Do you use a non-hormonal method of contraception?? Would you like to discuss it??

[Aimsmum]

Message withdrawn

Natural family planning? Sterilisation?

What about a diapragm?
Never used one myself but sort of thinking of it...

Message withdrawn

have you seen that machine from boots that tells you when you're fertile by weeing on a stick I can't remember what it's called sorry, it's quite expensive initally, my friend says it's great for when you don't want to be pregnant and great when you do!

read about the coil, i've got one, it's ok

How old are you, Aimsmum? GP said my risk of getting pregnant on diaphgram (at my advanced years, over 35) was no higher than a 20 yr old's risk of getting pregnant on the pill (taken correctly).

Message withdrawn

Mmm... you have to be disciplined about using them, can interupt the flow of proceedings. But miles better than condoms (yuck).

I use a diaphragm.

I love it!

You need to be very comfortable and familiar w/your body, though.

I'm 35, also, and not very fertile.

I hate condoms. So does DH, thankfully.

We've been playing russian roulette for 9 years, excluding when we were trying for the boys but its worked!

We've also used w/drawal w/success.

I do not fall pregnant easily, and now as I'm 35 I'll bet I'm even less fertile.

Really useful link on the IUD here

Message withdrawn

I'd go with the coil any day.
I fell pregnant using a diaphragm, though...

My periods are short and light, even with a coil in, too.

I don't like the idea of a coil in situ in my body.

I have other issues w/how it works I don't really care to discuss.

Some do find they have longer, heavier periods and greater PMT w/it, so do speak to your healthcare practitioner if you chose to go w/this option.

Message withdrawn

Be warned, Aims. They do a MAJOR hard sell of the Mirena coil at them. MAJOR.

Must be getting a discount on them or something.

I tried the mini-pill instead to see how I did on progesten.

So glad I did, b/c it was an unmitigated disaster for me and at least w/the pill I didn't have some foreign body shoved up my yin yang, secreting hormone.

I could just stop taking it.

Message withdrawn

expatinscotland, I agree with you about the coil that's why we opted against it, also one of my friends had a horrendous infection with hers, needed emergency surgery and was quite sick (sorry horror story I know...) I've had a flash of inspiration, the thing I was on about last night is called persona, it works like the rythmn method except is a little more reliable in that it picks up hormone levels in your body when then they're actually there (rather than just when they should be) don't forget women have been using the rythmn method for years..

Quick question, if you're so pregnancy phobic are you sure you want more children? would sterilisation be the best option? Hope this doesn't offend, am just curious really.

Message withdrawn

Ah, I seeeee...... you're in the same pickle I was, dh hates condoms, I'm too sensitive to hormonal methods, coil is just not an option, every time I enquired about the diaphragm Drs etc put me off, not v helpful really, so we've got 3 kids in 4 years! First was conceived after 2 months together! and I had just come out of a five year relationship, quite a whirlwind, we're married now and perfectly happy though! oh and p.s he's getting the snip next month! Good luck with you! Hope you find something suitable!

Hey Aimsmum.

I had an unexpected but not unwelcome pregnancy 3 years after coming off the combined pill. I had put so much weight on and was wearing size 22/24, we went on holiday and I couldn't be arsed to ferry my pills with me. We were using the rythmn method but what do you call people who practise the rythmn method?

A) Parents

So I had a coil fitted 3 mths after DS's birth, however I am still not sure if I trust it due to the number of people who told me that x had a baby on one and because I feel so remote from it...as I'm not activley popping a pill or using a condom I am not activley involved in my contraceptive choice. I usually use a condom too, no harm in being safe

ATM I'm panicing a bit as I had unprotected sex with DH and I find myself being caught in those 'I'm not having another' conversations so I reckon I'm tempting fate.

I really don't want another lo and I don't want a hormonal contraceptive and I don't want to burn my bridges just yet.

So...fingers crossed

Hi Aimsmum, after DS I didn't want to go back on the pill as I didn't want anything with hormones so I got a non-Mirena coil fitted. I have been very happy with it. I had it for about 2 years and then had it removed to get pregnant again. I did notice my periods were heavier which is a pain but they weren't more painful and friends have said that their periods were heavier after having children anyway. I would recommend it. I think the instances of pregnancy with it are fairly low.

Hi Aimsmum. For several years we've used the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) which is NOT the same as the "rhythm" method.

It basically involves taking your temp. every morning and charting it and also taking notice of the state of your cervical mucus. Used properly it is VERY reliable. On the days that I am fertile we use condoms (probably about 7-10 days in each month).

TBH, since having dd2 20mths ago (incidentally, despite the fact that I turned 40 this year, she was conceived within 2mths as I knew exactly when I was ovulating!), I've not bothered with the temp. taking as I've found that checking the mucus is realiable enough on its own, as long as I err on the side of caution (Billings Method).

The book "Taking Charge of your Fertility" by Toni Weschler explains it in detail and it really isn't complex or time-consuming once you've worked out what you're doing.