Birth control help!!

•I really want to go on birth control but I’m not sure how to ask my mom about it. I understand that you can get it for free at some areas but I know she would find out and punish me for not telling her. I also feel that if I told her she would get upset and judge me. My flow has always been super heavy, I can go through a super tampon within two hours. Not only this, but my cramps have been getting worse and worse. It would also help me be much less stressed after I “do the deed”.

•To sum it all up, how should I ask my mom about going on birth control (if I decide to do so)?

•Although I really would like to go on birth control, a lot of the side effects also have me holding back the question. Potential acne, weight gain, mood swings, increase facial hair growth, etc all have me a little frightened. Please let me know if they are common or what your experience was.