| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| JimBobAndLarry |
Posted - May 24 2005 : 8:08:59 PM
Ok, this is not my soap box. I've never even brought up this topic, but I've been thinking a lot about living organically, in rhythm with nature and keeping things old fashion. I've been looking to live a pure, organic farmgirl life for about 8 years now... I'm 28.
Here's what I've learned over these past eight years: When people mess with the natural way of the earth, and chose a method for ANYTHING that requires less work (seems easier, cheaper, more comfortable and more convenient)in the long run we usually suffer. Am I wrong? Can you think of anything that is made better by changing it's natural rhythm?
What about when we use chemicals and hormones to change something to make our work easier? Duh. We are organically minded women, right? OK, so what about birth control? What do you think about The Pill and other chemical and hormone changing methods of keeping families small and spaced out?
I know that a lot women who eat organic and are not thinking about how the principles of organic and natural living might apply to family planning. I’m not trying to make anyone mad, I’m just suggesting that we think this through. I’m not catholic, but I care about my body, my family and my future. I can see that we humans really seem to make things worse when we try to make things easier through synthetic methods.
It was actually a news clipping in this issue of MaryJanesFarm, that made me think about this. It was all about the book “Our Bodies Ourselves” This book promotes some great things, but when we seek to live a pure, gentle and natural life I don’t think it can be achieved through some of the synthetic, intrusive and hormone altering methods suggested in this book. I’m not saying that I have an answer to my own question, but I’d like to hear the thoughts of other Farmgirls.
Think about it, these modern methods of family planning came about at the same time as factory farming, drugged childbirth, industrialization, and the institutionalization of every possible aspect of life. Could it be that that just like the rest of these things we are being robbed of what was intended to be nature’s more perfect design for women and families?
It anyone else thinking along these lines? Is anyone willing to consider my new revelation with me from an organic Farmgirl perspective? Has anyone written a non-religious book on this topic? As you think about this with me, just put on your Farmgirl hat. Right now it doesn’t matter if you are a catholic, a feminist…or both… what does the farm girl think?
Think for a bit about the way things are meant to be when life is in rhythm with nature. It just seems to me that all this synthetic family planning business might belong in the same category as confinement farming for chickens.
"Jim-Bob&Larry is the name of my daughter's new laying hen. My little girl is three and she came up with the name all by herself. I'm Sarah." |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| jillofalltrades |
Posted - Aug 20 2005 : 10:37:49 AM
I've very sorry to hear you too are plauged by PCOS. It is terrible! My main conerns at this point are cosmetic. There is a new reasearch out about NAC (N-acetyl-cysteine) that sounds promising for the hair issues and other issues as well. I'm still researching it though. You can read about it here http://www.soulcysters.net/showthread.php?t=135032
I take Omega 3 which has helped my cholesterol levels a great deal. I am trying to decide if I want to stop my birth control because it is causing Melasma on my face. I'm in the process of researching the side effects of Vitex because it has been shown to regulate cycles. Anyway...we will see how this journey goes. Blessings to you,hapyhrt!
~Nicole
www.thelazydeaux.com
http://farmgirlsoflouisiana.blogspot.com |
| hapyhrt |
Posted - Aug 20 2005 : 05:35:03 AM
I was diagnosed with PCOS, some 20+ years ago. To this day I find it most heartwrenching. Aside from the physical issues of PCOS, yes the male hair pattern growth, weight, high cholesterol, etc. it also severly affects my emotional state of mind. I struggle with the painful fact that I could never have a child of my own or the large family that I had always dreamed about. The isolation of being "different" from the women around me and never quite knowing the true feelings of their childbearing experiences which adds to the depression and anxiety that I deal with as well.
As far as prescription drugs, I hate taking anything that's not 100% natural but sometimes the choices we are faced with are not our choice at all. To not take the Provera atleast every other month would bring on months of heavy bleeding, cramping, more D&C's, and a hysterectomy which I refused after the last scare of profuse bleeding that put me in the hospital. I've heard stories from other woman who say having a hysterectomy was either a blessing or a curse, guess I'm too afraid to take the risk and have it done only to find out that it was worse than living with the PCOS.
I support the right of woman everywhere to make their own decisions and choices concerning their bodies. For me, it is whatever makes my life liveable and if that means synthetic drugs where nothing else has worked then I'm glad to have such a choice.
Interesting topic and one that I'm happy can be discussed openly and honestly here.
"Think HAPPY Thoughts...any others aren't worth your time!" Ü |
| Whimsy_girl |
Posted - Aug 18 2005 : 11:55:40 PM
My childhood best friend ended up with that disease as well. She forgot her pill often and was really bad at managing her problems and she got a lot of the male hair growth... she was totally miserable until she started taking it seriously... so I totally get you there.
you can be oh so smart, or you can be oh so positive. I wasted a lot of time being smart I prefer being positive. |
| jillofalltrades |
Posted - Aug 18 2005 : 4:30:21 PM
I too take birth control. I HAVE to, yes have to. 5 years ago I stopped taking birth control without notifying my Dr because we wanted to start a family. After 2 years of irregular cycyles and no pregnancy I started seeking help. After 3 MDs and 2 NDs they finally figured out what was wrong. I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and by stopping the birth control I almost destroyed my ovaries not to mention developed other life long symptoms(male pattern hair growth, skin tags, insulin resistant). I have tried natural approaches with 2 different NDs and we live 96% organically but nothing else keeps my symptoms at bay. I do not like the medication but I'm much healthier when I'm on it than when I'm not. Luckily we were able to have that child but it was by far UN-natural..but that's a whole other can of worms. I just wanted to throw my situation out there because there are some of us that rely on birth control for our overall health.
For those of you that practice natural family planning I LOVE the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler. I used her methods trying to get pregnant.
~Nicole
www.thelazydeaux.com
http://farmgirlsoflouisiana.blogspot.com |
| greyghost |
Posted - Aug 18 2005 : 07:26:43 AM
Claire, I will get one of those testing kits. I didn't know they had home kits!
I do write a grocery list... he just can't avoid the temptation! After work he wants to sit down and have a snack, and before we moved and still had a kitchen, I had fresh bread or from-scratch oatmeal cookies, or white peaches, grapes or SOMETHING for him so he wouldn't be so tempted by Little Debbie cakes and potato chips. Currently we lack the fridge space (on a little dorm-size fridge at the moment) and no kitchen, so it's bad right now.
I am looking for a farmer to supply natural meats, eggs and poultry. We go through a lot of meat since I feed our dogs a raw diet (see? I got them all healthy - all the way down to shots and meds to avoid/reduce - now I need to fix US!!!)I really hope to find one soon. |
| Clare |
Posted - Aug 18 2005 : 07:09:47 AM
Lynn, buy your husband a home blood pressure testing kit. Make him use it daily. And while you're down, send him to the grocery store with a list and tell him to stick to it!!! As far as hormones in meats.. my grocery does offer natural choices of meat and chicken - no growth hormones or antibiotics used, which is a better choice if you don't have access to direct purchase the same type from a farmer.
**** Love is the great work - though every heart is first an apprentice. - Hafiz
Set a high value on spontaneous kindness. - Samuel Johnson****
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| greyghost |
Posted - Aug 18 2005 : 07:02:01 AM
I'll add my 2 cents too.
I too would love to find balance and live a simpler life. Seeing how much garbage we throw away in a week sickens me. At the moment, there is little I can do but keep pushing for us to buy our little farm where we can raise our own chickens instead of eating the poor mistreated ones you buy all processed in styrofoam containers at the store. Nevermind all the chemicals and who knows what else those poor chickens have been fed and what eating them or their eggs does to us. I already grow as many of our own vegetables as I can, this year my garden is tiny since we just moved here and remodeling takes up most of our time. I am very concerned about all the processed foods we eat, very interested in learning herbal remedies and cures, and very worried about my husband, who is fully aware he has high blood pressure at 32 - especially considering his dad dropped dead of a heart attack at 56. History could repeat itself, yet since my back is hurt I cannot do the grocery shopping, and these last weeks he comes home with more Doritos and Pringles and yucky boxed cookies (UGH!) than food. And I cannot make him go to a doctor - I think it would be a wake-up call he needs, but I think he also knows what bad shape he is in and doesn't want to hear it for fact.
On my own health: I've tried five different brands of birth control pills. Only one of them didn't give me headaches, migranes, constant bleeding, bad mood swings or other disruptions. I like to think the one I am on now disrupts my body in the least way possible - it certainly seems so, anyway. If I could hear tell of an herb that does the trick I'd be happy for it, but herbs can have their side-effects too. Personally, I skip my periods. I've had enough pain and discomfort from them to last me a lifetime. Ovarian cysts also run in my family. I hope I never have troubles with blood clots - I stay active for that reason as that is supposed to help keep that at bay. Liver problems don't run in the family but I keep my alcohol consumption minimal anyway. As for infertility - I really don't care if I never carry a child. There are too many in this world left unclaimed and unloved, and should maternal & paternal insticts rise in myself and my husband, we would accept these unfortunates into our lives. |
| CityCat |
Posted - Aug 17 2005 : 9:59:26 PM
Hi everyone,
I've been reading this topic for a while, and I finally decided to add my own 2 cents. I don't like the idea of introducing chemicals into my body either, but in this case, it has become a necessary evil. Before I got on the particular birth control that I am currently using, I had very bad ovarian cysts (imagine orange sized). Bad enough that 2 surgeries later, I'm down to one sad little ovary. And if I have any hope of having children, I have to preserve what little egg production that lone ovary might have. I'm on Depo-provera. It's an injection every 12 weeks, and it stops my period. And most importantly, it stops ovulation. If I don't make eggs, less chance of cysts; less chance of cysts, better chance for a future pregnancy.
I'm gambling big time here. I generally react poorly to most medication. There have been some side-effects, but a lot less than oral birth control. And the preverbial clock is ticking (I'm 30 now) and I'm currently without a SO. But ovarian cysts run in the family, and I got them early: first diagnosed when I was 20. So, do I just live with the "natural" feminine cycle, and risk the reoccurence of cysts, or do I take birth control, stop the cycle, and hold the ovary in a form of suspended animation until I'm ready to have children? I went with the later. The surgeries were awful. I can't go through with another one. And the thought of losing that lone ovary... I don't even want to contemplate that! Losing the one was hard, and it's not all that big, but it's the idea of it all... Losing the power of giving life! And there was talk of a possible hysterectomy if the cysts recur. Now that's TOO much.
So, that's my story. Just wanted to add another dimension to discussion.
Cat |
| Fulminous |
Posted - Jul 29 2005 : 5:31:45 PM
Kathy, I do have a friend who was pretty allergic to every type of hormone she tried as method of birth control, she ended up going with the copper IUD, which got a bad name back in the day I guess, but a lot has been learned about it now and it is much safer (she says). So, anyway, she has seince had it removed and is due any day for her first baby! |
| showmemom |
Posted - Jul 28 2005 : 7:04:26 PM
First, great topic. Talking about things is an awesome way to educate each other.
Second, aren't what we talking about is authenticity-bringing what we say we are and what we really are into alignment? And isn't balance what many of us are truly seeking?
And last, I live and work in an area where elective abortions are not easily obtainable (and i'm not necessarily saying they should be). But as a L&D nurse, i've seen lots of babies born to women who felt like they had no choices-their bc either failed or their partner didn't (wouldn't) use it and so they were pregnant. Sweet babies born to grudging mothers-too many. I'm sure many of them warmed up to the idea after a few hours of that sweet baby in their arms but too many don't.
We need to do better for our daughters and grand-daughters and for each other.
just my thoughts.
talk to you soon.
karen
living' large in MO |
| LifeSmiles |
Posted - Jul 28 2005 : 6:42:58 PM
Just throwing my hat into the ring... I'm 25 and have been on the Pill since I was 18 (with a few "off" times during dry spells). Seven years. Yes, I'm concerned about my future fertility. However, the Pill is the only option available to my fiance and me; condoms do not work for us (strong emotional aversion leading to strong physical reactions), my finace is completely opposed to even discussing NFP as a viable method, and I've been told by my midwife preceptor that IUDs are only for women who have already had a child.
I feel I have no other options and it kind of torques me off a bit. I don't want to have the chemicals, but there doesn't seem to be another way to keep babies at bay until we're ready for them (hopefully just another 3 years!) But by then, will the synthetic hormones have disrupted my own so much so that I won't be able to get pregnant for *another* 3 years after that?! Argh, ack, grumble grumble. And I'm not really ready to give up sex.
Good topic. Deb, I can totally see us all around a quilt or in the kitchen. I love it!
i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes
-- e.e. cummings |
| Fulminous |
Posted - Jul 27 2005 : 06:23:12 AM
I think that (personally for me) taking the pill prooves to be a challenge because in order to reduce side effects, it must be taken on a regular schedule (same time everyday). This is possibly why some people get pregnant while on the pill, irregular intake schedule.
Some women (few I suspect) even become more fertile while using the hormones to regulate their system, this I must say both scares me and gives me a positive outlook. I have for the longest time been strongly opposed to ever having my own children (mostly because I work with children every day), and the idea of being infertile had never been a bother to me. I'm at a new point in my life where I am seeing that maybe in within ten years something might change about my thoughts (not saying I want children yet, just that I am begining to have those "I could do this if I wanted to" thoughts).
I just also wanted to add, while catching up on the responses, I couldn't help but feel that great farmgirl connection of a heated debate...I can just visualize us all sitting around a large quilt having this same discussion. I love how open we all can be and non-judgemental, yet have our individual time on our seperate (long-distance) soapboxes. |
| citygoatlady |
Posted - Jul 26 2005 : 9:59:11 PM
"Side Effects"
Another thing about the Pill, or any medication, is that "side" effects are simply effects. Any med has lots of effects. The effect you want is the reason you take that med, but the other effects are there to some extent. Hopefully, the effect you want is the main effect of the drug, and the others hardly ever happen or make you sick in a different way.
One effect of the Pill is that many women don't get preg when they use it. However, in every Natural Family Planning class I have given, there will be about 1 or 30 women who did get pregnant while on the pill. At first this surprised me. Not anymore.
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| ladybugsmom6 |
Posted - Jul 26 2005 : 8:08:40 PM
I have to say two things, first, that I agree that if we are going to live an organic lifestyle, We are taking responsibility for what we eat grow and how we live. If we are truely taking that responsibility seriously, we dont "need" "birth-control". I think the world would have less need for "birth-control" if we had more self-control!
second, I absolutely believe that it is not just the pills we are asked to take for a quick fix for every little symptombut it is also the foods we eat that our bodies just cant digest that continue to make us sick. Most food available to us at the local grocery store have been so processed that they are no longer nutrition for our bodies, but poisons that cause our bodies to be weak and ill, unable to heal thenselves from the top down and from the inside out, as God created them.
Now I will get off my passionate soap box and relish in the thought that our bodies were perfetly designed with awesome rythums that, if we were only to listen to, would lead us to peace with in ourselves!
-Tami
livin' right and loven' life! |
| ArmyWifey |
Posted - Jul 25 2005 : 8:31:04 PM
I've never been able to take bc because it makes me really nauseous and if I'm gonna feel that way then I may as well be preggers! Regardless of how you feel about children ---- I presonally beleive they are a gift from the L-d --- the fact is that all these synthetic hormones cause serious problems, as do early hysterectomy's, tubal's and the newer forms that make it so you don't even cycle! Without trying to stir up to much controversy there is actually a verse in the Bible that talks about childbirth saving women, I've often wondered if this doesn't refer in some way to the fact that women who have children and breastfeed before they are 35, and don't use birth-control(synthetic) usually have less female health issues!
¸...¸ __/ /\____ ____
,·´º o`·,/__/ _/\_ //____/\
```)¨(´´´ | | | | | | | || |l±±±± |
¸,.-·²°´ ¸,.-·~·~·-.,¸ `°²·-. :º°
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!
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| sqrl |
Posted - Jul 25 2005 : 09:19:11 AM
I'm against any kind of synthetic birth control for myself but like Bramble said I cannot speak for other people and they're individual situations. I 've always had thoughts that all this birth control could be the reasons for all this infertality. Besides the fact that most of the US population is over fed and under nurished, that can't help the reproductive organs much either. Old fashion education is what the world needs. Up until recently Mother's weren't teaching their daughters to breast feed, women were being put to sleep while in labor and being told to trust the doctor,he'll deliver your baby for you. Don't trust your body, trust your doctor or this pill will fix everyhting with only a few (3 pages) side effects. It is an interesting world we live in right now. There is a large group of us who don't participate in all this but there are so many people out there who just blindly trust, it amazes me. Oh I could just keep going, I should stop now. Awesome topic though, glad we're talking about it.
Blessed Be
www.sqrlbee.com/artisan
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| Fulminous |
Posted - Jul 23 2005 : 5:12:05 PM
I also meant to mention that even without the health insurance, birth control is a financial burden costing up to two dollars a day!!! BUT it IS much less than a child, and I really can't put a life on this earth if I see the birth control as putting a dent in my wallet. |
| citygoatlady |
Posted - Jul 23 2005 : 2:53:31 PM
Whimsy G., I think you are wise you've figured out a method that works best for you. Natural isn't everyone's cup of tea.
Bloom where you are planted. |
| Whimsy_girl |
Posted - Jul 23 2005 : 1:49:58 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Whimsy_girl
I have always been very disturned about birth control hormones and I am very allergic to latex so a lot of tose options aren't open to me either. We tried natural family planning and thats why we have a 21 month old and a 9 month old. I love my girls but having them that close together was NOT in the plan. I finally begrudgingly went with the IUD with hormones in it because it didn;t pose the risk of blood poisening that the copper ones had, plus it had the lowest dose of hormones you could get in a birth control methos, plus it's supposed to stay localized in the uterine area.... I still get godawful crampos with it and stuff so it's far from a perfect solution but thats what we are doing for now.
you can be oh so smart, or you can be oh so positive. I wasted a lot of time being smart I prefer being positive. James Stewart in the movie HARVEY
Haha.. look at all the typos in that last post.. I guess thats what I get for posting at 1 AM!
Anyway, I am in theory very interested in natural family planning again, but the last time we tried that I was assured over and over again that everything was fine with my little chart, and that all my body signs said I wouldn't be able to get pregnant at that time, and sure enough I did! The second pregnancy was pretty rough on me. I was sick through most of it, and it was hard to be a good mommy to my first baby. I'm actually pretty fearful about risking a third right now when I have 2 little bitty ones who need my attention so much.
you can be oh so smart, or you can be oh so positive. I wasted a lot of time being smart I prefer being positive. James Stewart in the movie HARVEY |
| Fulminous |
Posted - Jul 23 2005 : 07:18:51 AM
Well, I'll come right out and say that I am very pleased with my birth control. Not trying to offend anyone but for the first few years sience I first started bleading, I don't have to dread it.
I don't think I've ever gone through the whole process with a doctor to get tested for endomytriosis (I don't have health insurance, what little it will do for you does help when you don't have it at all). I do however, get my annual checkup. Anyway, I have very irregular and very heavy periods. I am active and eat healthy.
With my previous job working in the woods all the time, it became very difficult to take all the care (really it was just about finding to room) that went into packing for a trip, would I start in the middle of the trip? how much should I pack? bucket loads was always the answer. Sometimes the cramps were so intense that I would need to stay back a day while my group moved on...making me need to do double duty in one day or catch up at night. Don't get me wrong, I have a very high threshold for pain, my cramps were the only thing stopping my dead in my tracks.
So anyway, my bc is the only thing that I've found to help. I've tried a lot of different methods and been very patient, but these last few years have been much better using "the pill" to regulate my periods and the cramping nearly gone in comparison to how it used to feel.
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| citygoatlady |
Posted - Jul 23 2005 : 05:33:34 AM
"Your Fertility Signals, Using Them to Achieve or Avoid Pregnancy, Naturally" is the book I wrote on the very topic in the first post!!! I was wondering if anyone would talk about this.
Step by step, filled with illustrations, I wrote this to make fertility awareness very easy to understand and put into practice successfully.
Available from Smooth Stone Press, PO Box 19875, St. Louis, MO 63144.
$15 each plus $2 postage for one book.
If you'd like extras for your friends, since they are sure to borrow yours, I will send additional bargain ones with slightly scuffed covers for half price, $7.50 each (includes postage).
The ISBN is 0-9619401-0-7.
Bloom where you are planted. |
| Whimsy_girl |
Posted - Jul 23 2005 : 01:01:17 AM
I have always been very disturned about birth control hormones and I am very allergic to latex so a lot of tose options aren't open to me either. We tried natural family planning and thats why we have a 21 month old and a 9 month old. I love my girls but having them that close together was NOT in the plan. I finally begrudgingly went with the IUD with hormones in it because it didn;t pose the risk of blood poisening that the copper ones had, plus it had the lowest dose of hormones you could get in a birth control methos, plus it's supposed to stay localized in the uterine area.... I still get godawful crampos with it and stuff so it's far from a perfect solution but thats what we are doing for now.
you can be oh so smart, or you can be oh so positive. I wasted a lot of time being smart I prefer being positive. James Stewart in the movie HARVEY |
| Alee |
Posted - Jun 19 2005 : 6:45:57 PM
Hi Ladies!
On the Birth Control issue, I personally think that they are a mixed bag of blessings and curses also.
First of all- look at the possible side effects... Heart Diseases, Blot Clots, Liver Problems, Strokes, infertility.
I was on birth control when I became pregnant the first time. I carried for about 2 months before I spontainiously miscarried. The doctor claims she can't see any obvious physical problem as to why I would miscarry so she believes it was most likely related to being on the pill.
9 months from when I was pregnant the first time, I became pregnant a second time. I also miscarried that pregnancy but less than a month in.
They won't do any tests on my boyfriend or I until I have miscarried three times. But I know the chemicals in my foods and the pill couldn't have been beneficial.
Honestly, I think the best form of birth control (assuming of course that we are not using the trite saying "abstinence") would be condoms. To be honest, in this day and age, STDs are something that every woman needs to be aware of (whether you are "at risk" or not) and since a condom is the only way to prevent most STDs from infecting another party and they prevent pregnancies...well there ya go! :)
The best thing would be to leave it to nature and have children when they come, but for some people either financial or maturity issues keep this from being possible.
Hopefully- Someday- we will see less chemicals in our environment and we will have less to worry about...as for me...I keep the pill out of my system and focus on trying to reduce the toxins I injest in my daily life. ;)
Good Topic Ladies!
Ciao
Alee |
| Mollie |
Posted - Jun 19 2005 : 4:13:13 PM
I have to say that I didn't give kids a lot of thought (isn't that bizarre?). We were young and had our whole futures ahead of us, both armed with graduate degrees so we didn't do much "family planning". We had 4 kids (2 girls, 2 boys) in quick time as I didn't find a job right away and we decided I would be a "stay at home" Mom quickly as the "babysitter/daycare" situation became intolerable. All I knew was that I was an only child and my husband only had one brother, 4 yrs younger, and we wanted a big family that we hadn't experienced before, but had no clue what was involved. We moved around a lot in the beginning and raising 4 kids without much of a support system was extremely difficult. At that time I only knew I wanted the farm I grew up on to be a distant memory (isn't that sad?). I thought I knew everything, wanted the big city, theatres, shopping, tennis, golf, etc. I saw the farm then as lonely and a lot of hard work that made the women in my family look old before their time. All my first cousins (about 15 of them) also left their farms for the city life, only one really stayed. Now I am looking at the other end of the prism, especially since my 4 kids are all grown and establishing their households, and my husband and I both long for the quiet, peace, and happiness I now remember of the farm. You all are right in that there is a rhythm to the seasons, animals, weather, and gardens that I think brings an inner quietness that the stress of the "citylife" certainly taxes. Mollie |
| vaherbmom |
Posted - Jun 17 2005 : 05:28:41 AM
Addendum: Just yesterday I heard about a news story that in the Potomac River (Virginia) they are catching MALE small-mouth bass with immature eggs in them. They think this may be a result of pharmaceuticals (specifically birth control pills) in the sewage from upstream!
What we take doesn't just affect us. |
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