What's wrong with condoms after birth??

**LadyRaven** · September 19th, 2007, 10:24 AM

Had the midwife talk contraceptives to me at my check up yesterday and was told that I needed to think about going on the pill, or one of the many other forms of contraceptives they have now (implants, that insert ring thing etc). But using condoms till I wasn't breast feeding then thinking about the pill etc got me a big frown and I was told I would need the mini pill as well..

Is there something I'm missing that's bad with this plan? I don't really want to start stuffing my body full of chemicals straight away...

**krysalyss** · September 19th, 2007, 10:33 AM

I wonder if it more that some people might use condoms unreliably? When IU had my post birth contraception talk they also didnt give condoms as an example but when I explained that we had already discussed and decided on condoms as a contraception they seemed happy with that.

**MrsFabuloso** · September 19th, 2007, 10:38 AM

I don't see why, we're using just condoms....wonder why there would be a problem? Maybe just because some people get lazy and have 'whoopsies'? (Must admit we have been those people!!

)

**Junglemum** · September 19th, 2007, 10:41 AM

Celtic- that is all i plan to use, i wont take the pill or mini pill, it doesn't agree with me. and all the other options dont really appeal. That is all DH and i have ever used and we havn't had any unplanned pregnancies.
I have no idea why they would suggest that it is not an appropriate form of contraception, mayeb ask someone else's opinion. GP or something?

**BamBam** · September 19th, 2007, 10:42 AM

Weird... I was told to use condoms after having my first, especially whilst waiting for the Pill to kick in (I didn't breastfeed, so went on the 'full' pill almost straight away).

Kellie, you might have it - condoms do take a little more effort....

**~Raven~** · September 19th, 2007, 10:48 AM

Well many have conceived while using the mini pill! I can understand why you don't want to take it. I have the same thoughts about it.

We use the Billings method and condoms if I'm not totally sure what my fertile signs are doing. I haven't had a period yet so it can be a bit confusing sometimes.

**kungfubecca** · September 19th, 2007, 10:54 AM

hi,

I had them offer the mini pill to me 2 days in a row. I actually found it quite condescending that they even thought I needed it, but i guess they have to offer.

I felt like saying well i'll be abstaining for the first month at least lol, but then just said we used natural methods of contraception, that i had never used the pill, and never intended on using it. They didn't push the issue. probably thought i was religious, lol

**Phteven** · September 19th, 2007, 10:53 AM

Maybe she's had one break on her....
I'm sure it's just a personal preferance on her behalf so if you're happy using them as a form of contraception then go for it.
The hormones associated with breastfeeding can reduce the amount of vaginal secretions so you might need to invest in some extra lube.

**LadyRaven** · September 19th, 2007, 12:30 PM

Thanks all, I think I will ask my GP at my next dr appointment. It just seemed like the onus of contraceptive protection was solely my responsibility. I planned on waiting at least a month to 6 weeks anyway depending on how I healed etc before even thinking about jumping Dad2be (much to his dislike of course lol), then just wanted to use condoms and then maybe think about the pill afterwards.

I was on Diane 35 for bad back acne that I couldnt have anything touch my back it hurt so much, I was constantly vommitting, nausious, had bad mood swings and cried all the time for no reason, so went off it as soon as my back cleared up and never had a problem with acne since.

She (midwife) said she couldn't say if I'd have the same problem with any other pills and tried to push the hormone ring instead but I said I didn't want to be sticking things in and out of my bits and didn't like the idea of an implant as I like to have more control over my fertility cycle (e.g. if we want more kids I can just stop taking the pill, stop using condoms, I don't need to have something hacked out of my arm before hand).

We have no problems with condoms, as I said I don't really want to be pumping myself full of chemicals and hormones straight away. I thought maybe they expect you to use it to help with hormones after pregnancy or something and thats why they really pushed it?

**renee84** · September 19th, 2007, 02:19 PM

When I went to my dr for a 2 week bub check, she said have we thought about contraceptives, I said yeah we will use condoms and she sort of looked at me and had that look of disapproval on her face lol then said at my post natal check we will discuss something long term like 3-4 years since I already have 2 little children! I really ,like my dr but it's not up to her to say when I should have my next child and I don't particularly want anything other than condoms. So have ante natal aapt tomorrow, kind of freaking out what she will say when I tell her LOL

**Karina** · September 19th, 2007, 03:09 PM

I have talked to my GP about it when I had my checkup after Claire was born.. He said theres no problem with just using condoms (obviously as long as we use them properly etc) and that they have a similar effectiveness to the mini pill. HE said basically to just use whatever I am comfortable with and that he is happy to write me a script for mini pill.

**ShootingStar** · September 19th, 2007, 03:12 PM

I had my doctor say a similar thing to me when i got my Rubella shot. He refused to give it to me unless i was on the pill or had an injection (which i refused to have). So ive since changed doctors but i aint on the pill (had my injection 2 months ago now). We're just using condoms and being extra careful at certain times of the month.
I dont know what it is with some doctors... maybe they dont think youll use the condoms (i must admit they are kinda off putting) and will become pregnant again soon before your body's healed? Dont know.

**visitor1** · September 19th, 2007, 03:12 PM

My hospital was very 'pushy' for me to go on the mini pill or full pill once Chelsea was born. I took neither option....condoms were our friend for maybe 1-2 weeks and they were ditched as it was stopping our plans for next bub...which by 6 weeks post birth ended in our lil bundle now on the way

**Jayney** · September 19th, 2007, 03:19 PM

I am with you about not wanting drugs to control your body

I tried the billings method after DD#2. They have an online teaching service to help you learn how. I used it and it was so empowering to be in control of my own fertility. I would never go back to the pill. The site is woomb.org and although the first few months were tricky to know for sure it was soon very easy. I now have a method that is FREE and effective as we used it for a year with no surprises. Also No Side effects.

**StrawberryMumma** · September 19th, 2007, 03:29 PM

I get so frustrated with some doctors/mw's attitudes. I had the same response (a look of much disapproval sp?) when I said we were just using condoms..It is none of their business..I hate it so much. Yes, I know they are meant to ask, and educate where neccessary but it's not like we are 14 years old and have no idea on what we are doing. GRRRR. I am a married woman and a nurse and I think I can make up my own mind on what's best for me.

Celtic moon- I think your plan sounds great. You know what's best for your body and what suits you guys..not some stranger.

**LadyRaven** · September 20th, 2007, 09:48 AM

Thanks all, I thought maybe there was something I was missing, it came across like it was MY sole responsibility and I HAD to go on something straight after birth which I mean seriously, like I'm letting Dad2be anywhere near my bits straight after birth lmao. Dad2be is even willing to get the snip but I said no as this is our first and we may want more later on.

Think I will just tell my midwife appointments I've already talked to my GP and my GP that I've already talked to a midwife lol

**Schmickers** · October 2nd, 2007, 10:05 PM

The contraceptive question is a standard guideline for midwives - they are required to ask it. They recommend hormonal forms of contraception as they are considered "more reliable" than condoms or other methods - its a public health guideline. However, I hear what you are all saying, and we have always used symptothermal and barrier methods of contraception.

**Trillian** · October 3rd, 2007, 10:14 AM

When my Dr asked me after I had Alister, I told him "we have 4 children - abstinence sounds pretty good to me" LOL. Seriously though we've only ever used condoms until I'm ready to go back on the BCP, but this time round we will use concoms until we decide which one of us is having a more permanent solution