Methods of Birth Control

Managing Your Fertility

You should realize that pregnancy, childbirth, and reproductive issues are not to be taken lightly. The choices between different types of birth control and the ethical issues surrounding fertility are complex. It’s important to take control of your own fertility and to share this responsibility in your relationships. Is birth control an option for you? Have you considered birth control options and which would be most appropriate for you? Be sure to examine all potential side effects and drug interactions. The following questions can help you determine your level of readiness regarding reproduction and sexual health.
Checklist For Change

Making Personal Choices

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If you are in a stable relationship and are considering having a child, is it something both you and your partner want?
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Do you know and feel comfortable with your philosophical beliefs about children?
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Do you feel comfortable discussing birth control with your partner?
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Do you feel comfortable choosing a method of birth control that meets the needs of both yourself and your partner?
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Are you familiar with the resources available if you have trouble conceiving?
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Have you discussed alternatives should you become or get someone pregnant?

Making Community Choices

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Have you taken the time to become educated about the issues and concerns related to parenting?
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Do you listen with an open mind to issues involving reproduction and sexual health and then make informed decisions?
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When you think about having children, do you think of it in terms of long-range planning?
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Are you an advocate for people making choices that are in their best interest, regardless of your own personal philosophy or opinions?
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Do you believe in providing support for community agencies and social services that assist in meeting the sexual and reproductive health needs of your community?
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Do you try to volunteer your time to other people or agencies that may need your assistance?

Summary

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Only latex condoms, when used correctly for oral sex or intercourse, are effective in preventing sexually transmitted diseases. Other contraceptive methods include abstinence, outercourse, oral contraceptives, foams, jellies, suppositories, creams, the female condom, the diaphragm, the cervical cap, intrauterine devices, withdrawal, Norplant, Depo-Provera, and the vaginal ring. Fertility awareness methods rely on altering sexual practices to avoid pregnancy. Sterilization is permanent contraception.
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Abortion is currently legal in the United States through the second trimester. Abortion methods include vacuum aspiration, dilation and evacuation(D&E), dilation and curettage(D&C), hysterotomy, induction abortion, and RU-486 “abortion pills.”
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Parenting is a demanding job requiring careful planning. Emotional health, maternal health, financial evaluation, and contingency planning all need to be taken into account.
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Prenatal care includes a complete physical exam within the first trimester, avoidance of alcohol and drugs, cigarettes, X-rays, and chemicals having teratogenic effects. Full-term pregnancy covers three trimesters.
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Childbirth occurs in three stages. Birth alternatives include the Lamaze, Harris, “childbirth without fear,” and Leboyer methods. Parents should jointly make decisions about labor early in the pregnancy to be better prepared for labor when it occurs. Complications of pregnancy and childbirth include miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, and cesarean section.
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Infertility in women may be caused by pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis. In men, it may be caused by low sperm count. Treatment may include alternative insemination, in vitro fertilization, gamete intrafallopian transfer, nonsurgical embryo transfer, and embryo transfer. Surrogate motherhood involves hiring a fertile woman to be alternatively inseminated by the male partner.