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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

Mums saying NO to morning after pill shame

67 replies

Miranda5678 · 27/03/2019 14:11

Has anyone heard of the MyMorningAfter campaign? For the first time a morning after pill is being advertised on mainstream TV and in the cinema. They are getting women to share their experiences of emergency contraception and being made to feel ashamed by it – like this one by a mum who already had one child and was NOT ready for another www.mymorningafter.co.uk/i-took-the-morning-after-pill-when-i-was-36

What do people think? Personally I think it's amazing that such a movement is happening – getting the morning after pill always felt such an isolating ordeal for me. Interested to hear peoples thoughts Smile

OP posts:
MeAgainAgain · 27/03/2019 14:20

Did boots resolve the issue that they were charging twice the price it should have been because when it was agreed to sell it over the counter, the govt/whoever wanted to put women off /not see it as an easy option?

This is the reason you have to go and have that lovely conversation with the pharmacist, again it was to put blocks in the process, make women feel like did they really want to go through that.

These things were explicit, I don't know if they ever got changed?

When I got it, I thought that it was a missed opportunity to have some signposting about women's aid /rape crisis.

I think that omission is quite telling. They give you a leaflet it would be v easy to include that, but, when I went few years back, nothing.

MeAgainAgain · 27/03/2019 14:21

I think it is good people are sharing experiences.

One recently Woman was refused on religious grounds told to go to a different pharmacy I think that's appalling.

I think if you become a gp or pharmacist etc you should be required to cover all aspects of health.

Spokk · 27/03/2019 17:20

A pharmacist almost helped me out of the hell that was my life by talking to me about the pill. Not always bad.

Prequelle · 27/03/2019 17:21

I'm glad I've never had an issue. Boots and Tesco have given it to me for free, just a few short and obvious questions and I got what I needed.

ILuvBirdsEye · 27/03/2019 17:36

For free? No - I paid at least 20 pounds. Punitive pricing I thought.

MeAgainAgain · 27/03/2019 17:42

www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-40676534

Boots pricing row

Deliriumoftheendless · 27/03/2019 17:42

When I was at Uni (age 24) my boyfriend and I had sex and the condom came off. I went to see the campus doctor and she said something about having unprotected sex. I said I don’t have unprotected sex (we always used condoms - for 3 and a half years) she looked like a smacked arse and said “well you obviously do.”
I was furious and I still wish I’d complained about her.

MeAgainAgain · 27/03/2019 17:43

Mine was £20 + some years ago
Maybe rules have changed or free on prescription?

MeAgainAgain · 27/03/2019 17:44

Read the link - disgusting comments from boots

Prequelle · 27/03/2019 17:51

meagain The morning after pill is free in some pharmacies if you ask but you have to answer some questions because it's not you as an individual taking it (as you are when buying it) it's you being supplied and prescribed it as a PGD medication (so responsibility lies with the pharmacist).

ILuvBirdsEye · 27/03/2019 17:59

Should've gone to Tesco's.

Jackshouse · 27/03/2019 19:00

I really don’t understand why it is not free. It’s cost the NHS approx £1500 for an uncomplicated birth without problems, this excludes antenatal care and does not even begin to consider the costs to the government of being up a child (health care and education).

Access to contraception should be much easier. We have come a long way from the 60s when my Mum was only prescribed the pill when she proved she was getting married and it was not something that people discussed but now we seem to be going backwards.

QforCucumber · 27/03/2019 19:06

I got it free from a local pharmacy when ds was about 10 weeks old. Pharmacist was absolutely lovely, took me into a side room to chat and was so much help when I was feeling a bit crap.

Gingerkittykat · 27/03/2019 19:12

I was treated like a naughty child when I needed the morning after pill in the past, anything that lets girl and women know it is an option is a good thing.

Is it free for any groups in England? The cost could be a significant barrier for younger women (thinking over 16 but still at school), students, and those on very low incomes.

ThatFalseEquivalenceTho · 27/03/2019 19:15

I’ve needed it multiple times over the last 16 years and never had an issue. Boots own brand was £12 last year when I used it. The Ella One was £35 but I’d been away, couldn’t get to a pharmacy and needed the extended time frame.

TheFlis12345 · 27/03/2019 19:19

A few years ago, Superdrug told me I would have to pay if I took it away with me, but if I took it in a side room in the branch with a pharmacist it was free.

NC4Now · 27/03/2019 19:23

I didn’t have to pay but I had to take it in front of them, and answer questions.

Spaceunicorn6789 · 27/03/2019 19:27

I went to a chemist and was told I was too fat for one pill and needed two but she wasn't licensed to prescribe two. Great I thought I'm going to end up with an unwanted child because of you're insurance?!

Went to the other chemist (same company) who said the other pharmacist was wrong and I could have the one tablet?! Wasted an hour and a half of my life.

butteryellow · 27/03/2019 20:10

I went to Tesco after an accident with DP (split condom) - since I'm pushing 40, and with 2 kids already I just strode up and asked for it in a clear voice - was happy to answer questions there and then (we were late to pick kids up from MIL), but the young pharmacist seemed more embarrassed than me, and ushered me into a little store room to answer the questions and then charged me about 35 quid.

I have to say the experience of the pill itself wasn't very pleasant, so we've been extra careful since!

Barracker · 27/03/2019 22:48

Wtf is the "free if we watch you take it" for?
Because women are untrustworthy?
Because an extra level of humiliation is warranted?
Because if you took it away you might change your mind?
Or give it to someone else?
Because we might swallow wrong without supervision?
Do they make you prove its been swallowed by sticking your tongue out like so many movies of people wrongly incarcerated in mental institutions?
What?
What?

Why does this humiliating 'free if you submit to supervision like the naughty repentant girl, pay for the privilege of dignity' two tier pricing system exist?

GerryblewuptheER · 27/03/2019 23:01

I had to take it a couple of times. Two completely different experiences.

First time, arrived at a closed clinic having been directed by a hospital reception as apparently they didnt stock it but seemed to enjoy making it hard for me tbh Hmm

Lady at the clinic absolutely lovely I answered questions and she gave me pill and some more condoms.

Second time another family planning clinic who treated me like an inconvenience . Were plain rude and made a point of telling the waiting room I was over 21.How the hell was I supposed to know that particular day was an under 21 day. It was hardly advertised. Gave it to me however made me take the first one there and then for added humiliation.

They have no idea what's happened to the women who show up. People tell all sorts of lies to cover up what really happened to them. Some of which will he bloody horrific so some compassion and less judgement would go a long way.

snop · 27/03/2019 23:25

We had a mishap with condoms once and I went to Asda early before 9am as I was panicking, pharmacist refused to sell me it because of his religion, to say I was fuming is an understatement. I went to get a coil the same night and told the nurse about what had happened. She said she was going to report him

Prequelle · 28/03/2019 06:55

barac pharmacist friends have said that it's because it has been given as a patient group directive. The pharmacist has assessed that it is right for you, based on your circumstances, has given council, and by law has to record exactly who took it and when. has a responsibility to ensure it's taken by them. It's different if it's bought. There's no onus on the pharmacist as they're not involved in prescribing it.

You mention 'giving it to someone else'. I used to work at Brook Centre and there used to be a LOT of people who came in for other people to get MAP. I'm sure you can see how this would be dangerous. Or misused.

The MAP can be given to someone as young as 13 via PGD so I do think it's important to ensure they've taken it.

That's how it was explained to me anyway. And I can see where they're coming from. I don't PGD medicine unless I know the patient I've assessed it as being fit for is the one taking it as another patient could have contraindications that prove fatal.

I guess it's a tricky one because it is rather paternalistic but a lot of things in healthcare are for good reason.

sagradafamiliar · 28/03/2019 07:09

I went for it once, I was about 23. The nurse was only stopped short of wagging her finger at me whilst she told me off, said she could 'only do this once, I don't want to see you here again for this' and said something about the cost being a pressure on the NHS and how it's only a last resort- like I'd just gone and got one for a day out!

Prequelle · 28/03/2019 07:20

Nurses like that have no place being a nurse.

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