For a healthy, sexually active woman with normal periods of fertility, the chances of becoming pregnant are quite high. But there are times when a healthy, sexually active woman does not wish to become pregnant. At these times, a woman may choose to actively prevent pregnancy using birth control.

The first question a woman has to ask herself about pregnancy is if there will be a right time in the future. For some women the answer may be that the time will be right in a few months, or a few years. Other women may have made the decision for any number of reasons that pregnancy has no place in their future at any time. An examination of this question, together with discussions with her partner when appropriate, can help a woman make her birth control choice.

Birth control has almost as many names as there are methods, family planning, contraception, pregnancy prevention, and fertility control, to name a few. Essentially all birth control methods are the same at their core level: they prevent a woman’s egg from becoming fertilized by a man’s sperm. Some birth control methods are an ideal choice for the “not now” answer to pregnancy, while there are a few methods that are only suited to the “not ever” answer. These methods are reversible, and permanent, respectively. A reversible method does not permanently affect fertility, and can be stopped any time a woman desires to try to conceive. A permanent method is just what the name implies: it usually is non-reversible and generally fertility removed by these methods cannot be restored.

There are several times of reversible birth control methods: barrier methods (condoms, for example), hormonal methods (birth control pills), mechanical methods (IUDs), and natural methods (rhythm methods, for example). It is important to note that most forms of birth control do not protect against diseases which are transmitted by sexual activity; that concern must be addressed separately.

Permanent Surgical Sterilization

Permanent methods of birth control are revered to as sterilization. Men who are certain they do not wish to father children have the option of choosing a vasectomy. A vasectomy involves the surgical closing of the spermatic duct through which sperm travels out of the man’s body during orgasm; this is done by cutting the duct and closing each of the resulting ends of the vessel. This surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia by a urologist or specialty surgeon. After a vasectomy has been performed, a man’s sperm do not exit his penis during orgasm, and therefore he cannot fertilize the woman’s egg. A vasectomy does not affect a man’s ability to achieve an erection, perform sexually, and it does not noticeably affect his semen except on a microscopic level.

Permanent surgical sterilization for women generally takes the form of tubal ligation. In this method, a woman receives general anesthesia. The surgeon then identifies the Fallopian tubes (the vessel in which the eggs travel from the woman’s ovaries to her uterus) and closes it by clipping or cutting it, and then tying, cauterizing or otherwise sealing the ends. This is often done as an outpatient procedure and typically takes from one-half hour to 45 minutes. Tubal ligation carries some risks, including bleeding, infection, and the other risks related to receiving general anesthesia. However, it has a high rate of pregnancy prevention (98%) and is more likely to be successfully reversed than a vasectomy.

Mechanical Methods: Intrauterine Devices

Intrauterine devices, or IUDs are a type of birth control classified as mechanical, though the exact method in which they work is not fully understood. It is though that the presence of an IUD in a woman’s uterus causes a brief inflammation response localized to the uterus, while also affecting cervical mucus in a way that inhibits the passage of sperm into the uterus. An IUD is a small “T” shaped polyethylene plastic device that is inserted into the uterus. A small string protrudes through the cervix into the vaginal canal; this helps the woman and doctor know when the device is properly inserted and allows the woman to verify that it has not been expelled from the body. Some IUDs are made of and emit small amounts of copper, while some release small amounts of the hormone progesterone to further help prevent pregnancy.

“On The Pill”

Hormonal birth control, such as the oral contraceptive pill, are one of the most popular forms of contraception. Hormonal forms of birth control include oral pills, injectables, the contraceptive patch, the vaginal ring, etc. All are based on delivering hormones into a woman’s body. Birth control pills may contain one or more synthetic hormones and are typically called combination or mini pills. Side effects of using hormonal methods of birth control include breast tenderness, nausea while the body is adapting to the hormonal changes, vaginal bleeding, etc.

Preventing Pregnancy Nature’s Way

Natural methods of preventing pregnancy rely not on surgery, medication, or other devices, but rather instead on knowing how a woman’s body works and timing sexual activity for a time when fertilization is very unlikely to occur. Natural methods are safe methods in that they are free from the side effects possible with surgery and drugs. However, they must be followed stringently to be reliable. All methods involve determining when a woman is fertile. The Calendar method uses a calendar to track a woman’s menstrual cycle to make this determination. The Basal Body Temperature (BBT) method tracks the changes that occur in a woman’s body temperature when ovulation takes place. The Family Awareness Method (FAM) involves looking for other signs and symptoms of ovulation. Some methods use more than one way to determine fertile periods.

Am I pregnant? That’s a question every woman has likely asked herself at some time. Pregnancy can be a very exciting time. It is also, at times, something you wish to avoid. Therefore knowledge of pregnancy tests and birth control methods is something every woman of childbearing age needs to have.

Pregnancy Tests

Pregnancy tests look for the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin, or HCG, a hormone often called the pregnancy hormone. HCG is produced by pregnant women and is found in their blood and urine. While early pregnancy has definite symptoms that can be recognized by a trained healthcare provider (and some by moms to be!) official confirmation of a pregnancy is done through a pregnancy test.

Urine tests are the most commonly used test for pregnancy. They are inexpensive, and can be performed conveniently in the privacy of home. Blood tests, on the other hand, are always performed at a doctor’s office or medical facility. Urine tests can detect HCG in the urine generally two weeks following ovulation, sometimes even before a period has been missed. If you use a home-based urine pregnancy test, be sure to follow the directions carefully to get an accurate reading. Be sure to follow the test directions for following up with a healthcare provider as well.

Birth Control Methods: Something For Every Couple

As welcome as most pregnancies are, there are times when women do not wish to become pregnant, and times when avoiding pregnancy is necessary for health reasons. Any method or system of preventing pregnancy is known as birth control; other names for birth control are family planning, fertility control, pregnancy prevention, and contraception. There are a variety of methods available. For best results, you should learn about all your options and choose the one that best suits your needs and provides the level of protection against pregnancy with which you are most comfortable. Essentially, all birth control methods and systems seek to prevent the male’s sperm from reaching the female’s egg causing fertilization.

There are two general classes of birth control: permanent and reversible. Permanent options involve surgery and are generally not reversible; therefore, you must be very certain of your decision and choice not to have any children (or any more children) before opting for a permanent choice. Reversible methods, on the other hand, are within the control of the user, and can be changed or stopped as desired.

For a man, vasectomy is a permanent birth control option. Vasectomy prevents the sperm a man produces from leaving his body during intercourse. This surgery is usually performed by a urologist. Vasectomies can be reversed but such reversal surgery is not always successful; therefore, this must be considered a permanent method.

Permanent options for a woman include tubal ligation and hysterectomy. Tubal ligation is a severing of the fallopian tubes which connect a woman’s ovaries, where eggs are produced, and her uterus, where a pregnancy grows. Like vasectomies, tubal ligation can sometimes be reversed; however, such reversal surgery is not always successful, so tubal ligation must not be considered a reversible or temporary option. Hysterectomy is removal of a woman’s uterus or ovaries or both.

Reversible Birth Control Options

Reversible birth control options fall into four categories: barrier, mechanical, hormonal, and natural. Barrier methods are the use of a physical barrier to prevent sperm and egg from joining, such as condoms or diaphragms. The IUD, or intrauterine device, is a form of mechanical birth control. IUDs are small devices inserted into the uterus of a woman by her healthcare provider.

Hormonal birth control methods release hormones into the woman’s body which prevent an egg from developing and maturing. The most common form of hormonal birth control is the birth control pill, also known as oral contraceptives. Birth control pills may contain one or more hormones, and are known respectively as mini pills or combination pills. Both are effective provided they are taken according to directions. Other forms of hormonal birth control deliver the hormones using different delivery systems, such as the contraceptive patch, a vaginal ring, or birth control implants or injections.

Natural methods of birth control involve understanding the woman’s physiology to determine when sexual intercourse may be enjoyed with minimal risk of fertilization. Because they involve no surgery, no chemicals or medications, and produce no side effects, natural methods are favored by many couples. However, natural methods must be performed with great consistency and care, as one act of intercourse outside “allowed” times may result in a pregnancy.

It is important to remember that there is no form of birth control which provides absolute protection against sexually transmitted diseases or STDs. Though some barrier methods do offer limited protection, only strict abstinence can assure that you will remain free from STDs.

There are few things that take your breath away like the excitement of seeing the positive result on a pregnancy test. Following a few simple rules and tips can ensure that your pregnancy is as pleasant as possible. While the experience of some discomfort may be unavoidable, certain habits can certainly help you minimize it. But more than comfort, following these tips can ensure a healthy mom and healthy baby.

First, concentrate on living in a healthy way. You will need nutritious food and plenty of water to feed your growing baby and maintain your own health. Whole grain breads, fruit and vegetables, eggs, meat, fish, and milk are the nutrition-rich foods that should make up the majority of your diet. Eating a lot of sugar and junk food should be avoided; the chemicals and preservatives in highly processed junk food can be bad for you and your baby. Eating a lot of salty and spicy foods can also present problems. Moderate, gentle exercise, such as walking, swimming, gentle aerobic activity, or yoga, are often recommended to help keep mom fit. Getting adequate rest is also important.

Another essential step for a healthy mom and baby is to give up smoking and drinking alcohol. These habits can cause harm to your baby, such as low birth weight, brain defects, premature labor (which can result in a myriad of health problems for your baby), and more, not to mention their effects on you. If you can give up smoking and drinking alcohol before you conceive, that is even better for both you and your baby.

Here are some more ideas to make your pregnancy pleasurable.

Tip 1: Find a health care provider you are really in sync with, someone with whom you feel comfortable sharing all your concerns and questions. A good provider will be a great source of support, and should be able to put your fears to rest, while ensuring you have the best possible pregnancy and delivery.

Tip 2: Let your body tells you what it wants and needs. You may suddenly find you need more sleep, or find yourself craving a specific food. Relax, trusting in the wisdom of your body, and let it guide you in having a healthy pregnancy.

Tip 3: Morning sickness is a misnomer: as any mom will tell you, nausea of pregnancy can happen any time of the day or night. Take it in stride as much as you can, and know that it typically resolves after the first trimester.

Tip 4: Enjoy your baby bump! Your body is doing incredible work growing a baby, so enjoy the experience. Try to take other’s remarks about your changing shape in stride.

Tip 5: Preparing for a baby can be expensive. Borrowing maternity clothes from friends is a great way to save money and share the joy of motherhood. Babies outgrow newborn sizes very quickly, so try not to buy too many of those tiny, yet adorable, newborn clothes. Focus on things that will help you be more comfortable now and after baby arrives.

Tip 6: Remember that due dates aren’t an absolute. Most deliveries happen between 37 and 42 weeks’ gestation, so relax and let things unfold in their own time.

Tip 7: A friend who has been through pregnancy herself, or even your own mom, can be a great person to share feelings and experiences with.

Tip 8: You will be given lots of advice: take to heart the things that resonate with you, and ignore the rest.

Gentle exercise during your pregnancy has many benefits, including helping you manage your stress.  When exercising, make sure to drink lots of water and do not allow yourself to overheat. An increased body temperature can prove harmful to your unborn baby, so do not over do things. Your already healthy diet will ensure you have plenty of energy for your pregnancy and your exercise. Certain exercise are contraindicated during pregnancy, exercise where you could lose your balance and fall, for example. Consult with your health care provider and get their go ahead with any exercises during pregnancy, even activities you may have been doing before. Most of all, listen to your body, and let it tell you when you are doing too much.

Walking is a gentle exercise that is generally appropriate for every mom-in-waiting. If you have not been walking before, start with short distances, and walk more as you feel able. You will soon find yourself enjoying your surroundings, and feeling better with more energy.

A simple butterfly press can help release the tension that builds in the upper back. Hold each of your arms in a U shape, and move your arms slowly back and forth, stretching and exercising your chest and upper back muscles. This can also help with the increased weight you will carry in your chest.

Keep all these essentials in mind: a nutritious diet, gentle exercise, and a good attitude, and your pregnancy will be a wonderful time.