Birth Control - Abortion

ABORTION

Initially, abortions have been illegal except when essential for safety III' health. When performed illegally, they have been subject to no controls. Those who performed them, including so-called doctors, often have been fly-by-night individuals with little or no medical knowledge, working under conditions not completely sanitary, trusting to luck that nothing would go wrong that could be traced to them. 

The death toll from illegal abortions has been tragically high, and the toll in illness and injury even higher. No accurate figures are available because so few cases have been reported. Sterility may result from an abortion, unreported and performed years earlier, and the abortion may not be suspected as the cause even by the victim herself. Some drugstores have carried on a lucrative under-the-counter business in drugs "guaranteed" to produce abortion. These are useless or dangerous drugs, and it has not been easy to obtain much information about their effects. Fortunately, there has been a trend recently to liberalization of abortion laws in some states.

While some people feel that destroying embryonic human life is never justified-and we respect the religious, ethical or moral grounds on which they base their opinions-we do not agree with them, and we are sure they will respect our viewpoint as we respect theirs. Our conviction is that the life of a mother should not be sacrificed or endangered, with all that means to her present children and possibly her future children, to maintain the life of an unborn infant whose survival chances often are slim. This places great responsibility upon physicians who must decide whether or not an abortion is necessary. In some cases, the decision may not be difficult. 

In a tubal or ectopic pregnancy, for example, the embryo develops outside the uterus, in the fallopian tube which leads into it from the ovary. Fortunately, this is a rare condition. Such embryos can- not survive; they die in one way or another, sometimes bursting through the tube. At that point, the danger to the mother's life is great. Therefore tubal pregnancy is considered a clear-cut reason for terminating pregnancy by removing the embryo rather than waiting for it to die, thus endangering the mother's life. Most cases are not so clear-cut. 

The doctor's decision may be a difficult one. But in many other circumstances doctors are used to, are forced to, make difficult decisions. They must do their best to decide wisely. One important reason for a woman to have a complete medical checkup prior to pregnancy is that in most cases it will indicate whether or not she can safely have a baby, avoiding need for a difficult decision -for her and for her doctor-after she has conceived.  

Birth Control - Suppository

A suppository, when inserted in the vagina a few minutes prior to intercourse, is melted by body heat. The melted greasy base coats the opening of the uterus and forms a barrier to sperm while the chemical kills the sperm. Although sound in principle, the suppository has not been found to be completely reliable. Sometimes it does not melt properly prior to ejaculation or when melted does not completely cover the mouth of the womb. 

Jellies and creams work on the same principle as suppositories. Inserted into the vagina with a special applicator, they are intended to block the opening into the uterus and destroy sperm. Since they are already in semi fluid form, they have an advantage over the suppository in not having to melt before the crucial moment. Tests on some jellies and creams have been promising. Your doctor will know if physicians conclusively demonstrate in the future that these methods are reliable.

 Coitus interrupts consists of withdrawing the penis from the vagina just prior to ejaculation. One of the oldest methods of birth control, mentioned in the Bible in the story of Oman who "spilled his seed upon the ground," it is still widely practiced. We do not recommend it for several reasons. Even if successfully practiced, it is not an adequate safeguard since sperm may leak out before actual ejaculation. It can cause tension and strain, placing heavy responsibility upon the man, who finds it no easy matter to exercise control while highly excited. He may become irritable, emotionally disturbed, and have guilt feelings if he fails. The wife's concern lest he should fail to withdraw at the proper moment is a source of fear, tension, and emotional difficulties for her as well.

Coitus interrupts does not permit development of the full love and tenderness that come when intercourse is completed with sexual organs united. The contraceptive techniques we have described here are the most common, but others exist. Every couple must decide which, if any, to use-and should discuss the subject with their doctor or a qualified person at a birth control clinic or family planning agency. Most large cities and many smaller ones have such services. Or you may write to Planned Parenthood-World Population, 515 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10023, for information.   

Birth Control - ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE PILL

ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE PILL

 The pill is a means of preventing ovulation, or egg release, thus making conception impossible. It became available as the result of the development of certain chemicals that be- have in a woman's body like the hormones that control the reproductive cycle. The pill is highly effective in avoiding conception when used exactly directed. As an example, one type requires that a woman take the first dose on the fifth day of her menstrual cycle and continue a daily dose for twenty consecutive days. One to three days after she has taken the last tablet, menstruation begins and the count starts again. The pill is considered reasonably safe in terms of health. In a small minority of women, it produces undesirable side effects. If you are considering using this method of preventing pregnancy, you should do so under the close supervision of your doctor, who will prescribe the tablets, warn you of possible side effects, and help you to be prepared to cope with them.

OTHER METHODS OF BIRTH CONTROL

 These consist of douches, suppositories, jellies and creams, and coitus interrupts, all of them unsatisfactory in varying degree. Douches are intended to wash out or kill the sperm before conception can occur. Since it is usually impossible to wash all sperm from the vagina, emphasis is placed on killing them by chemical means. Often, sperm have already reached the uterus before a woman has a chance to wash out the seminal fluid. By then it may be too late. Women may find it disturbing to douche immediately after intercourse, a time when they may want most to relax.

As we have noted previously, in most women sexual feelings do not end abruptly and they want, and need, some relaxation and affection after coitus. We advise avoiding use of advertised douches containing chemicals such as creosol or hypochlorite. Except on a doctor's prescription, we think it best not to use anything except a little salt or vinegar in a douche. So-called feminine hygiene douches are not effective for contraception and are not necessary for cleanliness. Suppositories are capsules made of gelatin or cocoa butter which contain a sperm-destroying chemical ingredient.