Question:
Which birth control methods prevent fertilization/hostile environments to a fetus?
Hi all: I'm not very experienced with this whole birth control thing as my husband was my first and we got pregnant during our honeymoon! I need help figuring this birth control thing out for after surgery.<br> I have ethical issues with *any birth control method that allows possible fertilization*. I'm so glad I can ask this in private because it is embarassing for me to bring up because people can get rude about this, in my experience, but I have a right to my beliefs. <br> I asked my OB, but he was really rude about it and said "Oh, are you Catholic?" and then, before I could answer, yanked a (presumably catholic) nurse in his staff into his office and told her I was against most birth control. Then she launched into this tirade about how the "church wasn't going to pay for her babies". And then he told me, "well, now you've got a catholic's opinion and a jewish person's opinion (meaning his), so take this prescription and get over it.<br> I'm not catholic and kind of soft spoken, so I just got kind of red and didn't say anything else. I know, I know, I'm switching OB's. But right now I need to know what birth control I can feel comfortable using.<br> Please do not respond if you are going to attack my beliefs. I'm not trying to start a debate here, I'm trying to get information from other Christian married women about how be the best mother I can be. <br> Thanks in advance and Peace! — Write L. (posted on September 26, 2002)
September 25, 2002
oh my goodness Ann,that doc boarders on needing to be reported to the
medical board. You poor thing!! I think all he had to do was explain your
choicesd to you and the benefits/ problems with all choices. Since he did
not take the time, I will try to. OK, birth control that prevents
fertilization includes pills, injections, and patches. As well as barrier
methods such as condoms and diaphrams, and spermacides. What you do not
want to use (and yes, most catholcis do not want to use) are IUD's. Those
do not prevent fertilization, but prevent implantation....at least most of
the time. Hope that this helps. If you have further questions, please
e-mail me.
— Vicki L.
September 25, 2002
Have just a short correction to make. Birth control pills, Depo Provera
injections, and hormonal patches do NOT prevent fertilization. They
prevent ovulation. Diaphragms and condoms do prevent fertilization by
preventing sperm from reaching the uterus. IUD's...while part of their
action is preventing implantation...also do some prevention of
fertilization, by making the cervical mucous thicker and harder to
penetrate by sperm.
One other comment. If you do not wish to get pregnant soon...please use
either birth control pills or the injections (97-99% effective). Condoms
and diaphragms are notoriously ineffective, even with correct and
consistent usage (approx 75-80% effective.)
— Sheri K.
September 26, 2002
ANother comment to the comment - pills, etc.- while they do prevent
ovulation - that in turn prevents fertilization. You want to avoid the
IUD. (SOme IUDs have hormones, like someone else said, and can also prevent
conception, but if you are as concerned as you are, avoid them and enjoy
not worrying "what if"). Thank goodness we all have our own
opinions, that is what is giving us so many options!
Sorry your doc was a bonehead, and that you didn't feel comfortable enough
with him to correct the situation. So - try the pill -(or the hormonal
variations thereof - Lunelle, Depo-Prevara, the new patch) for the most
reliable and ethically-acceptable for you. My .02$ from a non-christian,
married woman trying hard not to be a mother - no debate necessary :)
— M. A. B.
September 26, 2002
Actually, my gynecologist who is Catholic gave me this info: Pills,
patches, and injections USUALLY prevent ovulation, but are not totally
effective and their secondary mechanism is to prevent implantation. The
copper IUD kills sperm so that they never reach the egg and cannot
fertilize it, their secondary mechanism is to inflame the wall of the
uterus slightly so that any egg that does chance to be fertilized cannot
implant. The only methods that definatley prevent fertilization are
barrier methods but since they are less effective, you have to double up.
For instance, use a condom and spermicide with the pill or shot because in
the unlikely event that the condom breaks, you have the pill as a back-up
and it's very very unlikely that there will be any contact between the egg
and sperm. You could also couple this with Natural Family Planning if you
so choose. Most importantly, don't do anything that your conscience cannot
handle and don't worry about what other people think, except your husband.
I personally had to make peace with my own decision and if you do some hard
thinking about how you really feel, you can find something that will be
satisfactory to you. Good luck.
— cjabates
September 26, 2002
Hello. I don't know if this is the answer you want but my dr recommends
Depo-Provera supplemented with the barrier method. I am not Catholic, but
Lutheran, born and raised. I'm not for or against anything regarding
conception/pregnancy/birth/choice, but I do know that me getting pregnant
at 5 months post-op would not be good for either myself or the baby. Birth
control bills are not going to be absorbed post-op like pre-op, so your
choices may be limited. I applaud you for standing by your beliefs, don't
let anyone talk you into something you don't want or believe in. I believe
it is recommended waiting about 18-24 months post-op before having children
but I know many other women have had successful pregnancies way before that
time. I hope this helps. I've been very happy with Depo-Provera, no
problems or health concerns for me. Do you have a PCP that you would feel
comfortable speaking to about birth control options?
— jenn2002
September 26, 2002
Hi Anne,
I understand what you're asking and have recently heard a debate on this.
I wish I remembered all the ins and out, but here's what I do know.
Condoms, spermicide, and a diaphram (or a combination :-) will prevent
fertilization. Most birth control pills however work in two ways, one
hormone prevents ovulation, and the other prevents implantation as a backup
in case the egg ends up fertilized anyway (NOT what you're looking for).
If you want the pill, ask for one that prevents ovulation ONLY and WITHOUT
the second hormone that prevents implantation. I'm sorry I don't remember
the names. IUD's do not prevent ovulation, but do prevent a fertilized egg
from implanting... also not what you want. E-mail me if I didn't explain
this clearly. BTW, I heard the debate on Focus on the Family so they may
have more info on their website.
— mom2jtx3
September 26, 2002
Anne- First of all, I cannot believe how rude your doctor was. I would
switch immediately! You are entitled to your beliefs. To be very honest
with you, most hormonal methods which include: DepoProvera (the 3 month
shot) The Pill, The Once a month birth control shot, The Patch,
Norplant,etc. can result in early fertilization. ie: sperm meets egg. It
does not necessarily mean that the fertilized egg will make it to your
uterus and begin to grow. But, if you consider life beginning the minute
the egg is fertlizied, then you should know that this can happen. With
taking the pill, it is supposed to keep your from ovulating, but it does
happen. There is no gurantee against it. The IUD is the worst of all
methods, as you can become pregnant every month, only to lose the fetus due
to hostile uterine enviorment. The only methods that I am aware of that do
not have a chance of terminating very early pregnancies are condoms,
spermacide, foam, diaphram, natural family planning. But, there is more of
a risk of becoming pregnant with these methods than the others. I wish you
a lot a luck. I have encountered much of the same problems. I have four
small children, do not want any more and struggle with the same issues you
do. ANd no, I am NOT catholic. :)
— Shawnie S.
September 26, 2002
Original poster here- Thank you guys SO SO much for all of the terrific
information. I will check out the Focus on the Family site to see if I can
find more info. But all of this is just terrific! Thanks you for the
respectful answers and God bless all of you! :)
— Write L.
November 17, 2002
Hi Anne-
This website has a lot of great info. This particular link is to a section
talking about birth control pills. I think it would be helpful to you.
Good luck! :) http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-bcpill.html
— Write L.
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