POLL: Long-term Family Planning

Well my dr told me that once he tied my tubes they could be untied but that tying them back would be harder. I was not able to take the pill the made me sick so I opted for the tubal ligation. I don't regret it one bit. It will be 10 year ago on the 13th that I had it done.

We have "permanent" (vasectomy). It's wonderful, but it's not for everyone.

Hormones don't work for me (they make me miserable). So this was best for us.

Well, we decided to be extra sure and went for the vasectomy and b.c.
(Just kidding, the bc is used medically for me, not for contraceptive purposes.)

We knew we really only wanted one child, and due to our ages and income, this was a good choice for us. My husband had a vasectomy when Kiddo was about 9 months old or so. I think it's okay for us to be happy with what we have right now and not 'what if' ourselves too much. And if you are really hankering for a child ten years from now, consider adoption.

I had my second child at 35. I used an IUD for a few years, until we felt absolutely sure, then my husband had a vasectomy. I babysit infants and toddlers, and I am very glad that they go home at the end of the day. I wouldn't want to start over with a baby again! In fact, just reading the posts on here "baby won't sleep", "potty training trouble", "cryin and tantrums" etc. is enough to make anyone get their tubes tied! LOL

Copper IUD (paragard)

Same failure rate as a tubal ligation (!!!)
Good for 10 years
Can be removed at any time
No hormonal side effects (no hormones)
Good/works from day of insertion onward
NOT affected by antibiotics or other meds

Ditto Riley J.'s answer.

I had a copper IUD for three years and loved the security of having it. I took it out last August because I have VERY heavy menses (always have had), and the IUD exacerbated the issue.

I'm on the pill now and my body loves the hormones (not joking). I've had the first 'normal' periods of my life. It's so wonderful to have a flow that doesn't debilitate me for 10 days. If, however, I had lighter menses, there's no doubt in my mind that I would have kept my copper IUD in.

We use NFP and have never had any unplanned pregnancies. I tried bcp for a very short time (less than a month) after our second child and it messed with my nursing milk supply so I left it alone. For me NFP has been just a matter of knowing my body and the way my fertility cycle works.

The Pill. It has worked for me for a total of 25+ years.

What about an IUD? I got the copper one (Paraguard) a couple months ago, and I haven't had any problems with it. It lasts 10 years, which should take me into (gulp) menopause. But if I C. my mind, I can always have it taken out. Good luck to you. I have three kids, and I have NO desire to be pregnant ever again. But I have learned to never say never.

I would not get my tubes tied yet if I were you. I don't think you really know what you want to do at this point. There could be circumstances under which you might desire another child. What if someday your husband passed away (God forbid), or your marriage ended in divorce? You may want to have a baby with your new spouse. Just some things to consider. Best of luck with your decision, whatever it may be.

I'm so glad you asked this, because I've been wondering the same thing. I'm 38, and pregnant with our second, with a planned c-section (due to complications.) My Dr. asked me to think about if I want him to tie my tubes while he's in there. (Which would cut down on having a second surgery some day, or avoid the cost of my husband having a vasectomy.) I love the pill because it has always helped regulate my hormones and my periods, yet rationally I know it would save more money to just get my tubes tied. At the same time, it feels so final and sad to me, even though rationally I don't plan on having any more children. It just feels like I'm ending this awesome power of creation that I have as a woman. I know that sounds lame and irrational.

I did the depo, loved it, got pregnant on the pill then got tubes tied but I understand wanting to be sure my 1st and 2nd are 14 years apart

Ever consider an IUD? You can choose between Mirena which has hormones, or Paraguard that has no hormones and if you were to change your mind about having more children it can be taken out. I have been on hormonal birth control pills for years and actually just stopped because my husband just had a vasectomy. The hormones in the birth control pills are just horrible for me. We have 2 children and are more than sure we don't want another. We are both only 27, so there is that tiny thought that maybe, at some point in the future there may be regret, but I highly doubt it!

Mirena is a good option for what you are describing. I'm on my second one (had one then taken out for our second child and now back on it) and I LOVE it! We're talking about my husband getting a vasectomy but honestly I love the Mirena so much we're considering putting it off and me getting another one in a few years. We are done having kids, but even knowing that, making a permanent decision is scary.

I second the IUD. I have the Mirena, got it put in 2 months after dd was born, she is now 3.5. No problems with it at all. They are good up to 5 years. Mine was covered fully by my insurance, too. I plan to have it removed next spring when we "plan" to try for baby #2.

we're doing condoms because hormonal birth control makes me ragey and my husband would rather use a condom than not get any at all. :-)

There is always the thought that we may not be done. Several of my friends have had second families, even with the same spouse, after they thought they were done. One actually decided to have more children after their kids were nearly in high school.

I was an accident, my sister was 11 1/2 and my brother turned 15 two days before I was born.

I think that it is often the case where the parents decide they want more kids later on. One friend forced hubby to have a vasectomy because she did not want to get pregnant again. They divorced a few years later due to her suddenly getting baby fever. There were many other issues besides this but it was the one she dwelt on. She could not find a doc that would reverse the vasectomy.

She now has 2 adult children and 2 children in elementary school or middle school. She is happy and fulfilled with her newer hubby and her children.

So my thoughts are that it's always possible. The sudden urge or need to have more children can sometimes be a surprise. My friend who lost her son from a bunk bed accident had 4 more children after that loss.

I know of people who did decide to do permanent birth control and it didn't work somehow. I think if you are going to do it then doing it right is a good thing. The Essure procedure is good because it is testable. They run dye down the tubes and if it gets through it is fixed, if it doesn't go through a person can be pretty sure they won't get pregnant.

Making this decision is personal of course. Having more kids is a joint decision. Talking with each other until you are sure is the best way to go.

This is such a personal decision - your answer may be quite different from ours. We went with a permanent solution after our second child.

I was 37, and my husband was 45. We talked it over and decided that we didn't want to take chances on any late "oopses." We were content with two. I had some serious health issues during my last pregnancy, and had been advised by my doctor that it would be risky to do it again. Also, we are already in line to have two kids in college the same year my husband would be eligible for social security. We wanted to be able to travel and do outdoor activities with kids who were old enough for those things while their father was still young enough for those things. So my husband got a vasectomy, and we're enjoying our 2 parents, 2 kids, one dog family.

No regrets seven years later.

1st thing I did was hold other people's babies. I was ready to give them back, so I knew that I wouldn't want to have any more children. Also, a vasectomy can be reversed whereas tubes tied aren't.

I got Essure done about 2 1/2 months ago. I am also still on birth control pills becuase I have not had the test done yet to make sure the procedure worked. It is a permanent birth control option, but I KNOW I don't want any more kids I have 2 and I just know I dont want anymore. It was really easy to do!

Well, I don't want more kids but am just using spermicide. We aren't super active so it works out for us. I keep some track of my cycle and am extra careful around ovulation. If insurance covered it I might consider a non hormone IUD. At 40+ I figure I don't need any extra hormones from my birth control. I'm not sure I would have anything permanent done.

Paragard. Heavier and longer menses (exercising seems to have lightened it a bit) but worth it either way.

VCF - LOVE it.
http://vcfcontraceptive.com/ and you can get a free trail

Paragaurd seems to be easier for many women due to it being copper rather than hormonal.