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General health

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Original poster

Contraception advice needed!

18 replies

JennyPenny22 · 18/05/2009 01:54

I am going to book my 6 week check with the doctor after having my second baby 3 weeks ago and going to ask about contraception but want to at least have an idea of what I want to do before I go.
My problem is, neither of my children were planned. I don't want any more anytime soon:

DD1 was conceived on the pill
DD2 was conceived 6 months after DD1 was born, was on the mini pill and exclusively BF DD1.

I Don't want to be pregnant again and I don't know what to do if I did! I don't want to rely just on comdoms as all it takes is a few moments of madness and all can go wrong, although we will probably use these as well to be safe.

What would be a better contraception for me? The pills are obviously not working for me - Maybe i am just extra fertile or DH has super sperm lol. We don't want any more children but don't want anything perminant done as we are still young and things may well change.

OP posts:

mummyfantastico · 18/05/2009 02:03

I have the implant in my arm which is fab and lasts 3 years, very baby proof!

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 18/05/2009 02:06

Coil?

Original poster

JennyPenny22 · 18/05/2009 02:07

Sounds good - Can I ask what it involves? And does it need to be "removed"?

OP posts:

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 18/05/2009 02:41

Coil. Implanon.

mummyfantastico · 18/05/2009 02:42

Need to have local anasthetic then it's like a big injection, then need a small cut to remove it. Itches a bit for a week or so but then you barely know it's there.
Also i don't get periods which is fantastic

Original poster

JennyPenny22 · 18/05/2009 08:02

oooohhh - Does everybody have no periods? Or is it one of those things you might have but won't know till you have had it done?

I am petrified of needles, and need to be pinned down even for a blood test! Lol. But could just deal with it if it meant no babies for 3 years!

Off to go and look at links now!

OP posts:

Original poster

JennyPenny22 · 18/05/2009 11:09

I am a bit wary of the implant because of my needle phobia, after reading the link I am not too sure about it! It also says the hormone can go into breastmilk and I intend to BF for at least the next few months.

BUT on the other hand, the coil seems to have a lot of downsides - heavier periods - mine were already very heavy and painful and seems it would make it worse. Also risk of annemia which I already have problems with (and can't take iron tablets).

OP posts:

mummyfantastico · 18/05/2009 11:24

I had the depo injection for a few years before the implant (including while I was BFing) That gives an indication of whether you are likely to bleed with the implant. That is an injection in your bum every 3 months though.
If you are seriously scared of needles the implant may not be for you, but if you are able to look away and pretend nothing is happening, it doesn't really hurt.
I used to have really really heavy and painful periods so to have next to nothing (a couple of days of spotting every 6 months) is amazing.

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 18/05/2009 13:51

I have a Mirena coil - it has hormones, which ordinary IUDs don't. After the first six months of erratic spotting, I no longer have periods. Or PMT. Others have different experiences, though.

mummyfantastico · 18/05/2009 19:25

I have heard good things about the Mirena coil but the nurse told me to rule it out because I'm not 100% positive I'm not going to have more children

Original poster

JennyPenny22 · 18/05/2009 23:44

fantastico - But you can have it removed can't you? I am not 100% either so don't want to do anything perminant?!?

OP posts:

FrankMustard · 18/05/2009 23:50

I have Mirena coil - wonderful contraption! No periods, no worries!
The only reason the nurse might have out you off is because it's expensive for the NHS so if you're likely to have it removed to have more kids in the near future, they've not got good value from their £100! (GP pal told me this when I wasn't sure about using Mirena between ds3 and ds4)

DunderMifflin · 19/05/2009 10:17

Watching with interest..!

DunderMifflin · 19/05/2009 10:20

Just read this thread about the Mirena coil.

Read down to the bottom of the page - it says it lasts 5yrs (and also the removal info made me feel a bit queasy but I'm a complete lightweight...)

mamadiva · 19/05/2009 10:40

Hi I got the Implanon implant in my arm 12 weeks after I had DS. Thta was almost 3 years ago now and I ahve never had a problem with it.

You just go to your GP or Womans Clinic, they give you a local anaesthetic, cut a little tiny pin prick hole in your arm and put the little rod in it is about 5cm long and goes into the inside of the top part of your arm, uncomofrtable when they do it but it does'nt hurt.

Mine will need replaced in October as it lasts 3 years but I am happy to have it again.

mamadiva · 19/05/2009 10:42

Oh and with regards to periods with the implant, I have had maybe 6 periods in 3 years they seem to be pretty much the same flow except no pain for me YAY!!!

Sorry if TMI but they do seem to be thick and clumpy rather than blood flow I have also heard this from 2 friend's though so seems to be normal..

Original poster

JennyPenny22 · 19/05/2009 10:44

So once it is in - do you need to get it replcaed/checked or anything like that? Or can you litterally go 50 years with it in?

OP posts:

FrankMustard · 19/05/2009 11:40

If you have the Mirena fitted, you'll have a check 6mth-a year after it's fitted just to check it's still in the right place and then you just check it yourself and can keep it in for 5 years, job done, contraception sorted!
DunderMifflin - I had to have my first one removed as it had moved position, and I hardly noticed it being removed, so it's nothing to fear! I've had this one fitted with no problems at all. The gp will explain what to expect and I'd just say to take a painkiller before your fitting appt to alleviate any discomfort you experience - it can be uncomfortable just after fitting and you mustn't do anything too strenuous afterwards, and you probbaly won't want to as you get some cramping like period pains for a couple of hours or so and a bit of bleeding so get someone to look after your children and take it easy sitting on the sofa etc for the rest of the afternoon! It's well worth it in my opinion, though.

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