I was just wondering how much information you were provided from your doctor prior to getting depo... i.e., given info about side effects, depo withdrawal, returning to regular cycles, etc.. Also, do you feel it is the doctor’s responsibility to inform you of such things?

Personally, I almost feel violated. My plan had been the copper IUD after delivery due to having problems with hormonal BC increasing migraines. Long story short, I had a really bad gut feeling and last minute opted against having it placed after delivery. I was pressured into making another decision about BC before discharge, without time to even process. Needless to say, my daughter was born with gastroschisis, was critically ill and needed surgery/a lengthy NICU stay, so I was in no mental shape to even begin processing anything thrown at me, let alone think to ask a million and one questions. I hastily picked depo to get the dr off my back and truly regret it. We started the kid thing late and had plans to start trying for our second in a year, which had been discussed with my OB. I was ignorant and didn’t know depo was any diff than the pill in regards to cycles returning and what not. I had been on the pill for 10 years but had problems with migraines. I was never given any info about anything regarding depo withdrawal or how it may affect plans to conceive. It has destroyed my cycles and I had a hell of a time with depo withdrawal. I had a friend mention depo withdrawal to me, wondering if that’s why I was having so many weird symptoms. I never even heard of it and did a lot of research and feel utterly frustrated and almost violated that none of this pertinent information was ever given to me. Depo clearly wasn’t the right choice for me and if I would’ve been informed, I would’ve NEVER in a million years made that decision.

So while I understand I have a responsibility as well to investigate and ask my own questions prior to putting something in my body, I also believe the doctor failed me. Especially on a postpartum ward with everything going on. First, it was a very inappropriate time to be pressuring me, but I also get why they did; however, it should’ve been fully explained. Plans about future children and time line should’ve been discussed. I believe doctors have the responsibility to help find the best fitting treatment and in doing so, believe they should be asking such questions like do you plan to conceive in the near future and informing their patients of side effects/withdrawal/etc.

Just wanting to hear everyone’s thoughts/opinions & feel free to play devils advocate lol. Lack of information was a common theme women express from the research I’ve been doing. Obviously, I’m utterly pissed and feel like the doctor failed me.. but I’m also just now digesting all this new info, so maybe I’m overreacting.. but I can’t help to feel violated that our plans for #2 are potentially delayed/affected because I was never given the appropriate information from my doctor.