In most cases, missing a menstrual cycle would mean that a woman is pregnant. Today many women resort to birth control to delay or prevent a pregnancy. Birth control methods like natural methods, barrier methods, hormonal methods and permanent methods are a matter of individual choice.
Having a child is a big adjustment in a woman’s life. Birth control methods are adopted by a woman if she feels she is not ready for a child. She has to ask herself the question, “Am I prepared to have a child? Am I ready?”
There are several methods to avoid a pregnancy. These methods can either give temporary or permanent prevention. Temporary or reversible method can be used to prevent conception without any effect on fertility. Permanent prevention is where the process is irreversible as this method involves surgery.
Types of Methods
Natural method
This method does not involve any hormonal intake or surgery. It is essential to study a woman’s menstrual cycle and make efforts to watch out for signs and symptoms for ovulation. During ovulation period, sexual intercourse should be avoided as the woman is highly fertile. The egg is ready to be fertilized by the sperm. These methods can also be called as fertility awareness methods.
Withdrawal
The man withdraws his penis from the vagina before ejaculation so that the sperm does not enter the vagina. This method is however not completely effective as
Breastfeeding
A nursing mother may not ovulate during breastfeeding. She may become fertile only 10-12 weeks after her delivery. But sometimes the nursing mother may start ovulating even before her menstrual cycle resumes. Care must be taken to have protected sex during this time.
Barrier methods
These are methods which bar the entry of the sperm into the vagina. The methods may include condoms, female condoms, contraceptive sponge, and other doctor prescribed methods like diaphragm and cervical cap. Spermicides are also contraceptive agents which kill the sperm and do not allow any contact with the egg.
Hormonal methods
The hormones can be estrogen or progesterone. They can be taken orally, implanted into the tissue, injected, absorbed from a patch or placed in the vagina.
A nursing mother however cannot take a combination of estrogen and progesterone. She will not be able to use the patch, vaginal ring or take combination pills. Estrogen will affect the baby and also the milk supply. A nursing mother can resort to only progesterone control methods. These can be mini pills, Depo-Provera.
If you don’t find these methods worth the risk, you can always utilize other pregnancy prevention methods.
Intrauterine Devices
These devices are inserted by the doctors into the vagina. None of these devices affect lactation. Women can easily resort to this method after their delivery.
Permanent contraceptive methods
Surgical sterilization is permanent birth control methods where the partners have decided not to have children in future. The surgeries may be performed on the man or the woman. They include vasectomy, tubal ligation, selective tubal occlusion procedure and hysterectomy (removal of the uterus).
Abstinence
Abstinence is where the man and woman refrain from having any sexual intercourse. It is 100% effective pregnancy prevention method and there can be no fear if there is complete control over one’s self.
- Related Articles
- Related Q&A
- A Healthy Way to Lose Weight After Pregnancy
- Start Breastfeeding
- DOES BREASTFEEDING HELP TO GET RID OF BABY FAT?
- Allergies at Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding - a Father's Perspective
- Getting Pregnant While Breastfeeding - Tips To Deal With Its Various Challenges
- Breastfeeding During Pregnancy – is it Ok?
- Planning the Perfect Maternity Wardrobe for Breastfeeding




twin pregnancy,pregnant with twin babies,worried? we discuss a twin pregnancy
By: Sheila Sudlow Of Cheeky Chums | 11/12/2009shocked to discover a twin pregnancy,Are you pregnant with twin babies,worried? we discuss a twin pregnancy.
Health benefits of using a maternity pillow
By: Andre Savoie | 11/12/2009Pregnancy is an exciting time in a woman’s life, but it can also be an uncomfortable period of time, as one adjusts to added weight and a changing center of gravity. Read more about how a maternity pillow can have healthy benefits by improving sleep and rest during pregnancy.
Why Your Wife Needs A Pregnancy Body Pillow
By: Andre Savoie | 11/12/2009Looking for a great gift idea for your wife during pregnancy? Guys it’s time to get in touch with your softer side…find out why your wife needs a specially designed pregnancy body pillow.
Help Getting Pregnant - 5 Best Tips on Getting Pregnant Fast and Naturally
By: Anna Davies | 10/12/2009What are the best tips on getting pregnant fast? Do you long to hold a baby in your arms, but you and your partner are finding it incredibly hard to conceive? Truth to be told, there are a many women around the globe who are burdened with the inability to get pregnant.
Do You Want to Know How to Get Pregnant Fast? Discover Proven Natural Methods to Help You Conceive
By: Anna Davies | 10/12/2009Idea of "wanting now" is somehow familiar to all of us. If you want to know how to get pregnant fast you need to understand that this is not like going to the local store to buy groceries. If you have been seeking natural methods to assist you with conception, you are in the right place.
How to Get Pregnant Immediately - Learn How to Get Pregnant Fast and Naturally Within 2 Months
By: Anna Davies | 10/12/2009Would you like to discover how to get pregnant fast? Women who are having a difficulty conceiving will admit that amount of advice can be overwhelming sometimes. The problem that many of them face is they want to conceive more than anything in the world, yet their bodies are not doing their job how they should.
A late Miscarriage,loss of a baby,learning to cope premature baby loss,stillborn baby
By: Sheila Sudlow Of Cheeky Chums | 10/12/2009So many pregnancies end in a miscarriage its not far! its not nice! life has its ups and also its downs be encouraged you can dress baby with dignity and the respect he or she deserves from 5 inches in length we discuss Something Precious for babies passing away at bith.SENSITIVE TOPIC CAUTION
Eco Friendly Motherhood
By: Richard n Williams | 10/12/2009Having a baby and being a new parent can be a daunting time. Newborn babies take a lot of hard work, lots of sleepless nights and can cost the earth in more ways than one.
A Guide to Creating Photographic Holiday Cards
By: Apurva Shree | 01/12/2008 | Home & FamilyPhotographic holiday cards are one of the best ways to greet your loved ones on the occasion of a holiday event. If you look around in the market, you may be overwhelmed with the millions of choices available.
Get Well Cards to Show You Care
By: Apurva Shree | 01/12/2008 | Home & FamilySending get well cards is a good way of cheering somebody who is recuperating from an illness.
Christmas Cards - Try These Homemade Ideas
By: Apurva Shree | 01/12/2008 | Home & FamilyChristmas is a special occasion when you get a chance to spend precious time together with your friends and family.
Exciting Christmas Gift Ideas for the Festive Season
By: Apurva Shree | 01/12/2008 | HobbiesIf you want to see a smile on your loved one’s face when they receive an gift from you, then browsing through the following Christmas gift ideas could help you.
Gifts for the Mother – Some Innovative Ideas to Treat the Special Woman in Your Life
By: Apurva Shree | 01/12/2008 | HobbiesWhen you are choosing gifts for the mother, it is important to keep in mind that while receiving the gift your mother should feel that you care about her deeply and you want to make her feel special.
Same Day Payday Loans: No Need To Look At Other Options
By: Apurva Shree | 12/08/2008 | LoansWhy should you waste your time in looking for options other than the same day payday loans, when you can easily manage your short-term financial crisis with the their help? This cash advance tool is a hassle free and quick way to obtain funds when you are in dire need of money. Those who have used this facility agree that nothing is better than a savings account payday loan to handle such troubles.
Get Online Advance Payday Cash Loan For Instant Cash
By: Apurva Shree | 11/08/2008 | LoansOnline advance payday cash loan helps in meeting immediate requirements of the borrower. These payday loans are provided by financial organizations and can be accessed from any part of the world.
Benefits Of A No Fax Payday Loan
By: Apurva Shree | 11/08/2008 | LoansTo get no fax cash advance, search for the best company and fill the loan application form. This gives you freedom from all those long procedures that you have to face for getting approval of any other loan.