Hi, Moms. I'm looking for some suggestions about birth control. My husband and I are looking for a non-hormonal and non-abortifacient (sp?) method of birth control. I don't want to deal with any hormonal issues and mess with my bodies' normal delicate balance. And we are very prolife and don't want to take anything that would prevent a fertilized egg from implanting. I've been trying to look some options up online and haven't found out about anything new. And I go to a Catholic ob/gyn who doesn't prescribe birth control, so unless I change offices, I won't be getting much help there. I've looked into the permanent options of tubal ligations, vasectomies, and Essure and they all seem to have their share of risks and side effects too. I'm very familiar with NFP and used that to space the kids that we have, but I'd like something that I don't have to think about on a daily basis. Any help, Mommies?
Hi D.,
Have you thought about a Diaphram or a unterine cap.
Hope this helps.
All the best. D.
I'd go with the advice of a condom. It's just my personal opinion, but I don't support anything that involves willful sterilization or any other procedure that has it's roots in Eugenics.
With the condom, you can use it as you choose, or choose not to.
And if God really wants you to have another, then he'll find a way.
Some other Catholics think that using a condom thwarts God's will. I think that is silly. A little piece of latex sure as heck doesn't thwart God's divine will. If He wants you to have another child, then He will make it so, condom or not. :D
D.,
Just a thought, but you said you are very familiar with NFP. My hubby and I began a different type of NFP last year cecause of various reasons. One being I didn't want to put things into my body to alter it, we didn't have faith in what we were currently doing at the time and in my search I found a newer one I hadn't even heard of before.
It is called the Marquette Method and it is very easy. You use a fertility monitor to know when you are fertile. I know you may not be interested, but just wanted to throw it out there if you are.
We have been very happy with the accuracy and ease with which we can use it as well as how it doesn't change any of our moral objections. http://nfp.marquette.edu/ .
Good luck in your search:)! Feel free to email me should you be interested.
How about a condom and if you are concerned add spermicidal jelly? It is a non-abortive birth control. It is not prescribed by an Ob/Gyn and it can be used impulsively in the heat of the moment. When used correctly, a condom and added spermicidal jelly is 100% effective. Also, you don't have to think about it every day, just when the need arises.
Good luck in your decision.
Condoms have been my form of birth control for the last 4 years after my son's birth.
Fondly,
ann m.
If you are looking for permanent birth control, I recommend the Essure. I had it done 3 years ago ( a few months after my 3rd was born) and haven't had any side effects. The procedure is outpatient, and the only pain I felt afterward felt like mild menstrual cramps. I went to work the next day and only took 1 dose of Motrin. My insurance paid for everything except about $250 for the anesthesia. As far as risks, it's safer than tubals or vasectomies because it's non-surgical, so much less risk of infection. It's got the same failure rate as the other surgical methods (0.5%), and my husband and I decided that our 3rd was conceived while I was on the Pill, so God wanted us to have him. If God wants us to have a 4th, no amount of birth control is going to stop it, and we'll accept it. Good luck with your decision.
My husband had a vasectomy when we were done having children. It's an in and out procedure, that's not to say he didn't have some pain and swelling, but in all I'd say childbirth was much much worse. We figured I'd been pregnant for years! He could do this for a couple of hours.
It's worked out very well for us and now we are able to have a lot better relations because we don't have that extra worry anymore.
A barrier method is your only real option. Condoms (male or female), spermicide, diaphrams, etc. Good luck!
Hi D.,
If you know for sure that no matter what you would NEVER want to be pregnant again, I'd choose the permanent solution of the tubal ligation or the vasectomy. Of course there are risks, but they are so minor and rare that I wouldn't worry about them. I had a tubal ligation when I was 26, and I've never looked back. I realize that it was almost 17 years ago, but it was a breeze.
I enjoyed sex with my husband (now ex-husband) so much more knowing that the fear the pregnancy was not an issue, and I believe, so did he. And it has only gotten better as I've gotten older. Now in my forties, I'm looking forward to being married again to another husband and not having to worry about it. It is a little sad that I cannot have a child with the love of my life, but I'm looking forward to grandchildren someday.
My only caution is that you know FOR SURE that NO MATTER WHAT you would NEVER want to be pregnant again. No matter if you were to marry another man someday (due to divorce or widowhood), one of your children would die, etc. Think of all of the possible reasons why you might change your mind, and if you are still sure, then go ahead.
That is just my 2 pennies
L.
Hi my name is Pam. I will let you know that I had a tubal after my last child, she will be 18 in July and I have not had any problems or issues with having that done! So if you are definately done having children then that would be the option to take! I hope everything works out for you whatever you decide!
Pam
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My husband had a vascetomy a few years ago,it was simple and really no side effects.He was gone to the doc office and back within 30 minutes,back so soon,I thought he didn't get it done.He was back to work 3 days later (had it done on a Friday).This was best for us,although you have to make your own decision.
