Anybody used the sponge as birth control?

[CBall]

So I'm not organized enough yet to use NFP, I'm really anti-hormonal birth control right now, and condoms are such a pain. Has anybody tried the sponge? And if so had any "oops" babies? Thanks

[*MamaJen*]

Just the sponge isn't enough. Super high failure rate. It's a good back-up for another method, like charting or withdrawal or condoms.
Have you considered a copper IUD? I have one and love it.

[LovelyBella]

How do you use a sponge for birth control? Sorry this is the first time I have heard about this. And also what's a copper UID? I am new to the forums and just learning new terms, words here. But I am getting married and we're not planning on having a baby yet so I am trying to see what's the best method to use for birth control...

[rhiandmoi]

It's a specific brand of BC called the Today Sponge. IMO it was very unacceptable. First of all the thing is huge. You have to soak it water and activate the spermicide. Then you stuff it up against your cervix. It was irritating and felt very present the whole time. If you are ok using spermicides I would go for the diaphragm before the sponge. Although using spermicides does cause all kinds of interesting local imbalances. Be prepared to suffer yeast infections, UTIs or both.

[JlyGrnMigt]

Originally Posted by CBall

So I'm not organized enough yet to use NFP, I'm really anti-hormonal birth control right now, and condoms are such a pain. Has anybody tried the sponge? And if so had any "oops" babies? Thanks

I bought a 3-pack when they came back on the market and we used them near the end of my cycle when I was probably safe anyway. No oops babies, but lots of uncomfortable burny/tingliness the day or 2 after. I never bought it again.

[Pumpkin_Pie]

DS is a "Sponge Baby" I had a terrible allergic reaction to it though. I did find it extremely comfortable, and couldn't feel it at all, surprisingly.

[mambera]

We also had the problem of irritation with the sponge. Not me so much as DH. No oopsies, but we didn't use it much.

I agree that if you're OK with spermicide a diaphragm is preferable. You have all the same issues of having to place it ahead of time, dealing with spermicide, etc. but at least the spermicide isn't squished right up against your cervix.

[Teenytoona]

Sponges become drastically ineffective once a woman has given birth. And they fail enough without that drastic drop... I had an unintended pregnancy result from one - and that was before I'd given birth. I'd chuck that idea and stick with barrier methods.

[fresh_veggie]

I was talking to my mom the other day and she decided to tell me how awesome the sponge was.



Yeah, it's not that effective. Maybe she thought I didn't know about it and just wants me to have babies, oops and all.

No personal experience, but apparently my mom used it effectively a long time ago. Or she heard about it and thought she used it.

[sparklett]

My MIL used a sponge. And DH was the result.