Life begins at fert., so what bc method?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-15-2003
Life begins at fert., so what bc method?
14
Thu, 02-12-2004 - 10:53pm
I have a question for all of you who believe that life begins at conception (fertilization.) What birth control method are you using?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2003
Thu, 02-12-2004 - 11:04pm
Not using it for birth control just yet as I am not having sex :), but my doctor is teaching me billings ovulation method/marquette model. He recommends Marquette.

I suppose when it comes around I'll temp too, just for added reassurance.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-19-2003
Thu, 02-12-2004 - 11:12pm
I have been using the OrthoEvra patch. As far as I am aware, hormonal methods prevent pregnancy in 3 ways. By suppressing ovulation so that your eggs aren't released at all, by thickening your cervical mucus so that your partners little swimmers have a reaaaaallly hard time getting where they want to go, and finally by thining the lining of the uterus so that even if conception does occur, the fertilized egg will not be able to cling to anything. That last part can be a little hard to swallow, but though I don't know the statistics, I do know that it's very very rare to conceive while on hormonal birth control. The pill is the same way as the patch. Perhaps the most ethical choice for someone with your views might be the Depo Provera shot. This is a quote from the information pamphlet that my GYN gave me about Depo.

"DEPO-PROVERA Contraceptive Injection acts by preventing your egg cells from ripening. If an egg is not released during your menstrual cycle, it cannot become fertilized be sperm and result in pregnancy."

I have never tried Depo, but that's just my 2 cents :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-15-2003
Thu, 02-12-2004 - 11:26pm
I use the patch, which prevents ovulation, so no fertilization takes place.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-15-2003
Thu, 02-12-2004 - 11:47pm
Doesn't the patch work the same way as the pill? I thought it was the same hormones, just released a different way (transdermal vs. oral) I'm almost positive about this.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-15-2003
Thu, 02-12-2004 - 11:52pm
Thanks for your response. But Depo actually works the same way. This is in a 'Beginnings' magazine I was reading:

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Basically all hormonal methods have this effect of changing the lining.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-15-2003
Thu, 02-12-2004 - 11:53pm
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I suppose when it comes around I'll temp too, just for added reassurance.>>

What is the billings/marquette model? Is this a form of NFP? Any information would be great. Thanks!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2003
Fri, 02-13-2004 - 12:35am
Billings method watches for fertile cervical mucus. Depending on how important it is for you to avoid conception it offers different rules. You can either wait to have unprotected sex until after ovulation, or if you are willing to take a little more risk you can have sex every other day until you start to see signs of fertility. www.woomb.org and www.boma-usa.org have info.

The sympto-thermal method also has you take your temperature every day. But the spike only tells you after ovulation has occurred.

The Marquette Model combines all that with using the Clear Blue Fertility Monitor. It costs $200 for the monitor and there are test strips to buy every month, so it is pricey, but it is an option if you want some added reassurance. Its not approved for use on its own--you must use it in conjunction with another method. www.marquette.edu/nursing/nfp. (click on definition)

The above websites come from a religious perspective, so if you aren't into that everyone on here recommends Toni Weschler's book.

Also I should add you should practice for 3 months before using NFP and I have found it very helpful to have a doctor (or someone else trained in the method) to ask questions to since with this method mistakes are unforgiving.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 02-13-2004 - 1:56am

Hi mrsalwriter,


Are you trying to find a viable bc method for you?


Combined estrogen/progesterone pills work primarily by inhibiting ovulation, and they're very effective at this.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2003
Fri, 02-13-2004 - 10:48am
Sure, it is good as a backup, but the pill interferes way too much for me to ever be able to use FAM with it reliably to make sure there is no fertilization. It also just isn't necessary. If you are trained in the method, you don't need hormones. A lot of women see that as the biggest plus.

And just because it might happen naturally that you lose a fertilized egg doesn't mean it is ok for some of us out here to have a hand in its cause.

I'm not preaching, we all can believe what we want. But this person believes life begins at fertilization. As do I. We need access to info on birth control that doesn't violate our beliefs--not convincing that our worries are silly. I hope I have given her some. All of the information I gave her came straight from my doctor, who luckily takes my beliefs seriously and is willing to work with me on them.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-13-2003
Fri, 02-13-2004 - 10:49am
Thanks for the info. I am not willing to take the risk of losing a baby, even if it's "rare." I'm just not willing to take this risk. So I definitely won't be taking the pill in any form. I understand that this happens sometimes , even if you're not using any bc, but I would never intentionally do anything to *cause* the baby to not be able to implant. This is irresponsible IMO. But I will be looking into that book you mentioned to see what options I have. Thanks!

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