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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Advice on contraception for 18 yr old daughter

45 replies

triplets · 13/07/2016 07:45

Hi, my dd and he b/f have been together for 7 months now and so far no sex, she says she is not ready..........but! They are both off to uni together in Sept so I am worried the obvious will happen sooner than later and I want her to be prepared before she goes. She also has dreadful periods so maybe the pill would help? A friend mentioned yesterday using an implant as my dd is very forgetful and might miss a pill or two! I am behind the times now with all this so would love your opinions please. I don't want to push her into anything if she isn't ready, but on the other hand............I will worry! x

OP posts:
FreeFromHarm · 13/07/2016 10:31

I have HPV, had to have a hysterectomy , xh was and still is having unprotected sex, it is paramount. Thank you Titchy x

specialsubject · 13/07/2016 10:39

She needs to go to a gp or family planning clinic and get info on the options. The pill or implant may make her life much better, or she may not get on with it and need to try something else. She also needs to use condoms, she doesn't know where he's been.

Op can go along too as support if wanted.

HSMMaCM · 13/07/2016 11:48

DD had a long talk with me about options and had more or less made up her mind to have an implant. After an equally long talk with her lovely gp, she's on the pill. She has asked me to remind her to take it Confused.

Both of us told her condoms are non negotiable.

rwilkinson84 · 13/07/2016 13:42

Best bet would be to encourage her to see her GP before she goes to uni for a general over-all check up and to bring up contraception there. They're more likely to offer something like the implant or injection if she's forgetful too.

specialsubject · 13/07/2016 14:44

Grown up games, grown up choices, grow out of being forgetful. Set phone reminder or put the packet next to her toothbrush.

Sidge · 13/07/2016 14:53

I'd encourage her to discuss her needs with a GP, practice nurse or sexual health nurse, ideally before going to uni but there will certainly be opportunities to do so when she's there.

For an 18 year old that hasn't yet had sex I certainly wouldn't be recommending a coil as first contraception, Mirena or copper (I'm a CASH qualified practice nurse). I'd suggest an oral contraceptive pill, maybe the implant. I'd always recommend using condoms too for STI protection. My eldest is nearly 18 and I have drummed into her the need for both contraception and safe sex! Which includes consent, confidence and consideration.

FreeFromHarm She won't be offered a smear until she's 25 (in England) regardless of her sexual activity or what contraception she chooses. My eldestand will always drum into them the

CmereTilliTellYa · 13/07/2016 18:35

I will pay for private smear tests for my daughter, or encourage her to arrange them herself when she is old enough. 25 is to high I think, even if the risks are small.

FairyDogMother11 · 13/07/2016 22:16

For what it's worth, I was on the pill for three years from the age of 19 when I started having sex and it was fantastic, although I did suffer with mood swings towards the end of the three years. I could have tried a different pill but I wanted something a bit more permanent. I've just had the implant put in and so far so good. The family planning clinic are really great and they'll help her find what works for her. It's lovely you care so much :)

fastdaytears · 13/07/2016 22:20

Noooo to the Mirena. I had mine at 25 (but no babies) and was in pain for 6 months, plus all the other problems. I know some people have a much easier time but if that had been my first term at uni I wouldn't have left my room. Just sat around crying and bleeding!
Goodish in the long term but I wouldn't say an 18 year old should think about it.

triplets · 14/07/2016 00:12

I didn't know whether to look on here tonight as I have had the most awful day. I have been fast tracked the last two weeks and have a large cyst in my abdomen which I have been told today is suspicious. I have to have a ct scan and mri in the next two weeks. I am so scared. My friend Shabs told me it was ok to look at your replies. So here I am. I have talked to my daughter the best way I can, I am not perfect, I have never had to deal with these things before. I did at her request make her a doctors appointment in early June to discuss this but she cancelled the appointment. I worry, I worry about my boys, they are 18 yr old triplets as you might have guessed by my username. I am overprotective I know. They were born in 98 after three rounds of ivf, the third time using donated eggs. Born two months before my 46th birthday. This was because four year previously my beautiful only child Matthew walked into my garden and collapsed and died, no warning, no medical explanation ever found. So I worry........one of my boys is now in the Army.......I worry.........but I would never stop him living his dream of being a soldier. On top of all this my husband was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in 2008 when they were 9, it had already spread to his liver then his lungs. He is now in his 6th year of remission but has now been diagnosed with Parkinsons. I don't want sympathy, others out there are worse off. Just some kindness, feeling so upset and scared tonight and just want to see these three grow up and live their lives, something I never got to see Matthew do. Sorry.........its all poured out. xx

OP posts:
triplets · 14/07/2016 00:15

Matthew and my babies xxx

Advice on contraception for 18 yr old daughter
Advice on contraception for 18 yr old daughter
OP posts:
Fedupoftheheat · 14/07/2016 00:36

OP - you sound like a great mum. I'm so sorry for all you have been through and currently going through. All your children are beautiful. Some posters just like being snipey from the safety of the keyboard. I hope your last posts remind people that the people who post asking for advice are real people and deserve kindness.
I'm a trained CASH nurse too and I wouldn't suggest a coil either as first contraceptive. It's quite an invasive procedure. You or your daughter could nip into your local clinic and pick up some leaflets to look over. Then she will be able to make a more informed choice.
Good luck to you xx

PeaceOfWildThings · 14/07/2016 09:49

Crikey, triplets, can understand your worry! I can empathise too, and want to suggest in the gentlest and kindest way possible that you seek some talking therapy, to offload some of the worry, and also to help deal with this stage of your children's lives, to avoid a heavy bout of empty nest syndrome (or depression, or any other stress related illnesses). You sound worn out with worry, lovely, and I've been there.

If you have any anxiety about your children having children, or the idea of grandchildren, their babies, and so on, related to losing Matthew, then that is another thing to ask for help with. You can see your GP, or self refer online through the NHS.

(I'm now roughly the age you were when you lost Matthew... I am trying to imagine losing my children, then going through IVF now, and having triplets! Oh my word, what you have been through!)

Would your children have been having sex ed lessons and Personal Social Development talks at school? My DD is in the same year group and they've been pretty well educated on contraception. I think if you were to just talk positively about using contraception, sex as a young adult being a matter of choice and consent for the people involved, and perhaps buying some condoms and leaving them in a sock drawer for her to help herself to if needed, it would be a good start. Taking the pill is quite a big committment, and it is good to use condoms. (To know not to mix them with certain gels or lubes etc, too).

I went to our local Pride festival recently, and there were people there giving out condoms and information about sexual health, and willing to approach us and talk about anything. If you have a Pride festival coming up locally, it would be a great place to have a chat about it.

Dancergirl · 14/07/2016 16:06

Never fails to amaze me on MN how we are supposed to be so involved with our children for 18 years then drop them like a hot brick in their 18th birthdays as they're 'adults' !

Totally agree. OP, ignore some of the comments on here, you sound like a lovely caring mum to me Smile

LuxembergerQueen92 · 25/07/2016 14:36

Triplets - Ignore the jibes - I too have an 18 year old and we have a very good relationship in that we can talk about anything, just because your child turns 18 doesn't mean you switch off and let them get on with it - advice is always needed. Anyway, DD is in a relationship and has been on the pill for about 6 months, she also suffered with heavy painful periods and these have eased dramatically. Is there a family planning clinic local that she could visit for advice and guidance? My DD took herself to ours and the nurse was very helpful - she will find the best contraception suited to her.

Peaceandl0ve · 25/07/2016 15:24

I dont understand why a mother giving advice to her daughter is a cause for unkindness from posters. I thought those on MN would see it in the same way as a mother, grandmother, wise older female passing on wisdom or helping a younger person find her own wisdom.

triplets · 29/07/2016 23:12

Thank you for your advice and kind words. Sorry not been around, having a scary time atm with my health, being fast tracked as I have a very large ovarian cyst which has "hard matter" in it. Had a ct last Sun and got to have an mri next Mon. Feeling worried :( As for my dd, she has spoken to her boyfriends mum also which is fine with me. So now the decision is hers. xx

OP posts:
shabbs · 29/07/2016 23:52

Here if you need to gab Trips xxxx

PickAChew · 29/07/2016 23:53

At 18, she's an adult and realy does need to do her own research.

Do you even know she hasn't done so?

PickAChew · 29/07/2016 23:58

And sorry - realised now that it's an older thread and has moved on. The best you can do for your DD, at this stage is to support her in educating herself and learning how to have dominion over her own body. The opinion she forms of what she needs may not be the same as yours, though.

Hopefully, your cyst is something easily excisable wit no long term effects.

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