Hi Mamas! I have really enjoyed this site and all the helpful feedback from all you brilliant ladies! My husband and I have been gearing up to start trying for our first this month. We have been anticipating the arrival of March and been doing all we can to prepare. Unfortunately, with the state budget, a teacher like me is walking on pins and needles until June awaiting next year's fate. This of course breaks my heart. I will not know the certainty of my job until June. Meanwhile- we are semi-sticking with the original plan in the sense that I will still be stopping birth control in order to regulate myself again (we also factored this in prior-to and realized it would take a few months for my body to adjust and be ready to conceive). Once I am sure my contract will be renewed- we will be ready to go. My question (sorry for all the background) is that we have never used any other form of birth control besides the pill. What is a good reliable product to use to hold us off until June? We are not fans of condoms- used a handful of times while on medications. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks so much! =)
Thanks a bunch for all the input! For the time being, since we just want to hold off for a few months, I will be checking into the sponge and have purchased the films. I also plan to consider a diaphragm for my method of birth control after our first. Thanks again!
I have used VCF (Vaginal Contraceptive Foam) and Conceptrol (basically the same as VCF, but they are individually wrapped, filled applicators).
Why are you concerned about a certain date for the baby to be born? Is it personal? You may be relocated to another school and they could be year-round (unless you're in secondary ed. Good luck with staying in the CCSD...I think you will be fine...worrying might be hazardous to getting pregnant. :+) I think since you are so close to when you want to start trying that you ought to just go for it and let nature happen. Many times, couples plan everything out(pregnancy/delivery) just to find that their body and/or child has her/his own ideas. I say don't let your job (as a teacher) dictate your "appropriate" plans! Relax, get off the pill, and let nature take it's course! Good Luck!
The Today Sponge can be found in drug stores, Target, etc. and is cheap, effective, relatively easy to use and doesn't require a doctor's prescription. It might not be the most comfortable for you and your husband, but it worked great for us early in our marriage and is ideal for your situation. Consider it.
Hi K.,
Get a book called Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler. It tells how to tell when you are ovulating so you can get pregnant or use it to prevent getting pregnant.
Hi K.,
I second the mom who suggested diaphragm. It's SOOOO easy to use and doesn't upset your natural hormonal balance like the pill. Once you get used to it, you might decide to use that as your primary birth control method for your remaining reproductive years.
Best,
S.
Well if your husband was soooo great.. then he would afford you the luxury of taking time off to care for your newborn child for at least one year so you could bond and breastfeed.
If one income is not an option then maybe you should be building up your savings account instead of trying to "cram" a kid into your schedule
not fond of condoms either so I got a diaphram. not sure it would be totally worth it for you as you have to be fitted by the gyno, then order it and for just a couple months, depending if insurance covers it it may be a bit of a pain and a bit expensive. That being said. It was exctremely reliable and I could not "feel" it while it was in place and it could be inserted well before sex so it never interupted the mood.
One thing you might consider is the Today contraceptive sponge. It is maximally effective for up to 24 hours, if I recall correctly, and quite comfortable and easy to use.
Lynne E
Hi K.,
Even though you're not a fan, condoms are really your best bet in your situation. I don't like broccoli myself, but I eat it because it's good for me--maybe you and your husband just change your attitude about condoms for the next few months. It won't be forever.
:-) D.
Like the foam mentioned earlier there is also a vcf vaginal contreceptive film. you just place it inside the vagina and wait about 10 min. and you are good to go (check the box for actual time, we haven't used them in a very long time.)
I used Natural Family PLanning for 4 yrs. I never did the temperature taking, I just monitored my monthly cycle. For me it is basically every other week we can't have sex. 1 week is the period, 1 week is safe, 1 week I'm fertile, 1 week is safe. Yours might be different though. I would recommend a site like mymonthlycycle.com You can input all you period data for the last couple months and it will tell you when you are most fertile (this would be the time to avoid) Good luck with EVERYTHING!
mY HUBBY AND I USED THE SPERMICIDE FILM FOR A WHILE. IT WORKED FOR US, BUT I DON'T THINK IT IS AS SECURE AS THE PILL. I AM NOT SURE WHAT FORM OF THE PILL YOU ARE USING, BUT MOST OF MY FRIENDS GOT PREGO WITHIN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF BEING OFF THE PILL. IT MIGHT NOT TAKE YOUR BODY A FEW MONTHS TO "BE READY".
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR JOB! WE NEED GOOD TEACHERS IN OUR SCHOOLS. IT IS SUCH A SHAME THAT YOU ARE HAVING TO STRESS ABOUT YOUR JOB WHILE TRYING TO BEGIN YOUR NEW FAMILY!
GOD BLESS!
