Community› The Bump Month Clubs› February 2013 Moms
February 2013 Moms
New Discussion

Interesting graphics on birth control

kelly321kelly321 member
in February 2013 Moms
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/09/birth-control_n_4070949.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009

What do you think? I'm wondering if FAM was given such a high rate of failure because people don't actually understand what it is and how to use it.

BFP1: DD1 born April 2011 at 34w1d via unplanned c/s due to HELLP, DVT 1 week PP
BFP2: 3/18/12, blighted ovum, natural m/c @ 7w4d
BFP3: DD2 born Feb 2013 at 38w4d via unplanned RCS due to uterine dehiscence

Report Reply to Post

Re: Interesting graphics on birth control

  • ATLdesiATLdesi member
    That would be my guess, kelly321 - I have this feeling that people associate it with "The Rhythm Method," which I relate to being based on the (inaccurate) belief that all women follow this perfect 28-day cycle, and ovulation occurs on Day 14.  I don't think it accounts for individual fertility signs or consistent tracking, either.
    DS born February 5, 2013

    Need tips for surviving cat allergies? Check out my bio! :)

    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • Puck1182Puck1182 member
    From what I gather, it's because the numbers are based on actual use, rather than perfect use.  There's a lot more room for "user error" with something like FAM compared to something like the pill or an IUD.  Also, I think people who use FAM are probably more open to the idea of an unplanned pregnancy, so there might be more of an inclination to "take a chance" if a couple is right on the edge of that fertile window.  So I guess it would be really be more of a semi-planned pregnancy.  I know that was the line of thinking for one of my friends, and she got pregnant on her wedding night!


    image
    Report Reply
  • wifeofadamwifeofadam member
    Puck1182 said:
    From what I gather, it's because the numbers are based on actual use, rather than perfect use.  There's a lot more room for "user error" with something like FAM compared to something like the pill or an IUD. 
    That was my thinking.  Of course a vasectomy, IUD, or tubal ligation is going to be more effective.  You can't really screw it up on your end.  Most of the time when pregnancies occur it's either the doctor's fault or something else completely out of your control.

    I think that FAM is EXTREMELY difficult to practice in our culture as a form of effective birth control.  Our diets and lifestyles throw off our fertility signs in so many ways that it is sometimes difficult to chart your fertility signs accurately.

    I also agree that most of the people who use FAM as birth control are usually open to the idea of another pregnancy.  DH and I got pregnant with #4 while using the rhythm method and charting my fertile signs (not temps - just signs that were obviously inaccurate because I was still breastfeeding).  I don't really count it as failure because we weren't really trying to prevent anything completely.
        
    Report Reply
  • penguingrrlpenguingrrl member
    My OB said straight up that she never recommends FAM to a couple that isn't open to the possibility of pregnancy. She said that women's cycles in general aren't nearly as predictable as it makes it sound. The biggest issue she sees with it is that you don't know for sure that you've ovulated until the temperature shifts after ovulation (at which point it's too late to begin to avoid) so you either have to remain abstinent from the start of your period until after the temperature dip or use protection that entire time. I charted for a while and discovered I ovulate any time between day 7 and day 16. So if I was relying on FAM exclusively I would need to avoid starting on day 2.
    imageimageBaby Birthday Ticker TickerBaby Birthday Ticker TickerBaby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • kelly321kelly321 member
    penguingrrl said:
    My OB said straight up that she never recommends FAM to a couple that isn't open to the possibility of pregnancy. She said that women's cycles in general aren't nearly as predictable as it makes it sound. The biggest issue she sees with it is that you don't know for sure that you've ovulated until the temperature shifts after ovulation (at which point it's too late to begin to avoid) so you either have to remain abstinent from the start of your period until after the temperature dip or use protection that entire time. I charted for a while and discovered I ovulate any time between day 7 and day 16. So if I was relying on FAM exclusively I would need to avoid starting on day 2.
    I have also Od pretty early in my cycle before, so if we were to use FAM to prevent (so far we've only used it to TTC), I would use protection until I was sure I had Od.

    BFP1: DD1 born April 2011 at 34w1d via unplanned c/s due to HELLP, DVT 1 week PP
    BFP2: 3/18/12, blighted ovum, natural m/c @ 7w4d
    BFP3: DD2 born Feb 2013 at 38w4d via unplanned RCS due to uterine dehiscence

    Report Reply
  • holly321holly321 member
    penguingrrl said:
    My OB said straight up that she never recommends FAM to a couple that isn't open to the possibility of pregnancy. She said that women's cycles in general aren't nearly as predictable as it makes it sound. The biggest issue she sees with it is that you don't know for sure that you've ovulated until the temperature shifts after ovulation (at which point it's too late to begin to avoid) so you either have to remain abstinent from the start of your period until after the temperature dip or use protection that entire time. I charted for a while and discovered I ovulate any time between day 7 and day 16. So if I was relying on FAM exclusively I would need to avoid starting on day 2.
    I too agree it is ok if you are open to another child. My cycles are usually 35-42 days. Had I not gotten pregnant with DS, my cycle would have been around25ish days. I also think it is a good idea to only have to use condoms about half the month.
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"