Being a bit lax with contraception!

[Crunchie]

Has anyone else done this...or thought about it...

I don't really think I want another baby, I've got 2 beautiful dd's, however I find myself taking appalling risks with contraception. I think subconsiously I want the matter taken out of my hands and to have an accident!! I know this is mad, I can barely cope with the ones I have, but a niggling part of me wants another. Perhaps its because I have 2 girls and want a boy, maybe because I always imagined having 3, or perhaps I'm mad. Having a baby now would be difficult, but not impossible, but I think we have made the agreement not to have anymore. Am I really selfish or just plan insane!

DH doesn't really mind them apart from the cost. And IKWYM Harrysmum about mess the next day.

Bozza - I think they might be still free at Family Planning Clinics

If you don't mind the embarrassment and winks and nods from store clerks, you can buy them in bulk at Costco for cheap. For some, the box could last a lifetime . . .

What about using the Persona system, Rhubarb? I think it's been mentioned on other threads. Then there'd be no need for pills, chemicals or 'devices' unless you choose to use them.

Bozza, you could always get your DH to use a condom as well.

We've never had a split condom, either, Bugsy, in fact I've never had a pg due to contraceptive failure, except failure to use it in the first place!

I would use Personal along with condoms, but it is soooo expensive! Does anyone know where I can get one cheap or have they monopolised the market?

Sorry, that should be 'Persona', the l must have just wanted to be there!

Cheaper than a baby, though, Rhubarb!

Can someone explain what is Persona? Thanks.

It is a method of contraception that helps you to find out when you are ovulating, and you avoid sex around that this time, or use a condom or cap (someone will have to give you the details). you dip a thingie (technical term that!) into your urine, and it measure the levels of hormone present. That helps you to find out when the most fertile days are. For some women it is excellent, but if a pregnancy would be a disaster, there are more reliable methods. It has a quoted success rate of 94% compared to 98% for condoms. It is non invasive, and if you use abstinence aound the ovulation days it is approved by the Catholic church. But you can only use if if your cyle falls within a certain range.

Thanks, hmb. Sounds like what we call here - an OPK - ovulation predictor kit?? Mostly used here for people trying to get pregnant. It never occurred to me that it could be used for contraception - Stupid me! Thanks again. I have never used one, but I've heard it is extremely expensive - and more expensive in the UK than in the US - for some reason.

I've just started using a Persona for much the same reasons that Rhubarb has.
I'm sure it had a leaflet inside saying that if you ring the persona helpline number and ask for info they will send you a 'information pack' including a £5 off voucher (okay it's still expensive but every little helps).
I have chucked the box so I can't guarentee that this is true but maybe worth a go.
Mine was £65 and will be £10 a month for the 'thingies', but I really like the feeling of control it gives me. (Hmm that makes me sound weird!)
helpline number is 0845 6086081

I used a Persona and used to lie about my red days when I didn't feel like having sex!! "nope sorry dear it's a red day" I used it initially as a contraceptive device but I found it a right PITA remembering to test at the right times. I used it to conceive and I'd recommend it for that as we conceived first month!

I'm thinking about the Mirena coil at the moment but like (Rhubarb I think?) I don't really fancy the idea, only heard about it last week so still sourcing information on it at the moment.

I agree with the non messy thing with condoms, good T Shirt slogon "Be a Man Sleep on the Wet Spot". But for me and DH they reduce sensation and we've had a few split too plus unless DH walks around with one in his pocket they tend to take the spontaneity away and finally I intensely dislike that "hang on a minute" whilst putting it on moment !!

great t-shirt slogan!

Cadi, If you don't mind a bit of fiddling about a cap can be excellent. You fit it before anythings starts, so there is no off putting break when the condom goes on. And there was no reduction in sensations for me, or Dh. Some women do find some reduction in sensation from their cervix. Used correctly the success rates are almost as good as a condom. You do have to wash it after, which is not for the faint hearted, but nothing like as bad as wiping up poo! And it is very 'green', reuasable and non invasive.

I do have 2 friends who got pg using the cap. . .

True, it can happen. Success rates for the cap (when used correctly) are 92-96 %. This is a little less than the 98% for the condom. The female condonmis 95% And the persona system is 94%. So the cap is comprable. But like all methods it has to be used well of the sucess rates fall dramatically. I found it excellent and used it for about a 2 years prior to having Dd and in between her and Ds. It is possibly not the first choice is pregnancy would be a disaster, but the same is true for all the methods I quoted above. It is just another method that some women find useful, and it doesn't always get a mention.