Preventing pregnancy....
Find a Conversation
Preventing pregnancy....
| Wed, 09-01-2010 - 4:19pm |
I know this might not be the right place to post, but I have no idea where to even look.... I am 40 and just had my last baby four weeks ago. My husband said he'd get a vasectomy when we found out I was pregnant, but now, 10 months later, still no vasectomy. I'm wondering what my options are (due to my age) on how to NOT get pregnant. If my husband is not getting a vasectomy, then I'm not willing to get a tubal. I think I'm too old for the pill.... Any ideas? Thanks!!
Latest from the board
Memeber Support
Visit our Member Support area or browse the iVillage Help forum
| Q: | Where can I change my password? |
| A: | Log in, go to Edit My Preferences, and click the Account tab. Make and save your changes. |
Pages
Besides the two options you mentioned, the two main other safest methods I can think of are: stop having sex, or use condoms. Not trying to be a smart ass-- I assume those two may be out of the question as well (especially since one of the benefits of marriage seems to be not having to use condoms). I hate to say it, but the options are more limited for us older but still potentially fertile ladies. I have to have this chat with my OB later this month myself. Being a single but dating woman who just had my first baby at age 43 (basically an unplanned pregnancy, even though I'm thrilled with the results), I may just go the condom route (eventually)-- but you know how a lot of men, even men in their 40s, feel about those.
This is true, I have heard of that, though have never had it happen personally. As I said, I'll ask my doctor to review all my options and decide from there.
I have also recently been reading about Natural Family Planning, which is basically keeping track of your cycle and fertile periods and abstaining from sex during those times when trying to avoid pregnancy. Some people swear by this method, though I'm not sure it would be right for me, and I bet most OB/GYN's would question it as a reliable birth control method.
While the Catholic church might like to tout the effectiveness of Natural Family Planning, I like to think that it a better method for achieving pregnancy, rather than to prevent pregnancy! LOL
I, myself, am a product of NFP, but my mother always told me that it was God's plan for me to be born! :) So, I never think of myself as an "accident". That was in the 60s too...long before women were so self-knowledgeable, comfortable with their own bodies, had access to good information, etc.
And although my parents (and myself) are practicing Catholics, my mother's advice to me on my wedding day was "use birth control, Valerie, and I don't mean NFP.) HA!
Little did I know the joke would be on me since I married someone with low sperm count. BUT, that being said, since we are finished with our "family building" I did have a tubal ligation done during my planned c-section. Which BTW...I just got the bill for...wowzer! Thank goodness for health insurance.
But seriously, like Karen said, you've got be diligent and precise when using the NFP method or you will end up with a blessing as Joan did!
Very well said, Val.
BTW, I'm not pregnant (at least that I know of -- I tested about a month ago and got a negative result). Both relieved and disappointed (how that possible???). I'm scheduled for my tubal ligation Fri, 10/1. The cost of it is 100% covered by the government here in Ontario so no bills for us, thank goodness! : )
Pages