Oh my straight stars! Birth control advice, please.

[Ellen Forradalom]

I'm thinking my current family size--one husband, one child, one puppy--is just about right (meaning almost more than I can handle) and am investigating my long-term birth control option.

What's your experience with current longer-term birth control methods? What would you recommend? No, Mr. Forradalom is not interested in the snip right now, so don't suggest it.

[ZenLefty]

1. You know what they call couples who use the rythm method?

Parents.

:bounce:

[Bronco69]

2. The freepers would probably recommend

abstinence. :-)

[OldSoldier]

13. The freepers would recommend she got pregnant again

Freepers seem to be the "a good family is a large one--the larger the better" type.

[NewGuy]

3. I would recommend the vaginal suppository spermicides

They do not enter your blood stream so you are not messing with mother nature, and they do not interfere with the enjoyment. Of course like all other methods, it is not foolproof. Once your man is a bit older, the snip snip option is the best. It is not something you want to do until you are absolutely sure as reversing it is costly and not always possible.

[Ellen Forradalom]

4. With that out of the way, can I get some serious advice?

Please? Thank you.

[bratcatinok]

12. When I was 27 I

had one child who was 4 years old and was starting to be able to be a little independent. I also was going through a divorce. Based on my timetable of getting a divorce, finding someone I might want to marry, getting married and then thinking of having another child, I realized my son would be close to 8 at the very minimum. By then he'd be even more independent and I didn't really think I'd want to give up any independence I would had gained by his becoming more independent.

Sooo, I had my tubes tied immediately and I've never regretted it in the following 24 years.

[catzies]

24. Another vote for tubal ligation from me too.

I had my daughter when I was 17 and unmarried. In my 20s I went to several (male) doctors asking to get get my tubes tied. They all responed with, "You're too young, maybe you'll find the right man." I never did and the patronizing disapproval made me quite upset.

In 1998, when my daughter was 18 and still an only child (and I've still never married), I finally found a compassionate woman doctor, who when I asked the question "Can I get my tubes tied NOW??" said "YES!"

The best part is no more artifical, or hormonal, birth control. Ever. :)

[TolstoyAndy]

25. Winter time and the snipping is easy

back to normal in a week - no regrets.

Of course Mr. f doesn't want my advice but then no one does and I still can't stop giving it! :-)

[HereSince1628]

5. Abstinence makes the heart grow fonder

I think there are too many varibles to answer that simply.

[wtmusic]

6. Aw c'mon, have another kid

j/k... :silly:

actually Mrs. wtmusic and I were just discussing how much easier it is with two. They entertain each other. Just something to think about.

[1monster]

7. Abstinence works really well, BUT it makes for a very irritable husband!

and a frustrated you... :evilgrin:

Sorry... I couldn't resist.

[NicoleM]

8. I haven't tried it yet

but have you looked into the Mirena IUD? It's actually more effective than tubal ligation, it's good for 5 years, and it's completely reversible. It's pricey, though.

[trotsky]

9. Depo-provera (sp?)

My wife went on the "depo" shot after our 2nd child was born - she absolutely loves it. Mainly for the fact that it took away her periods completely (which it will do for some women). The depo shot has been available in Europe for a long time - its safety is pretty much guaranteed.

But don't take my advice - go see your doctor. There are tons of options.

[truthspeaker]

11. make sure to ask about side effects and read the literature

Depo-prevara is safe, but can have side effects similar to oral contraceptives. If your doctor is a pro and you are an aware consumer than you'll know what to look out for.

[NicoleM]

15. Haven't tried that either but

one of the big drawbacks to Depo is that you won't know if you'll have side effects until you get the shot, and then the side effects can be very unpleasant and last for months. And there is no way to undo it.

[populistmom]

16. I've always been scared of Depo

Some people love it, but I've also known people with terrible side effects with it. Constant spotting, weight gain, and secondary infertility.

[cally]

10. One of the best decisions we made

was for my husband to get a vasectomy. Neither of us has ever regretted it. Not having to worry about birth control is wonderful. Originally my husband thought like yours but after reading about the risks to women vs. men, then he agreed. :shrug:

Obviously, you need to consider how you would feel about having another child if something happened to your own. For us, we knew we would not want to have another child no matter what. Many others would think differently.

[populistmom]

14. IUD?

I had one for a couple of years until after my husband's snippage and it was the simplest thing I ever had. There are two types:

1. CopperT- last ten years, plus side- no hormones; downside- can make periods heavier

2.Mirena- lasts 5 years, plus side- reduces menstral flow, but has hormones (I believe only a small amount of progesterone and no estrogen)

Both are over 99% effective

There's also a new patch out which apparently works like BC plls with a combination of estrogen and progesterone to suppress ovulation. More effective because you can't forget to take it also.

[spinbaby]

20. Be careful with IUDs

I got pregnant once with an IUD in and it's not an experience I would wish on anyone.

[prole_for_peace]

17. i LOVE my depo shot!!!

i haven't had a period or pms in 5 years. i've also had no side effects but i don't smoke and am reasonably healthy.

[rbnyc]

18. Didn't they bring the sponge back?

The sponge rules. I would never go on the pill again in a million years.

Trying to get pregnant seems to work pretty well for me. :(

[trof]

19. Miz t. used an IUD.

And I am a poet.
;-)
But seriously, folks...
She used one for the first 2 years of our marriage.
Decided it was time for a bambino.
Had it removed and she was pregnant in 2 or 3 months.
Had another one inserted and we were good till menopause.
I think it was the copper one, but I'll ask her when she gets back.

I don't remember any ill effects at all, and I don't think she had any either.
Oh I DO crack myself up.
:silly:

[AlabamaYankee]

21. Tell Mr. forradalom to get with the program

If you are interested in safe and effective permanent conception control for the minimum cost, hassle and risk, a vasectomy is the way to go. But wait until you're absolutely certain since reversal is possible, but expensive.

[chicaloca]

26. agreed....

My mom had her tubes snipped, and she was in pain for a long time afterwards, plus the male one is easier to reverse than the female one. (But like AY said, expensive.) There are also a _lot_ more drawbacks for a woman having that surgery than for a man having it.

[bratcatinok]

27. I didn't have any pain at all.

Even when they sent me home from the day surgery unit there was no pain. I really had to contort to feel where they had made the incision to do the tubal.

[Beaker]

22. your husband should really consider the snip...

it's incredibly liberating.
and if he thinks he might want more kids someday, he can have a sample stored for safekeeping ahead of time.

[DuctapeFatwa]

23. Or adopt one of the millions who don't have parents

just a thought...

[aQuArius]

28. IUD! IUD! IUD!

I LOVE my 10-year, no hormones, nothing to think about, no problems and no more babies (I am plenty busy now). You should SERIOUSLY consider it.