contraception pill given in schools

1jim

Janepig wrote: »

TBH I've got no view either way as far as other children are concerned, they can give the pill out like smarties to other people's kids for all I care, but for my own, I'd want to know. Unfortunately the pill isn't like taking a paracetamol for a headache, it has side effects and someone taking it needs regular check ups, etc.... not to mention having to remember to take it regularly, which I struggled with in my 20's, let alone if I'd been 14, so if my 14 year old daughter was in a position to want/need it then I'd want to know so that we could both look at whether it's the most suitable way forward, I wouldn't want some school nurse dishing it out to her without a second thought.

Jx

I think we are agreed the pill or any other method of contraception isn't like paracetamol, but I think you are being a little too unfair on the school nurse. The school nurse will be trained in contraception, the school nurse together in partnership with the child discuss the pros and cons and appropriateness of the available methods and the child will then choose which they prefer. This is part of the assessment of whether the child is competent to make a decision and understand the significance. If they can't make the informed decision they won't be issued with any contraception. If the child can make that decision they can also make the decision of whether to involve their parent(s). The school nurse will also be able to do appropriate checkups so no different to going to family planning or a GP service.

The danger in the situation you highlight above is bringing your history into your child's consultation... Ie I struggled to take pills at 20, doesn't mean all children will. Some parents will choose what they think is the most appropriate plan of treatment thinking that they have involved the child when they have really decided based on their past experience,,,and as parents it's quite hard to remain objective.

As for wanting to be told, I would as well, we just have to accept that as parents we won't be told unless our children want us to know (I say that as a parent myself), this is no different to where the child access contraceptive services (and I think you will see condoms pushed quite heavily at all of these services but the fact remains other contraception is more effective) . The best we can do as parents is to foster a relationship with our children that allows them to approach us openly about this in the future

RevolvingDoor

1jim wrote: »

It's great to see so much common sense, teenagers have sex, condoms and contraception (or access to these) do not make them have more sex, it just gives them the chance to have that sex with reduced risk of sti or pregnancy. The normalisation of access to contraception and the access to people to talk about sex/relationships can only be a good thing

I agree.:)

j.e.j.

peachyprice wrote: »

Girls of 14 have always had and will always have sex. It happened in your time, it happened in your Granny's time and it happened in your Great Grannies time, anyone who tells you different is seriously misguided.

We had a 15-year-old pregnant girl in our class at school. It was sad, we felt a bit sorry for her because she'd not come from a good home background and in any case was often absent from school. But I don't know whether the school waving condoms and Pill packets at her would have prevented the pregnancy! Sadly I think maybe the baby was one thing she had to live for/look forward to.

1jim wrote: »

Better to provide pill or condoms than a termination.

100% agree with you on this ^^

It's been the case for years now that 14-year-olds can get The Pill from the doctor without their parents knowledge. But I don't think the place for family planning should be in a school. You go to school to learn!!

claire16c

Janepig wrote: »

TBH I've got no view either way as far as other children are concerned, they can give the pill out like smarties to other people's kids for all I care, but for my own, I'd want to know. Unfortunately the pill isn't like taking a paracetamol for a headache, it has side effects and someone taking it needs regular check ups, etc.... not to mention having to remember to take it regularly, which I struggled with in my 20's, let alone if I'd been 14, so if my 14 year old daughter was in a position to want/need it then I'd want to know so that we could both look at whether it's the most suitable way forward, I wouldn't want some school nurse dishing it out to her without a second thought.

It might be wisest/safest to use both pill and condoms, but it's just my observation that condoms don't seem to be highlighted enough, that it puts the onus on both sexes to carry them, that they protect against diseases which the pill doesn't. It just seems that because it prevents pregancy the pill seen as the b-all and end all.

I don't entirely buy in to the ignorance thing either. Just because lots of girls who got pregnant young trotted out the "condom broke/forgot to take my pill/didn't think you could get pregnant the first time you had sex", etc..... lines doesn't mean they were actually true. If I'd have got pregnant at 14 I know I'd have given one of those excuses to my mother. In fact, who is really going to go and tell their mother, at 14, "mum, I'm pregnant, I've been sh@gging like a rabbit and I know I should have used contraception but I thought I'd chance it and look what's happened"?. Probably no-one. :cool:

Jx

Why would a school nurse be any less qualified to prescribe it than one at your local gp's practise which she could see in secret? It's up to you to make sure you have a relationship where your daughter is able to talk to you about stuff like that.

Plus wouldn't you be more furious if she got pregnant because a condom broke? The pill is much more effective than condoms.

I took it as an older teenager & it's easy to remember to take - and if you forget you use condoms as a back up method.

1jim

j.e.j. wrote: »

It's been the case for years now that 14-year-olds can get The Pill from the doctor without their parents knowledge. But I don't think the place for family planning should be in a school. You go to school to learn!!

The problem with this is that most 14year olds can't access GP services easily, most GP clinics are in school time, those appointments outside of school times are often taken up with children and parents and as you tend to register near where you live there is often someone you know in the waiting room, the fear is that that person will tell the parent where you were.

I agree you go to school to learn, but in school there is a school nurse. Most of these visits to the nurse will be made in school breaks so no interruption in learning required.

Incidentally these services are expanding into other youth areas like youth clubs etc. as I said before improved access can only be a good thing

j.e.j.

Condoms are one thing. The trouble is, with the Pill it's a minefield! The school nurse does not have the child's medical records there, and the child may or may not tell them everything they should. As soon as you start giving the Pill out, you need to check the girls blood pressure regularly, advise about the increased risk of breast cancer, offer cervical smear tests, etc. I'm sorry, school is NOT the place to be doing all this!!

1jim

Why can the school nurse not do any of that?
Why can't school nurse not check blood pressures? Advise on smears/cancer risks etc?

Will the family planning clinic have more history than the school nurse.... I think you will probably find the school nurse has more history than other clinics have

1jim

j.e.j. wrote: »

I'm sorry, school is NOT the place to be doing all this!!

Would it be better carried out by an experienced nurse who specialises in child health in a room next door to the school which is open at the same time as the school?

j.e.j.

1jim wrote: »

The problem with this is that most 14year olds can't access GP services easily, most GP clinics are in school time, those appointments outside of school times are often taken up with children and parents and as you tend to register near where you live there is often someone you know in the waiting room, the fear is that that person will tell the parent where you were.

Well, most adults requiring GP services also have to plan it around their work, etc. Or do we expect our employers to provide family planning during work hours? I don't think so! Family Planning Clinics are open in the evenings. Yes, someone might tell the parent where they were. They are 14 and their parents are responsible for them and are probably concerned!!

1jim wrote: »

Why can the school nurse not do any of that?
Why can't school nurse not check blood pressures? Advise on smears/cancer risks etc?

Will the family planning clinic have more history than the school nurse.... I think you will probably find the school nurse has more history than other clinics have

14 year olds having smear tests in their school lunch break? The Daily Mail would have a field day :rotfl: No but seriously, there's something badly wrong if this is the norm these days.

verysillyguy06

1jim wrote: »

I really don't follow, which bit is nonsense?

I can't work out if we agree or disagree :rotfl:

It is not the law....can you show me where every teenager is entitled to have pills handed under Gillick ?