contraception

[kymmy]

Need help with contraception
I have only used abstinence (before I married)
and breastfeeding.
I would really like to have a bigger gap between my 6mth old
and the next one - 3 to 5 years
I would not remember to take the Pill
i need something practical
I have heard of the something they put in your arm and it lasts about
three years
Anybody used this?

[LittleBoysRock]

The thing they put in your arm is Implanon, it works really well for some people. I personally had a terrible time with it. I was having chest pains, tingly arms and hands, vision problems, bleeding for 3 weeks out of every 4....the works

I wouldnt reccomend it but then again you might have a great experience with it.

Goodluck finding something that works for you. :)

[Chickadee]

You might also check out the Mirena, which is an IUD. There have been some previous threads here on it. Let me know if you can't find them and I'll dig them out.

[Beany]

Before you fork out for the Implanon, try Depo-Provera - the 3 month contraceptive delivered by an injection. It's basically the same stuff as the other one so you'll know how you'll react to it for a fraction of the cost associated with Implanon.

Personally, I hated it. It did not work well for me at all - sure it was an effective contraceptive but only because I never wanted to have sex. It also led to breakthrough spotting for weeks, weight gain and (allegedly :D ) moodiness.

By all means, give it a shot (no pun intended) - it might work perfectly well for you :)

Regarding forgetting to take the pill, I had that worry too but I once I started, I never did forget. It sort of gets integrated into daily routines to the point that you associate pouring a glass of milk in the morning with the unbidden thought of "must take pill now".

You can also just set an alarm to go off at the some time every day as a reminder.

[Baby Girl]

I was on Depo for a little while and was so horribly affected by it, scattered bleeding, nausea etc. I take the pill now and I make sure I take it (I set a daily alarm in my phone). I am going to get an IUD just as soon as I get round to it. So, I would recommend looking at the threads Martha suggested. It seems like a good idea and my mum had one and had no trouble at all so I am going to give it a go.

Also, breastfeeding is not a good contraceptive. You can still ovulate (release an egg) while bf and not necessarily get your period so you can still fall pg....

[Mummy2my5]

I was on the depo for 4 years before trying for #4 i didn't have any side effects or monthly bleeding at all,but i know there are some women that have tried it and they have terrible side effects. It works different for everyone i think but i found it to be fantastic as i was hopeless on the pill always forgetting it. I also didn't have any probs concieving after i went off it,it only took 6 months to fall with dd. After dd i had the implanon and didn't like that at all,i had break thru bleeding all the time and it was just annoying having something in my arm cause i could feel it.

[kymmy]

Thx guys
now i will have to have a quick think about all that
and the cost:(