Pregnancy can be a joyous time in a couple's life--as long as pregnancy is what they want. For those who are not ready for children or have all the children they want, certain methods of birth control are available, some of which are more effective than others.
Abstinence
Abstinence works well for a number of people, according to Planned Parenthood. This group includes people who are waiting for the right partner, those who are waiting until they're ready for sex and those who are focusing on school and a career before a relationship and family.
Abstinence has many benefits, including the facts that it is 100 percent effective and costs nothing. In addition to preventing pregnancy, it prevents sexually transmitted diseases and has no side effects.
Tubal Ligation
A tubal ligation is the most common form of birth control in the United States, according to Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. of DrSpock.com A permanent surgical procedure, it is 99 percent effective in preventing pregnancy.
This procedure can be done at any time, but many women choose to undergo the surgery immediately following a vaginal birth or at the time of a cesarean section. Greenfield states the greatest advantage of this arrangement is that you can recover from the birth of your baby and the tubal simultaneously.
This procedure can be done a number of ways, however its purpose is the same--to block the fallopian tubes so the sperm is unable to reach the egg once it drops into the tubes during ovulation. One method is to simply remove a small piece of the tube and tie off each end. Another is to cauterize (burn) a segment of the tube, which eventually destroys the tissue and closes the passageway of the tube. Before undergoing the procedure, speak to your doctor and discuss the option that works the best for you. You should also be certain before having this done that you have all the children you want or will want. While surgeries are available to reverse this procedure, in most cases they are not successful.
Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills may be an option for women who are not ready for a baby at the present time but may wish to begin a family in the future. When taken correctly, the Mayo Clinic states that this form of contraception is 98 to 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.
Dr. Cullins of Planned Parenthood explains that birth control pills are made of hormones. Some are single hormone pills and contain only progestin, while others are combination pills containing both estrogen and progestin. Cullins states that most women take the combination pill.
The job of the pill is to prevent ovulation from occurring or to stop the release of an egg. When there is no egg for sperm to join with, pregnancy cannot occur. The hormones in the pill also thicken the cervical mucus; this blocks sperm, preventing it from joining with the egg.
Combination pills come in both 21 and 28-day packs. The 21-day packs have 21 pills containing hormones (active pills), and you take one pill every day for three weeks. The last week you take nothing, and then begin a new pack the following week. The 28-day packs contain three weeks of active pills, and one week of inactive pills (placebos) which serve as a reminder to take your pills every day. Progestin-only pills come in a 28-day pack, containing only active pills. A pill is taken daily, with no breaks between packs.
It is in your best interest to consult your doctor about the specific pill to meet your needs. It is imperative to remember to take your pill daily; missing one or two doses increases your chances of becoming pregnant, according to the Mayo Clinic.
