This study explored the experience of contraceptive use by women wanting to prevent pregnancy. Six women between the ages of 22 and 41 were interviewed concerning their lifetime experience with contraception. The women spoke of similar issues such as making their own decisions, being ambivalent at times, fear of pregnancy, taking risks, reactions to failure of a method and the influence of mothers, partners, and health care providers. The seven themes that emerged were titled as "the decision was mine", "throw caution to the wind", "scared half to death", "something's just not right here", "a big, big shock", "I was never told the facts of life" and "you don't ask any questions". Themes were described using the actual words of each woman interviewed so as to reflect the lived experience of contraceptive use.