BlogHer - birth control - Comments

Yes, let's sweep Abortion under the rug

TomtheRedhunter — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 06:14:12 -0500

Yes yes, abortion is only a small part of what they do, so that makes everything else they do ok.

And as Lila Rose of Live Action has documented, let's not forget that people at Planned Parenthood clinics have a history of covering up statuatory rape. But let's ignore that, too.

Whatever good PP does cannot and does not cover up for those facts. We don't need a pro-abortion organization like PP for pap smears and all the rest of it. Congress should act immediately do defund this organization and give the money to true health organization that do not have political agendas.

Stats on PP services

Suzanne Reisman — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:14:11 -0500

What's interesting is that I got these stats from PP's website directly - they really tout the other services they offer and how little of the services they perform are abortion services. In a way, though, that makes me sad, too. If there's nothing wrong with offering abortions, then why not say that you performed X number of abortions with equal pride done in presenting the numbers of other services. Of course, they can't do so because our entire debate about abortion is framed by those who think it should be illegal no matter what, and their stats would be used against them.

Suzanne Reisman, Contributing Editor - Feminism & Gender Campaign for Unshaved Snatch (CUSS) & Other Rants

You said it.

kdg — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:31:15 -0500

You said something here that I have been saying for years. I wrote a huge treatise on this in the comments section for a donation card to Planned Parenthood even (I'm really not a crackpot, it just hit my button that day). Those opposing availability of birth control and abortion are trying to paint planned parenthood as an extremist organization at the polar opposite of the ProLife movement. PP supporters are often guilty of taking this bait and positioning themselves in this far end of the spectrum as well. This is dangerous, since the extreme and polar opposite would be "pro abortion". Despite what some folks try to tell you about planned parenthood trying to drum up abortions for some profit motive, this is not what PP is about, nor anyone who works there or supports it. PP is there for reproductive health regardless of ability to pay. If folks want to stop abortions at PP, they need to stop harassing women getting pap smears and praying outside of clinics and start getting at the root causes of unwanted pregnancies. I would support that effort and so, probably, would Planned Parenthood.

Woohoo FireDad! We talked

Leighbra — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:53:18 -0500

Woohoo FireDad! We talked about a vasectomy, but we weren't 100% sure we were done. 5 years later, we're still not sure...

Good for your husband, it's awesome when the man takes so much responsibility for the BC in the relationship. I swear, the next man I hear say that tubal ligation and a vasectomy are anything alike may just get kicked in the....manly bits.

I heart my IUD

AmberS — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:45:52 -0500

I have a Mirena IUD, which only lasts 5 years, but it contains small doses of progesterone making it more effective than the copper kind. Also, it doesn't have the downside of heavier periods that the copper ones have - just the opposite.

I know many women who use them. They're a really good option for the not-quite-decided set. I would recommend it without hesitation. Plus, it's supposed to be one of the most ecologically-friendly choices, too. Really, it's so many kinds of goodness the whole way around.

~ Amber

www.strocel.com

Highly recommend TCOYF

ynnej — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:55:29 -0500

I highly recommend the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Wesschler. I learned from this book how to avoid pregnancy by watching my body's fertility signs and avoiding on those days. It even has a chapter on pre-menopause methodology. I had no idea how messed up the Pill had made my hormones/emotions until I quit taking it. When I wanted to get pregnant, the fertility awareness helped, and there is a chapter on how to right back up on the avoiding-pregnancy after I have this baby. I don't plan to use hormonal birth control ever again!

http://www.ConscientiousConfusion.com

http://www.afamilyis.us

Diaphragm!

Kelly Logan — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:38:56 -0500

I know, it's very old-fashioned, but I refuse to put hormones inside my body. It's working for me.I use it with a spermicide and have had no problems whatsoever.

Kelly

Lots

JennaHatfield — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:52:52 -0500

I honestly can't recall, off the top of my head, how many women I know, online and in real life, who have gone the IUD route. No one has yet become pregnant. No one has had any issues other than one had very bad cramping for a week.

We decided not to go this route because my husband *wanted* a vasectomy. Let's give the man a round of applause for taking us the cheapest, fail-safe route possible. (He was tested at 1, 3 and 6 months out. We're good.)

@FireMom from Stop, Drop and Blog and
The Chronicles of Munchkin Land

I love my Mirena

Leighbra — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 04:39:15 -0500

I can't speak highly enough about my IUD.

Depo Provera would leave me a blubbering mess near the end of the 3 month cycle, every. single. time. Finally our pediatrician told me she loved her Mirena.

I love love love it. I don't have to think about it (once a month-ish you check placement), it doesn't drive my hormones/moods crazy, I don't get my periods (some women say they would hate that, well, those women are not me), and I've had none of the side effects.

Nobody I know personally (3 aunts, plus maybe a baker's dozen of friends) have had any problems.

Insertion wasn't a huge deal, menstrual like cramping for awhile(~36 hours). And while I thought I would be totally wigged out by having a foreign body in me at all times, I don't even think about it. It's sorta like thinking about your fillings, they're just there, minding their own business.

I am due to get mine replaced this summer, and will do so happily! 5 years at a shot? I can totally handle that!

Down to the squeamishy parts...

If you are reserved about feeling where the strings come out of your cervix, you'll need to consider that part. It IS important to check the placement from time to time.

I didn't gain any weight that I can attribute to the IUD (a couple pounds over 5 years? that's like a extra soda a week)

I've never had a pregnancy scare (close your ears, squeamish types!) and it's not for lack of chances. Both of my pregnancies were surprises, and we don't exactly wait til Thursday night, or the 15th of the month to have sex. There have been maybe 1500 possible times for me to get pregnant since I got my IUD, and no issues what-so-ever. (yeah, guesstimated with a calculator)

BUT, if you do get pregnant, it can be really scary with an IUD. Ectopic pregnancies are a known risk. And even if the egg implants correctly, the IUD in the uterus can cause significant problems. Weigh this risk VERY carefully in your mind before choosing an IUD.

So, um, yeah, I think the IUD is something we should be promoting as viable birth control. ***For women in monogamous relationships*** But that's because I have nothing bad to say about it. I love mine, and release the flood-gates of IUD fan-girl gushing when any of my friends shows an interest in a new BC. I only wish people would ask me more often ;)

Tubal

GoodByeGracie — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:00:42 -0500

*I* wanted to be the one who took permanent measures because pregnancy was so difficult for my body. So I opted for a tubal after our 4th child was born. We knew our family was complete with 4 kids and, while I do miss the newborn/baby age, I do not want any more children because we have begun a whole new chapter as an older family and we're just now beginning to understand the new freedom that comes with not having any more babies at home.

*Laurie*

http://kidsinthesuburbs.blogspot.com/

I reluctantly returned to the pill

phdinparenting — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:56:56 -0500

I just recently reluctantly returned to the pill. I am 95% sure that we are done having kids, but I don't want to do anything permanent yet. I haven't considered an IUD because the idea of having something inside me all the time that I can't take out kind of freaks me out. Maybe it is an irrational fear, but I can't get passed it.

I hate taking the pill. I used to not mind it and after 13 years of taking it I got good at taking it religiously. But now after almost 6 years of not taking it and having major mommy brain, I'm finding it really hard to remember to take it.

I also took Depo Provera for a while before having my first child and didn't like it at all. I gained weight and lost my libido completely.

So, for now, I'm reluctantly taking the pill.

PhD in Parenting - http://phdinparenting.com

Thank you!

DelRey — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:27:41 -0500

Great post and good reminders, although I disagree about not marrying in your 20s... I believe that if you've got a great guy that you're in love with who wants to start a family - well, this is a rare thing that you shouldn't let slip away. But I guess the grass is always greener. I'm in my 20s, and I'd love to have found someone like that by now.

This is also a nice counterpoint to this depressing article from about a year ago: http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200803/single-marry

I do think that it must be a horrible feeling to be a 40-something woman who wants biological children but has no partner at that point in her life. When I think about the horrors of fertility treatments and all the expense to boot - not to mention that pregnancy tends to be easier and the genetic material is "healthier" in your 20s vs. later on. I've reached the conclusion that it's better to start a family too early than too late, if you know that you're going to want kids at some point.

Keeping on keeping on

AmberS — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:06:45 -0500

I'm on maternity leave right now. It feels a little uncertain, being away from work in this economic climate. I feel a little vulnerable. But at the same time, I agree with you. We will get through this. And for me, right now, a better future includes the baby in my arms. In a few years it might mean a vasectomy for my husband. But in the meantime I will continue living my life, because that's all I can do.

~ Amber

www.strocel.com

And now a word from an actual vasectomy survivor

Daddy Scratches — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:16:57 -0500

Got mine done a few years ago, after the birth of our second child. It wasn't so much an economically driven decision for us, but rather more of a mental health issue ... as in, had we gone on to have a third child, my mental health would have deteriorated to an irreversible point.

Having said that, one of the lesser reasons I didn't want to have more than two was because of the financial ramifications. It wouldn't have been the deciding factor, but it was a significant footnote.

(And I really should have more shame and humility than to want to share this with anybody, particularly the technological equivalent of a roomful of women, but ... here's a firsthand account of what it's like to go through the whole vasectomy thing.)

Totally worth it, despite how it sounds.

You might be a redneck if you get a vasectomy...

sandhillsis — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 08:07:50 -0500

in a double wide trailer house, like my DH. The highly rated urologist was building a brand new building, the double wide was his temporary office. But still. I was shocked and turned and said "You think they'll give you a shot of whiskey and stick to bite down on."

Needless to say DH's color drained and he walked a little slower to the door. HA.

Getting the big SNIP is a great, cost effective way to go, we are glad we did it.

Sandhill Sis

www.reclaimsimplicity.com

Discover how rich and hilarious life can be when it's simple. Tales and tips on making money mind, riding the recycle, simple food, homegrown music, gardening and more.