Contraceptive Choices

I was blessed (I guess) with EXCEEDINGLY high fertility.
My first child was conceived while we were using condoms (no, no mistakes were made). My second child was conceived while I was on the Depo shot (talk about making my worry lvl rise! I was sure I was going to have an unhealthy baby due to hormones). Also, that stupid shot made me gain 100 lbs in a year, which I still havent gotten it to come off and it screwed up my cycles for 2 years. My 3rd child was conceived while on the pill (this time I can say that it could have partly been my fault... I know you're supposed to take it at the same time of day each day... I wasnt that accurate. Daily, yes... same time? Not always). My 4th child was not conceived while using any birth control.
Now, he's had himself "fixed" so we dont have to worry anymore (we hope).
Never did try an IUD but have heard great things about it. With my periods being VERY heavy though, it may not have been a good choice for me.

To anyone who thinks that the "rhythm method" will prevent pregnancy: it's useless, go and learn proper FAM (the Fertility Awareness Method) instead of just guessing at numbers.

I had a truly horrendous time with Depo which has put me off hormonal contraception big time, so I have a copper IUD and am very happy with it. Incredibly effective, doesn't mess with my hormones, allows spontaneity, no space for user error and I'm covered for five years. It's a pity that IUDs aren't used more widely, there are a lot of outdated myths which get in the way.

Over the years, I have tried most forms of birth control. Like many, my first type of birth control was the condom, simply because it was easily available and relatively inexpensive. Once my mom found out that I was sexually active, she had me put on the pill. At the time, I liked the pill as it allowed for increased spontaneity and it was nice to both know when my period would come and the ability to change the start date was a nice bonus. Unfortunately I found out what playing with hormones does to your body when I discontinued the pill in preparation for my first child. My periods were screwed up for along time.

After the birth of my first daughter, I had an IUD inserted. Although it was nice to not have to worry about taking a pill or ruining the moment by getting a condom out, it did cause my already very heavy periods to be a flood. After about a year, I had the IUD removed and I was fitted for a diaphragm. Although I no longer had the spontaneity of the pill or the IUD, it was something that I was willing to accept. I will admit that the diaphragm is a bit messy to use, but it was nothing that my husband and I could not incorporate into our lovemaking. It also had a bonus in that I learnt that I could use the diaphragm during my period to make for ?clean? sex during the special time of my month.

After the birth of our last child, we decided that I would have my tubes tied. Finally I was able to really enjoy sex with no worry about protection or unwanted pregnancy. I still do use the diaphragm during my period if we are going to have sex as I have such a heavy flow that it would otherwise be very impractical.

i've been on the pill for so many years. i always end up breaking through each brand and get my period for 2 weeks and then don't get it for 2 months or i end up getting it every other week. talk about annoying. and the water weight gain? ridiculous. it hereditary and of course i gain more then i would like to. i switch brands every 8 months or so. the biggest annoyance ever.

my husband and i always used the rhythm method (though i always used condoms with previous partners).

However I recently found out i am infertile.... so at least we don't have to worry about that again.

My husband and I never used anything for birth control. Last May I had a Molar prenancy and was told I couldn't get pregnant for a year. So first we tried the withdrawal method. We had to get realistic so I got on the Depo shot and hated it. Now we use condoms and they are working out pretty good. But I will never again use any pills or shots for birth control.