Birth control question: diaphragm

[postergirl]

How long do I have to leave it in after intercourse before removing? I can never remember as I have reason to use my diaphrahm only a few times a year. (Name change, by the way.)

I think it is 6-8 hours, but I will check for you

This from the Marie Stopes web site

'The diaphragm must stay in place for six hours after sex. More spermicide must be inserted if you have sex again within six hours.'

So it is six hours.

HTH

thanks for the speedy feedback, hmb.

Unfortunately I took it out after 2 hours. And I think I'm ovulating.

I'm in a muddle about my relationship, too--and have been thinking about leaving. I'd like to have another baby, but a baby with dh fills me with more than a little dread.

Does anyone know how likely I am to conceive? Should I go to the pharmacy and get a morning after pill? I took the morning after pill once when I was 23 and felt pretty rotten. Also I have a slight heart problem & would rather not take a huge dose of hormones if I can help it.

It's really rotten luck. Lots of people are trying so hard to conceive and here I am, practically celibate, probably about to get pregnant after having had intercourse for the third time in a full year.

postergirl - they have now changed the morning after pill so it is like taking loads of mini-pills - something ridiculous like 50, rather than taking high oestrogen pills, so it is likely to be better for your heart and not so many side effects. You should be able to get it at boots/superdrug if you can't get to the doctors soon.If you defo don't want to be pg, IMHO the sooner you get the morning-after pill the better.

Good luck with whatever you decide

mummytosteven, saw your post on the other thread about minipill v. ordinary pill--and you seem quite knowledgeable about birth control. Do you happen to know, then, if I'm low risk or high risk for pregnancy, having removed the diaphram 2 hours rather than 4 hours after intercourse? I used plenty of spermicide. I do see your point about just taking the morning after pill if I def. don't want to be pregnant, but if the risk is low, I'd prefer just to take the risk. If the risk is high, I'll go for the morning after pill.

don't know about the risk I'm afraid -as never used the diaphragm. could you phone a family planning clinic to ask about the risk or look on the marie stopes web site and see if there is anyone you can call - or maybe NHS direct would be useful. If you are mid-cycle, would definiitely be ultra-cautious. If you are meant to leave diaphragm in for six hours to get rid of sperm, then if you have taken it out after 2, at a rough guess 2/3 of the sperm are still there, IYSWIM. Off the top of my head I would not say you are low risk - but that is very much a non-professional opinion!!! also bear in mind how long it took you to conceive any previous children as a rough idea. Going out for the day so will not be back on till this evening. Sorry I can't be any more help, and hope you find out some better information!

Poster girl. There is a risk that you could be pregnant. It is almost impossible to give you a 'value' on what that risk could be. The diaphragm can have an up to 8% failure rate even when it is used correctly. So taking it out early will increase that risk. The problem is that you are an individual and things like your age and your fertility come into play. No-one can give you a direct answer.

In the end the decision is yours and has to be based on how a pregnancy would affect you at this time. If you are worried then I would contact a doctor asap, since it is Saterday go and see your local pharmacist and ask about getting the morning after pill, if that is what you decide to do.

HTH and that you are OK

thanks, guys.

Postergirl, personally, I have never found the cap a good contraceptive - in fact I conceived dd whilst using it. Hope you get the result you want. xxx