Contraception choices??

[Jayneypops]

Hi,
DH and I started discussing this last night. I do not want to go back on the pill as I had a terrible time with my skin when I came off it 2 years ago when we were ttc dd1. Also, im 31 now and have heard the pill isn't a good choice after 30?

Anyway, DH mentioned getting 'the snip' so I don't have to bother (bless him) but I think its a bit too final and im not sure 100% yet whether we will want a 3rd child at some point.

Im wondering what options are good? I was pretty bad at remembering my pill so something I dont have to think about would be best! I do get migraines very occasionally (maybe a few a year) so that might limit my options.

Any good/bad experiences with the coil, implant, injection, patch etc???

 

[phoenix333]

Stalking for other people's opinions!!


I have no actual experience as of yet, but I think I have decided to go with the contraceptive implant this time round, as like you, I am still undecided about #3 and the snip is too final. I can't be bothered with remembering to take a pill everyday either so wanted a more long term solution that I can just forget about. The implant last around 3 years which suits me fine, I don't think I want another before then anyway. What really swung it for me was that I read that the injection means that it can take up to a year for you to become fertile again after you stop them and that really put me off - I don't like the thought of that when I am the wrong side of 30!! At least if we decide to have another before the 3 years is up, with the implant, if it's taken out, fertility should return pretty much immediately.

 

[Kay_Baby]

I had an implant between DS1 and DS2. I really liked it, nothing to worry about or remember at all. It left quite a bit a bruising when it was put in and out but once that faded you would have no idea I have ever had it.

Also for me it meant I had one period only between conceiving DS1 and now, and that one was the one after i had it removed before we started trying to conceive again.

For your info it took 6 weeks to get my period back after it was removed and I then got pregnant straight away.

We are also currently debating the snip. I really really don't think we want another and I'm currently planning on getting rid of my maternity clothes and baby clothes as they are grown out of them but it is such a final decision we will probably get another implant before going down that route.

 

[tinkerbelle93]

I have an iud copper coil and its great! No hormones, no remembering to take anything and I don't have any side effects. I found insertion uncomfortable but it was worth it, I've had it ten months now

 

[mandy_grovie1]

I'm on the patch. It's really easy, barely notice it's there, and I only have to switch it once a week. Doesn't irritate my skin and I wear it on my butt or belly so no one notices it. Plus I can stop using it whenever I want. That's mainly why I picked it as my method of BC instead of the implant or IUD. Especially because there's a small chance it can come out of place. One of my ex co-workers had the IUD and it tore a hole in the side of her uterus and ended up all the way in her stomach. I just feel like I'd be the one in a million for that to happen to lol. Didn't pick the pill so I don't have to remember to take it every day and want to start TTC #2 again in a year or two.

I feel like you're still young to get the snip! Yeah you have kids already but you never know you might hit 40 and you get a spout of baby fever! If you're wanting that permanent or long term of a solution you should def go with the IUD, I think they have one that last up to 7 years?

 

[Jayneypops]

Thanks for the replies.
Mandie - that IUD story is scary! Tore a hole in her uterus? Wow. Hope shes ok.

I would prefer something non-hormonal simply because I worry about the effect it may have on my skin (hormonal acne prone!!) but then im not keen on the idea of a foreign object being in my uterus (coil ) for years. Im leaning towards the implant I think even though its hormone based. I suppose worst case scenario would be I get a bad break out again so have the implant removed?
Kay_baby - what did it feel like having it put in? Was it like having a jab or blood test or something?

 

[Aimee4311]

Stalking! I've been considering the copper iud as well. I had skin problems with the pill, though opposite if yours! It made my skin ridiculously dry to the point where my hands and feet were cracking and bleeding. As soon as I got off the pill, my skin problems stopped, and I was preggo a month later!

The implant seems so weird to me! I'm curious as to what the insertion was like as well.

 

[salamander91]

I had the implant put in about 5 weeks ago and I've been pretty grumpy since but that might be due to having a newborn with reflux!

The insertion isn't so bad. They numb the area with an injection first (it doesn't go in far because its the skin that needs numbing) and then they insert the implant. It doesn't hurt because you're numb but you can feel pressure. The most uncomfortable part for me was the bruising afterwards. They wrap your arm in a bandage, try to keep this on for at least 24 hours! Also make sure it covers the whole implant. The top of my implant wasn't bandaged and the pressure of the bandage on the rest of it pushed it upwards towards my skin so it bruised and was very tender.

 

[Dinah93]

I had 3 implants and they didn't make a significant impact on my depression, although I did feel slightly better off it. My skin was actually better on it than off. However the biggest thing for me is that it has left a bit of a mess of my arm, the scar is about 1cm square as scar tissue formed around the implant and he ended up having to make a pretty large hole to get it out again. I also have to have mine replaced every 2 years not 3 as my periods get really messed up (bleeding every 10 days then not for 3 months then every day for 3 weeks etc) as the hormone begins to wear off.

Edited to say I'm still planning to get another one after this LO is born, I was on the pill after DD and it didn't work for me, hence why this surprise baby is on its way!

 

[R_x]

Stalking x

 

[LoveCakes]

I've been on the pill and had the Mirena for about a year. Pill was fine but a pain to remember.

I plan to go back on Mirena once baby is born for medical reasons but would choose it for contraception. The insertion is a bit uncomfortable, like a smear but they get you to cough, over in seconds though. The whole thing (they showed me) is thinner than a pencil. I had spotting for a few weeks (but I have lining issues) then no periods until removal. Considering I had horrendous periods even on the pill it was like a miracle.

Also once it's out you are fertile straight away. Even with PCOS I ovulated 2 weeks after removal on Clomid for the first time ever and got pg on my 3rd cycle.

The story above is scary but people always remember the awful ones. I'm sure there's stories where people were allergic to the implant and reacted horribly. Your Dr would be a good person to discuss it with based on your history and give facts and figures.