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Teenagers

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

Handhold please - teen MAP

10 replies

incognito50me · 18/06/2023 13:24

NC for this, and I apologize for writing a book. It's just that I'm alone with this at the moment.

My DD (15), first boyfriend (also 15). Quite serious from the get-go. A nice boy, no problems there, officially together for three months but they were good friends beforehand. We've met him, she's met his family, they spend a fair bit of time together outside and at each other's places, no sleepovers (ha!).

It's become clear to me recently that sex is not far off. Of course I have been having age-appropriate talks with her throughout, which I reinforced since she's been with her boyfriend, as well as going through different scenarios with her. Firmly stated that I think both of them are emotionally too young for sex and they should wait, discussed why; provided condoms so she has them; set up a doctor's appointment to discuss protection choices. The doctor's appointment is next week. I should mention I am not in the UK and there are no legal issues with two 15 year olds having sex here, and hormonal contraception is provided exclusively at a doctor's office.

She came home crying last night - they had sex for the first time (if she's telling the truth, it was the first time and unplanned) and the condom broke. She and the BF then went and got the MAP right away. They paid for it together, it's quite expensive here, and I reimbursed them. She took the pill, but it is not clear if it'll work given where she is in her cycle... nothing for it but to wait. She came to me right afterwards and told me, asked me to please not tell DH unless she turns out to be pregnant. She wants a termination in that case, asked me which options there are and what the procedure is.

I told her I'm glad she came to me and that they did exactly the right thing, but I'm quite shaken internally. I've taken MAP myself two times in my almost 50 years, but have only been pregnant when ttc, was nowhere near sexually active at 15. Also, it's not nice to have this experience the very first time she's had sex. If it was a bit theoretical before, she definitely understands the need for backup protection now!
DH and I have discussed the relationship, of course, and both were aware it was likely to turn fully sexual, but I haven't told him what happened last night as she's asked me not to and I want her to be able to trust me. I haven't told anyone and am now shouting it into the ether...

I am meeting the boyfriend's mom for the first time in a few days. It's not my place to tell her, and I doubt the boy will. The school holidays start soon, a bit of a reset, and I hope I won't have to arrange a termination instead of taking her on holiday. I definitely feel I've failed as a parent, despite my talks with her, preparations and appointments. Of course, like everyone else, I have other significant ongoing stressors, and this is yet another thing; I have to be able to function to make it through the next two months, but I feel like crawling into bed instead. Thank you if you've made it this far, I don't actually have a question, I'm just stunned.

OP posts:
Snowdropsarelovely · 18/06/2023 13:42

I have no words of wisdom but it's good that she could talk to you, and know that you would be supportive to her. I hope everything works out ok. When is her period due?

Mumof1andacat · 18/06/2023 13:46

She's done the right thing by telling you and it's great she is able to talk to you. Teens being sexually active is nothing new. Maybe talk with her about hormonal contraceptives as a back up to a condoms.

purpleboy · 18/06/2023 13:56

You haven't failed at all, she's young she made a stupid mistake, we've all been there.
She came to you, she told you, that is a massive win in my book, she trusts you and that is the opposite of failing.
On top of that she already knows she wants a termination if it came to it which in my personal opinion is the right decision and I think it's great you've brought up a girl who is smart enough to realise what a mistake it would be to have a baby.
Just keep supporting op, there are so many girls out there that wouldn't be able to talk to their mums about this, it's a credit to you that you have that relationship with her.
Also she has had this scare young so hopefully she will learn her lesson and be more careful in future.

Beamur · 18/06/2023 14:02

Hugs.
She's come to you, talked to you and is seeking your support - you're parenting is good for this to happen.
Your DD is a young woman and made a sensible enough decision to use protection and unfortunately has discovered how contraception isn't foolproof.
Hopefully she won't need to do anything further and will wait until she's seen the doctor.

incognito50me · 18/06/2023 15:43

Thank you so much, everyone. You are very kind and have made me feel less alone.

@Snowdropsarelovely , her period is due in early July (yesterday she was on day 17, her usual period length is 31-34 days, so this could be before or after ovulation). I am glad she tracks her period and could answer these questions in the pharmacy. Of course, she has never tracked ovulation, bbt, cervical mucus, so who knows.

@Mumof1andacat , yes, I spoke to her today about hormonal contraception and how it might be appropriate in their case, explained the combined and mini pills and told her she can discuss it with the doctor this week.

OP posts:
JogOn123 · 19/06/2023 02:45

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

incognito50me · 19/06/2023 07:26

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Thank you.
I also have my doubts as to whether they used a condom and it broke or just got carried away. They were at his place, the condoms I gave her are and were at home. It is what it is now; I did show her on Saturday evening how to properly put on a condom and pinch the tip to make sure there is no trapped air, asked her to look at some videos herself.

OP posts:
itsgettingweird · 19/06/2023 07:30

Actually you've done a great job raising her.

She's being mature about sex and protection and very mature when it failed (which it can do).

And very certain and confident in her choices should she become pregnant when she doesn't want a baby.

That doesn't take away the worry but you should both be proud if the relationship you have and the maturity she's shown. Flowers

incognito50me · 03/07/2023 20:06

A happy update: her period came today. She was lucky, and also had no undesirable side effects of the MAP. I was prepared with several pregnancy tests, glad they most likely won't be necessary.
At the gynecologist appointment DD was prescribed a combined pill, which she will start taking at the start of her next period (as she won't see her boyfriend before school restarts here). I hope the pill agrees with her, but if not, she knows she can talk to the doctor and get it changed.

OP posts:
pambeeslyhalpert2 · 03/07/2023 20:10

Glad she's not pregnant. I've been in that situ where the condom broke and it's an awful situation to be in. Fantastic that she could talk to you you must have a lovely relationship

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