[tiaansmummy]

Hi there,

I'm a Mum to a beautiful 15month old bouncing princess who is our world.

We decided to put me onto the Depo Privera in December (she was 11 months)

I have been on it before, and know that I don't get my period on it, but its been almost 5 months, and i am sick to death of month after month worrying that I am pregnant, or we could get pregnant, which is extremely selfish because we lost two pregnancies before being blessed with our miracle.

I am considering getting the IUD again, but the last time i got it the dr was a complete butcher and I have a horrible scar on my arm, and I was also told it could lead to being infertile.

Our problem is, we don't know if we want another baby, or if our DD is it.

I'm concerned I could be pregnant again, but I basically I am asking, Would the Depo alter a home pregnancy test result? I'm nauseous, and exhausted and just plain off, similar to my princess's pregnancy, so yeah, that it.

Sorry if its a bit long winded, but if the powers that be have graced us with another little miracle, then thats how it is gonna be, and i will be ecstatic once i pass 16 weeks.

Thanks for any advice.

Sam.

[Mes T]

What do you mean you got a scar on your arm from an IUD? The IUD (hormonal or NON-hormonal) is inserted into the uterus...

I don't know if the depo would alter the test but, if you think you are pregnant and want to keep the baby, you certainly should stop taking any kind of medications, including hormonal birth controls.

For the future, have you considered non-hormonal options like the copper IUD, cervical cap, or diaphragm?

[sourpuss]

The symptoms could be from the shot. Have you considered sitting down and deciding once and for all if you do or don't want another child? Vascetomy would be the best option if you don't. Otherwise, I would suggest a non-hormonal IUD.

[KMonte85]

Your symptoms could also be a result of your constant anxiety and worrying that you're pregnant. Neausea, tired, feeling "off" can all be put on by stress, which you seem to have every month. Try to relax and see if that helps you!

If the depo works for you, other than just not having a monthly, consider staying on it. The failure rate of this birth control is less than 1%, so it is very effective at preventing pregnancy, to be any safer you would pretty much have to be abstinent or infertile.

However, if you are unable to deal with not having a monthly period, if it continues to wear on your mind and you're unable to stop worrying, you may want to talk with your doctor about other options.

[oliveuphoria]

I have been on depo for 2 years, and know what you mean. I have gained a lot of weight, get fatigued easier, especially when something stressful or emotional happens or right before my shot. I think I am going to switch to a pill at the risk of it possibly making me crazy, just because I'm tired of feeling fat and more lazy, even if it means that I have to deal with the oh-so-delightful once monthly blood bath. I'm starting to think that my body is starting to just reject this amount of hormones in my system. I have never had a period on depo. Ever. One time I was late for a shot and almost had one, but it was just terrible, terrible cramping and one day of medium to light bleeding. In two years I have had no period and no pregnancy, so its very doubtful you are pregnant. I agree that it is just depo symptoms, and you may want to switch to a different method. I don't like the idea of a foreign object in my body, personally, and have some metal allergies, so I won't do a copper IUD. You should talk to your doctor and figure something out.

On the vasectomy note, if you decide no kids and have your man get his tubes tied instead of yours, its reversible. Something to think about. Then you won't have to mess with hormones or children if you don't want to.

[Yazwoman]

I agree with Olive re vasectomy. It's not only easier for men (since they wear theirs on the outside) but reversible. Harder for women to get tubes tied and it's a lot more invasive. Why does it seem so much easier for men? Gah.

Olive: If you want to go on the pill and don't want the monthly bleeds ask your doctor about taking the pill continuously, aka, no placebos, just 4 periods a year.

Tiaan: If you are using the Depo, it may take some time for your body to get used to the new hormones. It's pretty well known that unless your a skinny waif you will gain weight on it, sad but true. But if not having the monthly 'bleed' worries you, then maybe you should go on something else (IUD for example, if you don't want to take pills)