want your tubes tied? Two of my aunts had twins and induced, both ended up with c sections because they were too exhausted during labour.

Because the OP knows what she wants already? Why aren't appointments available that far in advance? It doesn't make sense for routine procedures.

Same. Surely you won’t want to have sex for some time following the birth? Plenty of time to arrange your appointment after the birth

Fair enough.

Tbh I doubt I will be wanting to have sex with DH anytime soon however that's not really relevant to my post. I am an adult female who wants to make an appointment for contraception and I've been told no.

DC2 was conceived whilst I was breastfeeding and now I'm pregnant with two babies when we only planned for one more so I want to take control of my fertility so to speak.

I've already signed the consent form for a tubal ligation if I end up needing a section however as both babies are head down I'm keen to try for a natural delivery in the first instance.

They want to know, but aren't actually willing to do/make appointments for it.

same as breastfeeding, basically.

@Namechangetime89
I’m impressed/ staggered that you’ll be up for needing contraception with two babies and two other children 8 weeks post birth.

literally none of your business what OP will or will not be up for. YANBU OP. Many women fall pregnant on the first cycle after birth so it makes sense to want to be protected from as early as possible. Infuriating to be under minded as a woman yet again.

Fair enough point! Just after my babies I was always asked about contraception at the 6 week check so assumed they’d ask op then and that is usually early enough as the risk of infection etc is a lot lower last that point

I think you’re massively overreacting. You’ve been told they can’t make appointments 2 months in advance. They’ve been running that surgery for long enough to know what works and what doesn’t. It sounds like 2 months doesn’t. But now you’ve complained so your curiosity might be rewarded with an answer.

No she hasn’t, she’s been told that she can’t make the appointment because she’s pregnant and needs to make it once they’ve been born. You’ve just decided yourself it’s because it’s 2 months away, or not read the OP properly.

In my experience the 6 week check was all about the baby, and I got barely a cursory glance both times with my kids. It took me 2 years post dd being born to get a coil fitted, thanks to a combination of post birth injuries, a truly useless gp, and a sexual health clinic that only opened appointments for 20 minutes once a month. So I don't blame you for wanting to get it sorted in advance op. Let us know what the response to your email to the practice manager says.

Quite the opposite.

The receptionist was happy to make the appointment for the 3rd of October until she asked if the baby had been registered at the practice yet and I replied that they weren't due for another two weeks.

If you have to wait just don’t have sex. I don’t really see the problem here. I doubt you’ll be up for it anyway with newborn twins and two other kids. Abstinence is the best method of contraception as they say.

That’s annoying, I don’t see why they can’t book the appointment.
Can you get it inserted at the sexual health clinic instead? I was able to book a same day appointment 4 weeks pp

I recently had a mirena fitted at 9 weeks post partum and the doctor said it was all still 'a bit mushy' although that was partly due to exclusively breast feeding.

My 9 week appointment was booked after my 6 week appointment - my GP said that they tend to prioritise post partum women, so I only had a short wait.

I had to travel around an hour to the sexual health clinic but that's just the area I live in.

As an aside - I've found it brilliant. I had no periods but wasn't sure if that was breastfeeding-related. Have now stopped breastfeeding and still, nothing. It's absolutely liberating.