Female adult ? r rated (natural birth control)

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Does anyone know where to get info. on natural birth control? The one where you take your temp. each day to see when you may be ovulating.I do not like /will not take the pill and other forms do not work{i can show you 3 really cute babies}.The other option is an IUD,hubby REFUSES to have himself done and we are not sure if we want more children. This maybe an off the wall ? for the forum but alot of you seem to know natural ways of doing things. Thank You.

-- renee oneill{md.} (oneillsr@home.com), January 17, 2001

Answers

Response to Female adult ? r rated

Renee, The Fertility Awareness method, when properly used, has a failure rate of 25% in the first year. Copper IUD has a failure rate of 0.8% in the first year. Male condoms have a failure rate of 14%. The fertility awareness method actually has three methods combined. The calendar method is based on the knowledge that the average woman releases an egg 14-16 days before her next period begins. Few women menstruate with regularity, so a record of the menstrual cycle must be kept for 12 months, during which time some other method must be used. The first day of each period is counted as "1". To determine the first ferile or unsafe day of the cycle, subtract 18 from the number of days of the shortest cycle. To determine the last unsafe day, sutract 11 from the number of days of the longest cycle. The temperature method is based on the knowledge that a womans body temperature drops slightly just before ovulation and rises slightly after ovulation. You must record your basal (resting) body temperature every morning before getting out of bed, eating or drinking anything. Once the temperature pattern is apparent, (usually after 3 months)the unsafe period for intercourse can be calculated as the interval from day 5 9day 1 is the first day of the period) until 3 days after the rise of the basal body temperature. To arrive at a shorter unsafe period, some women combine the temp and calander method, calculating the first unsafe day from the shortest cycle of the calendar chart and the last unsafe day as the third day after the rise in basal body temperature. The mucus method (Billings method) is based on changes in cervical secretions throughout the cycle. During the estrogenic phase, cervical mucous increases and is clear and slippery. At the time of ovulation, the texture changes and is likely to produce an elastic thread when stretched between thumb and finger. After ovulation, these secretions become cloudy and sticky and decrease in quantity.Infertile days are likely to occur on the dry days just before and after menstruation. On the light side, try abstinence and see if he changes his mind about sterilization. Sorry if this has offended anyone, but any question asked is worth answering. Knowledge is power.

-- Terri Perry (teperry@stargate.net), January 17, 2001.

Response to Female adult ? r rated

Speaking from a male perspective, Renee...

You can tell hubby that a vasectomy does not have to be an "all-or- nothing" proposition. There is a procedure whereby a gold valve is inserted into the vas deferens that can be turned on and off to allow the passage of sperm. Let's see if I remember correctly. "Righty- tighty, lefty-loosy".

(:raig

-- Craig Miller (CMiller@ssd.com), January 17, 2001.


Response to Female adult ? r rated

I should have guessed .I went 7 years and then I can show you a cute baby .My cycles are dead on 28 days , I also get cramps most of the time when ovulating .We either didn't have sex then or used condoms .The pill makes me sick , creams make me itch and I refused to have another surgery .The dr.s would not do my tubes after baby 2 .Hubby said he would go , and then came baby 3 the only one I had natural {not !!} Hubby said he would go again .Low and behold baby 4 was a c-sec tubes are now gone !!!

-- Patty (fodfarms@slic.com), January 17, 2001.

Response to Female adult ? r rated

I found a website while surfing about herbal medicine etc. that talked about herbal abortions, etc. The site was Linda's Lair, I bookmarked it, but didn't go through the whole site. Check there for info on herbal contrceptives etc. Seems to me that I read somewhere that massive doses of Vitamin C can act like a morning after pill if taken for that reason. Surf for women's health sites with a holistic bent and I'll bet you'll find what you are looking for. And no, I didn't try the herbal abortion recipes, having had the tube tie after the last one. Hope it's still tied!

-- Denyelle Stroup (dedestroup@hotmail.com), January 17, 2001.

Response to Female adult ? r rated

Try a search on HomeSpun A Working Woman's Newsletter - they have an article on natural spermicides and birth control. If you can't find it let me know - I'll copy the article and email it to you. You may also look into other methods that make hubby temporarily sterile - something to do with soaking in very very hot water for a certain length of time. Good luck.

-- Linda Al-Sangar (alsangal@brentwood-tn.org), January 17, 2001.


Response to Female adult ? r rated

Renee, you need to be asking your physician or health care professional about options. The shot is a wonderful method, and a wonderful side effect of it is that you don't even have a period in most cases, or a very light one. Other than getting back to the office for your next shot, there isn't anything to think about, and no loaded diapers! Planned Parenthood and the like, do alot more than abortion counsling, they also do birth control on a slinding scale dependant upon what you make. It still floors me in this day and age women having unplanned pregnacies. You can pretty much guess that if you are having sex and not using one of the 99%ers, pill, shot or one of the 100%ers, vasectomy and tubals, than babies are on the way! I chose tubal, because I simply didn't want any more pregnancies. Since you are still at the point where you are not sure, than you need to be on one of the 99%ers. With one through with college, one on her way to college, and one 16, which means 3 driving, 2 on our insurance, and 2 will be in college at the same time...Yikes! "Hubby REFUSES to have himself done?" You sure have your work cut out for you! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), January 17, 2001.

Response to Female adult ? r rated

Renee, have you tried a diaphragm? I know they are kind of messy and (gasp!) old-fashioned, but their rate isn't any worse than any of the other barrier methods. They kind of remind me of the "Keeper" menstrual cap. They do have to be fitted. Do go to Planned Parenthood if money is an issue (I'm remembering your hubby just got hurt), explain the circumstances and they will work with you. And if they don't - call the State PP office, or Nat'l if need be. A lot of people think PP is just for young people or abortion referrals - it's much, much more. Pap smears and STD testing, among other things. Okay - I'm done with the Public Service Announcement - (sorry!) : ) .

-- Polly (tigger@moultrie.com), January 17, 2001.

Response to Female adult ? r rated

Renee...I used an IUD after our second child, I was nursing and couldn't go back on the pill. It worked, and you really never notice it's there. Once the boys were old enough to have Mom laid up for a couple of days I had my tubes done, with the "band-aid" surgery. I know 16 men who had vasectomies, and everyone of them had complications....so I never let hubby consider that option.Hope this helps in your decision. Kathie

-- Kathie in Western Washington (twinrosefarm@worldnet.att.net), January 17, 2001.

Response to Female adult ? r rated

Have hubby talk to the guys here that have made the cut.Nick will tell him what to do,if you like!

NO to IUD! Had one years ago. makes you susceptible to PID. Diaphram OK,long as you use it.

There are natural herbs but the one I can think of a the moment is also poisonous in sufficient quantities.

Bottom line Vasectomy.20 years No babies.Strong testomony

-- sharon wt (wildflower@ekyol.com), January 17, 2001.


Response to Female adult ? r rated

Thanks everyone for your input,we will need to talk about the options.I just do not see me able to take my temp. every morning{i forget alot},the IUD looks good. Thanks again

-- renee oneill{md.} (oneillsr@home.com), January 17, 2001.


Response to Female adult ? r rated

Renee, be carful of IUDs, they can cause increased cramping and flow and infection. The once every three month shot is good but if you don't want to take the pill that may not be an option for you. Diaphram works well but you have to "go put it in" does not work in the drawer. Consider what you want, you have 3 babies, how old are you? Children are expensive in more ways than one. Personally, I had my tubes done at 18 when my son was 1 yr old. I considered all things and that was what was best for me, when you are sure you are done with having more children a tubal is the way to go. The "natural" methods will surly give you another child sooner or later. Hope hubby is recovering well, maybe give us an update on another thread. Blessings

-- Tina (clia88@newmexico.com), January 17, 2001.

Response to Female adult ? r rated

Ummm, I would definitely NOT chose an IUD. Speaking from incredible experience here. Hospitalized for major infection about 27 years ago...(Gee thanks, Dalkon Shield!)

-- sheepish (WA) (rborgo@gte.net), January 17, 2001.

Response to Female adult ? r rated

Interesting subject! I know a few ladies that have used the "natural" methods successfully for years. I stopped using the pill a few years ago because my blood pressure was higher than normal. My doc told me that the shot and implants cause similar side effects as the pill, so those may not be for you. I have used condoms without any "mistakes" for several years, but I sure do miss the good ol' Today Sponge! Does anyone remember that? I thought they were great, but the manufacturer quit making them a few years back.

-- elle (eagle-quest@juno.com), January 17, 2001.

Response to Female adult ? r rated

Be careful of the IUD's. They were recalled several years ago and women had to have them removed. Don't know what their status is today.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), January 18, 2001.

Response to Female adult ? r rated

I had an IUD once. For three days. During which I lost a TON of blood (read: an extra large pad completely soaked through every two hours, day and night). I started getting very pale very fast. Real serious cramping and blood clots the size of chicken livers. OK, sorry to be so graphic, but it was a BAD experience. It all cleared up nicely once I had the thing removed, though.

Vasectomies, on the other hand, are great! 9 years and no kids yet, nothing to remember, nothing to wear, and my partner said it wasn't much trouble to get either. My two cents.

-- Laura Jensen (lrjensen@nwlink.com), January 18, 2001.



Response to Female adult ? r rated

Thanks again everyone...Tina we have 4 kids,#1 big suprise,#2 planned and #3&4 Twins really big suprise.#1 3,and 4 were all different birth control methodes.I was going to get my tubes tied when the twins were born{c-section}but 2 factores played into it.#1 they were born @ a Catholic hospital so they would not allow it and 2 still not sure if I want more.Some days yes other days no but I want the choice.Thanks again everyone .I was not sure if I should post it here or not.

-- renee oneill{md.} (oneillsr@home.com), January 18, 2001.

Response to Female adult ? r rated

Definitely get ahold of Planned Parenthood -- this is their specialty, and they'll be upfront about all complications & risks. I've known several men with vasectomies, none of whom had any complications, and one had his reversed when he remarried & then retied (3 kids by his first marriage, 2 by his 2nd.) If you are really regular, the natural method can be fine, particularly if you avoid sex altogether during the "dangerous" time. The main thing to remember is that sperm can live 3-5days after they've been "let out of the house", though the egg only lives for 24 hours. It always amazes me that men will allow any surgical or chemical barbarism happen to their beloved, rather than deal with a few days' discomfort. If you are not regular, you are playing with fire.

-- snoozy (allen@oz.net), January 18, 2001.

Response to Female adult ? r rated

the dr. tol me when i got my vasectomy"take 2 cold cans of beer, sit in your favorite chair,put 1 can between your legs the other in your hand. when the one in your hand is empty replace with the 1 between your legs, and have your wife get you another for between your legs.repeat as needed.i watched our kids bein' born,if she could go through that i could go through sometin' too.it don't hurt that much.i'd rather have a vasectomy than go to the dentist!

7 years no surprises.happy member of the V-Club.

-- fred in wi (sixuvusmeyers@aol.com), January 18, 2001.


Response to Female adult ? r rated

Renee, After my 3rd C-section the doc said I should not have anymore because of uterus stretching so thin it tore during labor (I had been atempting a v-bac). Tearing apparently had nothing to do with previous section as much as it did with baby size (1st 7-14, 2nd 9-12, and 3rd 9-8..and a girl to boot). Doc pulled dh aside and put the fear in him without me present. So we've gone almost 6 years now with dh using condom, me using spermicide. Actually using 2 condoms at one time. (I do NOT want to hear from the men concerning what they think about this.) I have found the Vaginal Contraceptive Film (VCF) to be the most tolerable and have not had irritation as with others.

After talking with different people we decided against tubal ligation because of potential for complications, no vasectomy for same reasons, no pill for same reasons, and no IUD for same reasons.

We figure that if I still get pg inspite of our precautions, then it was meant to be. I will have to have a scheduled c-section 2 weeks before due date. It is doable and no more risky than for women who have gestational diabetes, toximia, multiple births, incompetent cervixs, or any other miriad problems we may have. Probably even less risky than some of those.

If it is not a health risk to get pg again, my opinion is take the least invasive route possible and the least hormonal intervention possible.

Besides all that....intercourse is not the only way to enjoy each other.

-- Heather (heathergorden@hotmail.com), January 18, 2001.


Response to Female adult ? r rated

Renee, tell hubby not to be a wuss! I got "fixed" almost thirty years ago, and have had no regrets. In fact, did you know that vasectomy used to be prescribed for impotence? That wasn't my problem (my "problem" was caring for my planet, and thus wanting to do my part to help control the popultation), but it has sure been nice not to have to worry about whether it was safe to have sex without an unwanted pregnancy. Great sex!

JOJ (shooting blanks and loving it)

-- jumpoffjoe (jumpoff@echoweb.net), January 18, 2001.


Response to Female adult ? r rated

Tina , your lucky my Drs. would not do my tubes at 21.

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), January 18, 2001.

Response to Female adult ? r rated

If you are still interested in Natural Family Planning, try http://www.ccli.org, the Couple to Couple League. Please don't use an IUD or any other chemical method if you can help it...besides the problems mentioned in earlier methods, these do allow occasional ovulations and fertilizations to occur, but thus result in an early abortion because the fertilized egg cannot implant. And don't do anything you might later regret i.e. sterilization. NFP, when practiced properly is 99% effective!

-- Christina (introibo2000@yahoo.com), January 19, 2001.

Response to Female adult ? r rated

Since you did say you weren't sure whether you wanted anymore, I would say definatly do NOT do the vasectomy or tubes tied! And if you suffer from cramps at all, I wouldn't recommend the IUD. Also the 3-month shot, while it is nice in some respects (no periods=no cramps, yeah!), will usually cause weight gain (somewhere around 5-10 pounds the first year you're on it, and 3-5 every year after that), and if you do decide to want another one, it could take you up to 3 years to get pregnant. This is all info that is stated right on the papers they give you with the shot.

Just about any method you use, other than abstinance (and where's the fun in that?!) has its risks. I guess just do as much research as you can and then go from there. I'd see if a local church has any info on any Natural Family Planning seminars that are in your area.

Of course, if you get pregnant, at least you know you're safe for nine months..... ;)

-- Ali (philipandaleta@juno.com), January 20, 2001.


Response to Female adult ? r rated

Having been circumsized and watching my son's get the same operation (jewish tradition & law), I really don't want another knife going anywhere near me privates. Actually, all kidding aside, your husband may have a point. Make sure that once you do convince him to get "the job done", he asks the doctor about prostate problems. There is a small percentage of men that are prone to impotence, cancer, etc., once a vasectomy is done.

Good luck.

-- Barney (bfrankel@home.com), January 23, 2001.


Heather, it's interesting that the doctor said your uterus tore because of the baby. Interestingly, our uteruses are made to deal with babies, including very big ones, so tearing for that reason is rare. I always trusted implicitly that our bodies can handle what they are supposed to handle! Is it possible you tore because of the scar tissue from the previous sections? I do know that scaring can weaken the uterine wall, making VBAC impossible for some ladies.

-- amy (acook@in4web.com), January 24, 2001.

this is an old thread-but vicki-vascetomies are not 100% neither are tubals. #4 was after a v, when i had my tubes done after he came along (10lbs) the dr said-1 in 10,000 chance of failure here and another preg. and that's because i had an ovary removed at the same time. there is no 100% prevention except abstinance. renee, i have no answer. i just pray every month for my period and pray i will hit menopause early!! 4 kids is enough. if i should get pregnant again, i'll know it is the will of G. and i will love it as i do the ones i have now, but i'll cry again.

-- laura (okgoatgal@hotmail.com), April 03, 2002.

Laura if you had a child after your husbands vasectomy than he did not go back for his last visit, in which they take a sperm sample to see if it worked or not! If you read the literature, which I did back in 1984, pregnancies that were reported after tubals were usually etopic. Praying to not get pregnant, while having sex isn't really birthcontrol or taking control of your life, then turning around and crying while thanking God and saying it is his will? Be strong, take control.......heavens girl you don't let the bucks all run with the does do you? Give yourself a chance at happiness, if a baby will make you cry than you do not want anymore, you need to come for a visit! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (Nubians) (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), April 03, 2002.

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