How did you choose your birth control?

[Meredithgrey1]

Title says it all really. I've never used any birth control beyond condoms before but I don't like them that much so am considering my options.
I have an 11 month old DD and am not in any rush to have another.

I've always been wary of hormonal ones because I have anxiety and I worry about the effect the pill might have on that. I have quite severe emetophobia (fear of vomiting) so I also worry about nausea being a side effect of hormonal BC. But other than that I don't think I have any health issues that would rule it out.
Equally I've heard some horrible stories about the copper coil that have really put me off it.
Is the mini pill a better option?

I use a diaphragm and spermicide, I've got on really well with it. We also use condoms sometimes. Pill, mini pill & Mirena coil all caused really unpleasant side effects for me. I was fine with the injection but you can't use that long term. I wouldn't try anything else hormonal. I would maybe try the copper coil if I had to but the diaphragm and spermicide is working fine (both free on NHS). I have a new type of diaphragm which fits most women and doesn't need fitting. It's very comfortable and I've found it fine to insert.

Thanks. I have considered a diaphragm but one of the things I don't like about condoms is having to think about it at the time, and a diaphragm feels like it would be even more of an interruption. But maybe I'm wrong about that, having never tried it of course.

When they re-open, book into your local family planning clinic. I found they had the time to discuss your needs, medical history, previous reactions/issues with contraception and seemed better than my GP. For example, you can try a certain pill for a few months before going ahead with say the implant as its the same hormone. Some contraception isn't recommended with migraines, over a certain age, if you smoke etc. Unfortunately its often trial and error to find something that suits you.

I was on the oral pill for years, but due to shift work, found it difficult to take at the same time. The family planning clinic recommended either the patch or nuva ring. Both were excellent, as I didn't need to remember them daily, they weren't affect by diarrhoea or vomiting and just so much easier.

Check where your local family planning clinic is and when they re-open. Otherwise see your GP or practice nurse.