Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be bloody pissed of at being treated like a complete and utter thick-head by this family planning clinic DR?!!! [Rant, sorry]

8 replies

louloulouise · 04/11/2008 21:27

I rang the FPC to make an appointment to have my mirena fitted - the next appointment they had was 2 months in advance.

So it finally comes up to tonight and I dutifully turn up at my allotted time of 7.30pm. Wait exactly 1 hr to be seen (which I expected for a FPC but was a little odd as no-one was called in or came out the whole time I was sat there). I go in to be greeted with questions re my last period (due on next week) and last episode of marital unpleasantness (Sunday ) only to be told that as I was only due on next week-ish (my periods are far from regular) he couldn't fit it. Apparently we aren't to be trusted to use condoms properly and I have to go on the mini pill and come back when I know I'm definately not pregnant.

Hello?!!! I've been with my DH 7 years and had 2 (planned) children and 2 miscarriages. I think I know when I'm pregnant (I do) and I certainly know how to use a freaking condom! If I wanted the mini pill I would have come and asked for that instead of a frigging coil?!! He then tried to 'sell' me the copper coil even after I explained that I have extremely heavy irregular periods and that I don't want them any heavier thank you very much.

The final straw was when he asked me to make an appointment for next week. Er, how's about you're booked up for the next 2 months so my next appointment's the 23rd December and I have to take this pigging mini pill until then so they know I'm not pregnant. He also said we should use condoms as well to be 100% sure . Then he offered me an STI test too (not so offended at this because they can't make presumptions about peoples circumstances can they).

It's just all so inconvenient, and I've been plucking up the courage to make this appointment for the last year

Sorry it's ranty and I probably ABU but the whole thing just felt so humiliating and condescending!

OP posts:
cheshirekitty · 04/11/2008 21:34

You can get your mirena fitted at your GP's surgery so you do not have to wait so long.

Do not know why he tried to get you to have a copper coil, as everyone knows they make your periods heavier.

Do not blame you for feeling pissed off.

louloulouise · 04/11/2008 21:36

My GP doesn't do it, in fact, he doesn't do much of any of that type of thing (smears, minor surgery stuff like sking tag removal etc) so any contraception/gynae stuff you just get told to go to the FPC.

OP posts:
cheshirekitty · 04/11/2008 21:42

Please do not flame me, but some Sexual Health Clinics fit mirenas. You do not even have to make an appointment. Just walk in and ask.

Good Luck

Am assuming you live in the UK.

louloulouise · 04/11/2008 21:47

TBH I wouldn't even know where to find one round here, never heard of anything like that that doesn't come under the banner of family planning clinic - but will google - thanks!

OP posts:
Sidge · 04/11/2008 21:57

Hmm, sounds like the doc was being a bit overzealous but when I did my family planning training we didn't fit coils where there was any possibility of pregnancy. We asked them to have them fitted either during their period or we would do a pregnancy test (but they had to be at least 14 days after their last episode of sexual intercourse).

Trying to get you to have a copper coil is daft though, especially when you booked for a Mirena!

In our area very few GPs will fit Mirenas. They just don't do enough to maintain their proficiency.

cheshirekitty · 04/11/2008 22:00

Try under GUM clinic. At least you may get it fitted before Dec 23rd.

louloulouise · 04/11/2008 22:12

Cheshirekitty - Unfortunately the GUM clinics for my area state advice and testing only?

Sidge - It's just bizarre that the condom (used correctly of course) is one of the most effective methods of contraception yet it's not good enough when I want to get my mirena fitted.

I'm really not sure whether to just not take the mini pill and fib to say that I have just so I can get this done? I don't particularly want to start a new form of contraceptive just so I can get another one iyswim, but it feels like I've been left with little choice and railroaded into doing something I don't want to do (and isn't contraception supposed to be about choice?).

OP posts:
Sidge · 05/11/2008 12:20

I agree - it's very bizarre! I wouldn't want to take the pill if I was happy to use condoms. Can you attend a different FPC?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page