28 million women at risk of unwanted pregnancy

[Elspeth]

Source: Reuters

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Each year, half of American women who would rather not get pregnant will have an unplanned pregnancy, often because they failed to use their contraceptive properly or forgot to use it at all, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday.

As a result, 28 million women in the United States are at risk for an unintended pregnancy, according to the study conducted by the Guttmacher Institute in New York.

They found one in four women are very likely to become pregnant because of inconsistent contraception use.

Some of this gap is due to lack of access to health care, with many women saying they cannot afford some of the more effective methods of contraception such as birth control pills that require a doctor's visit and prescription.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN1233107520080513

[I Have A Dream]

1. I would also think that the "abstinence only" sex education...

is part of the problem as well.

:(

[xioaping]

74. Abstinance should be taught along with other

Abstinance is the only real way to makes sure you are not going to get pregnant which seems so obvious but I agree that it should not be the only thing taught. But kids need to know that if they have sex, no matter what they think is protection, some of them will end up with a child they don't want.

[blondie58]

2. yep, my oldest- who justed turned 22 was

a birth control failure. I found out later that if you don't take the pill within the same hour each day, that your chances of getting pregnant increase. She is a beautiful girl, though and I am blessed to have her.

[Elspeth]

3. The doctor or pharmacist should have given you instructions.

That's just irresponsible medicine on their part.

[blondie58]

6. I don't think that they did

but granted- this was 23 years ago and I was young.

[Elspeth]

7. A friend of mine who got the pill over 20 years ago was not advised either.

She just told me that when I asked her. It's amazing!

[noamnety]

47. When I was on it ages ago

I had no idea antibiotics affected how well it worked.

[Elspeth]

69. This is really malpractice of a sort

You always have to be counseled about drug interaction.

[AnneD]

4. One of my unwanted pregnancies......

was caused by use of an antibiotic while on the pill. Yeah, that was a suprise.

[Elspeth]

5. Weren't you advised about that?

It just seems that there's no counseling about all the things that can interfere with birth control's effectiveness. It's appalling.

[AnneD]

16. This was in the late 70's early 80's....

before it was common knowledge. I don't know the age of most posters here, but I was with the group that first tested these pills. I wish I had a nickel for every time a Doc or lover accused me of not taking these things correctly (even though I know I was following instructions TO THE LETTER). What finally put me off the pill entirely-it effected me mentally. Initially all BC pills had high levels of estrogen-I loved those pill (mood was great, face cleared up,lost weight). When they switched to the low estrogen dose pill. I would get so depressed as to be suicidal. It took 7-9 months to figure out the depression was caused by the pills-another not so familiar side affect at the time. I tried that experiment and it failed for me. This is why abortions should be safe and legal. You can be a very responsible person and still have an unplanned pregnancy. Oh, and if you have fluctuating weight gains and losses-the diaphragm can be ineffective too, no matter how much spermicide you use-AND YES, I HAD THAT PLACE CORRECTLY TOO. Yeah, we discovered that too. :eyes:

Also edited to add, I have had condoms fail too. And since more of this stuff is made elsewhere and may not meet US standards, some folks need to get off their moral high horse. I am certainly not the one to pass judgment on these women and neither should the writer and readers of this article. The only fail proof birth control method is abstinence and I don't see too many folks signing up for that class.

[JeanGrey]

27. Back ups. Back ups.

[AnneD]

33. Yeah....

a Playboy and a washcloth....There's a backup for ya.

My first suggestion was a vasectomy-yeah that went over well too.

Women get blamed because they can't hid the evidence. Do any of you think for one moment that men would put up with this bull shit if the onus was on them. Donkey balls!!!!!!

What is needed is more research and better, cheaper more effective contraception. But God forbid that will never happen. How can you control a woman if she has control over her own body. I don't look for that happening anytime soon.

[raccoon]

24. Yeah, I know of somebody that happened to. nt

[Lone_Star_Dem]

70. They changed my pills

No one told me I could get pregnant for the first month. Just like when you start taking the pill in the beginning.

I have no regrets now 21 years later as I have a beautiful daughter that's been the joy of my life. However, I did have to postpone finishing college and lived through some extremely difficult years.

I was one of the fortunate ones. Others are not so lucky.

[elleng]

129. Its been quite a while since I stopped taking them,

but I recall that LOTS of info was on inserts, with each monthly pack.

[geiger]

8. I strongly object to the characterization here

"because they failed to use their contraceptive properly...or at all?"

Now having a baby is a "risk"? As if this is an unnatural desire or result? What is the motive behind such a weird announcement.

[Elspeth]

9. The risk is about unwanted or unintended pregnancies.

Intended, planned or wanted pregnancies are not at issue here.

[Lautremont]

10. You don't think an unwanted pregnancy is a negative thing?

[Occulus]

43. I was an unwanted pregnancy.

I was given up for adoption. Whatever the situation my birthparents found themselves in, it was bad enough that they couldn't/wouldn't be able to/didn't want to support a child.

I was an unwanted pregnancy.

Nice post. :thumbsup: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

[Lorien]

73. I was an unwanted pregnancy too

but I was conceived before Roe v. Wade, so my parents did what they were required to do in those days; get married for the sake of the baby. They divorced after a few years and I was forever reminded of the fact that I was a "terrible mistake". This is one of the reasons I'm strongly pro-choice; NO child should be born to parents that really don't want it. At least adopted children know that they were wanted by someone. If Roe v. Wade is ever overturned millions will be raised by parents who resent their existence, and that's not fair to anyone.

[xioaping]

75. I don't think you are a terrible mistake

and I bet all the lives you have touched with your own do not think so either. As long as we do good to others or for others or contribute then we can not possbibly be terrible mistake.

[superconnected]

142. I think your parents were terribly mistaken to raise you that way.

You're needed on this planet.

And yes still I agree with you on the pro-choice stand.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

72. It can be a life threatening risk

I'm not speaking of the usual risks of childbirth either. Not that those are not enough. I have lupus and should never have bore a child. Subsequent attempts (after my one child born due to BC failure) almost killed me and did terminate the pregnancies.

Extremely foolish of me. I thought if I got away with it once I might again though.

[Withywindle]

104. It is if you don't want one.

Lots of women don't. Deal with it.

[joeglow3]

11. Forgot to use birth control? WTF

I have empathy for those who got pregnant while using birth control or cannot afford birth control. However, how the F do you "forget" to use birth control?

[Elspeth]

12. Look at the article. Many were badly advised or found the cheaper forms of birth control hard to use

Subsidizing better birth control and better birth control counseling is a start.

[JeanGrey]

28. How hard is a condom to use?

[superconnected]

35. You can't trust a guy with a condom. I've had two instances where guys have literally tried

to get me pregnant so I wouldn't break up with them. Don't ever trust a guy with the birth control.

[ryanmuegge]

44. LOL. Those guys don't sound like real men to me.

No offense, but I'd run fast from some punk like that. What kind of a man would be so emotionally weak to want a kid to keep some girl around?

[JeanGrey]

57. What do you mean? How does a guy "hide" he isn't wearing

a condom? Try keeping your hand on it at all times!

[uppityperson]

64. poke holes in it and keep it a secret.

Or keep penis in vagina until it goes limp, letting semen leak out.

[JeanGrey]

81. Poke holes in it? I'm not saying that isn't possible but I

highly doubt there are tons of guys out there "poking holes" in condoms. It is funny you mention that though, a girl my son dated claimed that is how she got pregnant by him. (trust me, it ain't happening, he would never do such a thing). The dna test proved it wasn't his (what a surprise). I still can't figure out the reason for that dumb story.

[Scout]

84. jesus h christ on a fucking pogo stick!

right, the guy is wearing a condom while we're doing the nasty, and i'm supposed to hold on to the condom at all times? while i'm also using back up methods!!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

is that what you do when you have sex?

[JeanGrey]

98. Have you never had a condom to "slide" off? And I'm sure you

NEVER reach down to make sure everything is in place. Righto.

[Scout]

102. i haven't used condoms in years, and no, i didn't hold on to it during the act

which was what you said originally....

[JeanGrey]

110. Well I did many times during the act because they "do"

slide off. That's why I think it's weird when people say they didn't know if they had a condom on. I can't remember ever doing the nasty with a condom on the guy and not being aware of it.

Ours used to slide off right at the end and I always grabbed to make sure. Worked like a charm.

[uppityperson]

119. I don't think I've "done the nasty", but have had sex a lot.

Never had one slide off, My partner got ones that fit snugly and pulled out when still erect so it wouldn't. Like is recommended. Sounds like you were a conscientious contraceptive user. Good for you.

[superconnected]

100. I don't want to get graphic, but yet, they do take it off, and try other things.

[Scout]

86. i had a guy actually LOSE the condom....

and he did NOT tell me, or say anything at all about it being missing when he pulled out.

I discovered it the NEXT DAY when it worked itself out ... while i was playing softball! i had to run to the bathroom between innings, and oh my fucking god, i was ready to kill that asshole. heh. he was coaching third base when i came back ... i was up to bat, i got on base, i made my way around to third base and told him what had happened. he said he thought i'd have known it was in there. :crazy:

so i guess if i'd gotten pregnant, it would have been my fault for not holding on to that condom!

[JeanGrey]

99. Well I certainly would've looked for it!!

[Scout]

103. i didn't know it wasn't on him when he pulled out ... do you read posts

before you reply to them?

[JeanGrey]

111. How did you miss it? Did you fall asleep or something?

I'm just curious, that was always the FIRST thing I looked for, for reasons stated, and also because I didn't want it to end up on the floor as we know most guys are so clean.................

[Scout]

117. i didn't inspect the penis when he removed it

he got out of bed and went into the bathroom.

i never dated a guy who just left a used condom on the floor after we did it ... i never had sex with anyone who was that much of a pig. you must have been dating quite a different kind of man than i did, i guess.


you must have so much fun during sex, with all your extra methods, holding on to condom while you're being fucked ... why even bother? why not just abstain if you're THAT worried about accidental pregnancy?


:eyes:

[JeanGrey]

138. Well, tell you what, I've never had any complaints, and I didn't

end up pregnant and abandoned, either. What really bugs you about this? That someone is that careful?

And as far as the on the floor thing, you've GOT TO BE JOKING. I bet every one of your men put the toliet lid down and wash dishes too! ROTFLMAO

[uppityperson]

120. I never had a partner who left a condom on the floor or was that unclean.

I am sorry for you that you have. The more you write, the more what you write makes sense.

[JeanGrey]

139. Nonsense. I'm sure that you've only dated men who

never fart, leave the toliet seat up or throw towels on the floor either. Give me a break folks this dog won't hunt.

[uppityperson]

144. So you are calling me a liar and my partners pigs. Whew.

No, I have never had a partner who threw used condoms on the floor. Are you sure you want to call me a liar and assume all my partners were the same type pigs as you seem to have known?

Are you sure you want to continue on with that nasty and bigoted of an attitude?

[JeanGrey]

150. No, I don't, because it is obviously silly to just about

everyone. Bye now.

[eek MD]

135. I don't know where you're meeting your guys, but....

most guys that I know are scared to DEATH of getting a girl pregnant, and it's the girls that seem to want to "save" the relationships by getting pregnant.... Including my ex, who would CONSTANTLY try to get me to have unprotected sex...

Just my personal experience though.

[JeanGrey]

140. I know. I just love the "poke holes in the condom" thing.

A girl tried that on my son. Rather, her mother tried to use it as an excuse as to why she was pregnant. It wasn't his kid. (what a shock)

[krabigirl]

37. They do break, you know.

[Megahurtz]

39. They certainly do. n/t

[JeanGrey]

58. So I've heard. Never seen it in 10 years.

[Xithras]

71. My #2 kid was the result of a broken condom. No complaints though.

My wife and I had been trying to make #2, but she did the math and decided that she didn't want to get pregnant that month...the baby would have been born in the same month as her birthday, her mothers birthday, her GRANDmothers her brothers birthday, and two cousins birthdays, and she didn't want to add another one to the pile. Her bloodline is apparently cursed to favor October birthdays though, because the condom broke, she got pregnant, and my son actually shares a birthday with his great-grandmother now.

[JeanGrey]

79. I guess it happens. You're the first one I've ever heard of it

happening. Usually it's they didn't use one.

[krabigirl]

147. Many times they do. So maybe it's good just not to judge before you know.

[JeanGrey]

151. I doubt it's "many times". I have many female girlfriends as all

of us do. Most of them didn't have birth control that "failed". It was never tried. That IS the statistical truth according to the Guttmacher institute. It was something like 54% who didn't use birth control and that was only among those that were honest about it.

[Scout]

87. lucky for you. are you saying other women are liars then? n/t

[JeanGrey]

97. Nope.

[uppityperson]

96. I have experienced a broken condom, that's why spermicidal goo should be used also.

It happens. You've been lucky.
That is why we contraception educators advise using spermicidal goo along with a condom. They tear, break, leak, come off, etc.

[JeanGrey]

112. Yup. Always for a backup. I was on the pill and used condoms

and spermicide and one time I even double dipped with my diaphram. I wasn't going to get pregnant before I was ready.

[FloridaJudy]

145. Sorry to get graphic here

I'm an OB/GYN Nurse Practitioner and I've fished an awful lot of condom fragments out of women. So yes, they do break. Usually it's because they were misused - stored improperly, used with oil-based lubricants, had no room left in the tip, etc. But people are imperfect, or there wouldn't be those weird warning labels on everything (Do not spray glass cleaner in eyes!). Still they're a damned effective way of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections when used right.

Every contraceptive method has failure rates. That's why we recommend using back up. And why it's important to offer choices if the unforeseen occurs.

[Megahurtz]

108. I have actually seen it.

:(

And the outcome was not good!

(Pun wasn't intended but what the hell);)

[JeanGrey]

113. That's awful!

[eek MD]

136. It's happened to me...

It happened at the worst possible time of the month too..! We both were freaking out for weeks afterward....!

Fortunately all turned out right, and nothing happened, but it was VERY disconcerting. :(

[krabigirl]

146. Well, it's happened to me. Luckily, I didn't get pregnant. and we were both already tested.

[BigDaddy44]

91. In the immortal words of Chico Escuela, yes they do

This post will prove my age.

[Ilsa]

61. I had a boyfriend who pulled his condom off in the middle of intercourse.

That was the last time we had sex. But before I realized what he had done, he was "done".

[Heather MC]

13. I am horrible at poppin pills, so I got my Husband fixed, dipped, spade, neutered and de-flea-ed..

just to be on the safe side.

[JeanGrey]

29. ROTFLMAO - Well we had two in two years after I stopped

birth control and I decided I wasn't leaving the hospital whole. So I didn't.

[Heather MC]

34. WE agreed if I have to push out two watermelons, name them and raise them, it's only fair

that he mutilates his penis!!!! LOL

Kidding I can't leave my comment like that for all the future men who face getting fixed, dipped, spade, neutered and de-fleaed

My husband said it didn't hurt and was back to running Marathons within 2 weeks
I even gave him permission to milk it, and he didn't!

[JeanGrey]

56. My hubby would've, but I couldn't chance it. LOL

[Heather MC]

65. I think it's Official, We're Sick!

Kewl

[noamnety]

20. It's pretty easy

I can't remember to take antibiotics daily - if I get a 10 day dose, it always seems to last me 12 days or so, because I am forgetful.
Many people forget to do that sort of thing.

But I am very happy for you, that you are so fortunate as to be perfect in this regard. Being superior is always nice. :)

[JeanGrey]

30. While I understand your attitude, I have known many friends

in my life who just didn't fall under "forgot to take that pill once". They fell under "just about forgot half of the time".

[noamnety]

46. Yep. I would be one of them.

At least once a cycle, I am sure I would forget it, given that I can't make it through any other medication consistently. I've also locked my keys in my car multiple times, burnt things I forgot in the oven, and so forth. One of many reasons I use an IUD, because I know how I am. I need something permanently attached to me.

It cost a few hundred dollars though, and not everyone is so privileged to be able to have that.

Like I said, must be nice to be superior to folks like me. You get to sit in judgment of all us fuckups; kudos to you for that.

There are also dyslexic people, people with attention deficit issues, people with autism, people with OCD, I imagine there are a lot of people folks here could look down on to make themselves feel smugly better about themselves because of the way their brain works.

[JeanGrey]

54. Everyone who gets pregnant through careless (and constant

carelessness at that) aren't autistic or ADD. They are just irresponsible. There is just no excuse for it. Set an alarm clock. Whatever you have to do. If you were diabetic, I bet you wouldn't forget your insulin many times.

[noamnety]

67. Oh, yes.

That's exactly what I meant. All unplanned pregnancies happen to people with autism. Excellent comprehension skills in addition to being the human embodiment of perfection.

[JeanGrey]

80. I'm not the one making excuses.

[Scout]

105. your just the one who expects women to use five methods of birth control

perfectly without failure, and don't forget to hold on to that condom while you're doing the deed!

:rofl:

[Scout]

106. "you're" just the one is what i meant, not "your" n/t

[JeanGrey]

114. Look, it is just NOT THAT HARD to use a couple methods

of birth control. I never lacked for a great sex life and I never got pregnant before I wanted to. But you just have to be extremely careful. If you're not, you might get caught. Most of my friends though admitted they didn't use anything and I think that is case in most of them.

And yeah, you'd better keep a few holds on it if you're smart.

[uppityperson]

122. So, how do you feel about access to safe legal abortions?

Just in case someone gets pregnant?

[JeanGrey]

130. No problem at all up to the level of viability. If the mother's life

is in danger or the child is horribly deformed, fine. After viability, it becomes more difficult. That is only my own personal feeling, I wouldn't push it on anyone else.

I recently read from I think the Guttmacher Institute that 53% of all women have had more than one abortion. What do you think of that? Should abortion be birth control?

[uppityperson]

134. "Should abortion be birth control?"? Abortion is birth control.

Usually, after an abortion you are no longer pregnant and don't give birth.

OK, now end of cluelessness. I assume your question is "should people have sex without contraception beyond using abortion if they get pregnant?".

I know women who had several abortions in a short time, using it as their main type of contraception. Most women who have had abortions do NOT fall into that category though. The vast majority of them, that I know of, did not use it as the prime method of contraception. However, abortion is birth control.

[JeanGrey]

141. I'm sorry but I understand what you are saying but I do not

believe that abortion should be "birth control". What I mean is women who have multiple abortions because they aren't even trying to use real birth control.

[uppityperson]

121. And check for the condom after doing the nasty because all men are pigs

:rofl:

[JeanGrey]

131. Hon, you check BEFORE you're done.

I am really just mystified at some of these answers. As a woman, are you saying that women don't KNOW when a man is wearing a condom?? ROTFLMAO indeed.

I had a friend who gave me that "I didn't know he didn't have a condom on" I wanted to say "was your body with you all day that day?"

[uppityperson]

133. Do you have him pull out, visually inspect, stuck it back in and he ejaculates?

Maybe you just have an extra sensitive vagina, since I can't feel the difference between my partner having one on and not. Most of us women can't, you are very lucky.

[JeanGrey]

137. You've got to be joking. A man is wearing a rubber GLOVE and you

can't feel it? Not to mention the "pull out" part? You don't know the entire penis doesn't stay in there constantly, and all you have to do is reach down? Come on, you guys are pulling my leg, right?

[uppityperson]

143. None of my partners ever wore a rubber glove, but a very thin condom.

Maybe that's the problem, why you can feel it. No, I can't feel a condom inside me. Maybe we should try a rubber glove and then I could feel the rest of it whapping against my pudendum?

I could feel my diaphram riding up against my bladder/urethra, but no, have not the sensitivity to feel a condom on someone, ribbed or not (that is a marketing tool, by the way)

[JeanGrey]

154. Oh Lord. A condom IS a rubber glove.

They must make them differently than any I've seen in 30 years. Strange they still look the same.

[uppityperson]

156. I get the feeling from all you write

that you are a very different person than I am. I call a condom a condom, a penis a penis, and would never be with anyone who is rude enough to throw used condoms, or feces, on the floor. You seem to have different values. Good luck.

Here are a couple facts for you to think about while you continue on in your life.
Gloves have 5 fingers, condoms 1. The skin inside a vagina does not have surface nerves (anatomical fact), though there are deeper ones.

[ryanmuegge]

45. Always use a condom. Never trust anybody to be free of STDs. No matter what.

Somebody's word doesn't mean shit.

[JeanGrey]

55. Yup!

[xioaping]

76. How do you forget. Well...

You might look to Jack or Jose for that answer, for starters.

[redtornado]

14. HERES AN IDEA!

DONT HAVE UNPROTECTED SEX! I find it laughable with all the birth control options out there, people still get pregnant. Most likely because they dont use it at all. The tone of the article is clear. Abortion is a form of birth control, which is absurd.

[Scout]

18. if i were as misinformed as you on this topic, i'd be embarrassed to reveal my ignorance n/t

[LynnTheDem]

23. No bloody kidding.

You said it all, Scout.

[redtornado]

49. How am I "misinformed"?

The idea that birth control pills fail all the time is a cop out. Most of the time the person has not taken them regularly and needs an excuse.

[Ilsa]

62. What birth control do you use? Please, which

method have you found to be fail-safe, and still have intercourse?

[BigDaddy44]

92. There is no such thing

As a "fail-safe" method. Doesn't exist. Beyond sterilization.

[Scout]

89. no one says it fails all the time.

how the fuck would you know that "most of the time the person has not taken them regularly and needs an excuse"?

oh, you pulled some judgmental bullshit out of your ass!

:nuke:

[crimsonblue]

19. condoms break... plus at the end of the box..

it's all to common to say, "fuck it, i'll just pull out".

[JeanGrey]

31. If that is "all too uncommon" then they are "all too stupid" and

possibly partners like this need to be discarded FAST.

[blondie58]

21. and I'm sure that you- being a male

will also follow that sage advice. The only totally safe birth control is NO SEX. Period. Any form of birth control can fail. And yes, abortion should not be used as another form of birth control. :)

this was directed at redtornado- don't know why it posted here! But I forgot to add a welcome to DU:hi:

[Megahurtz]

40. Uh...YEAH!

Abortion is "controlling" a birth DUH! Sorry if you're not the one that has to deal with that. :sarcasm:

[uppityperson]

66. But sex should be totally spontaneous, and if (I) have a condom, that means I might have sex omg!

I mean, REALLY! Who are you to tell me that *I* should have a condom! I am NOT a slut and besides, sex is supposed to be daydreamy wunderful and having to deal with contraception means someone has to touch their parts and that is icky poo! Besides, I'm not THAT kind of girl/guy, who will be acting like those sluts that TALK and PRePArE! I mean, REALLY!!!11

Like that? Oh, in case anyone takes this for my attitude, :sarcasm:

People have unprotected intercourse for varied reasons and Planned Parenthood, Family Planning, other contraception educators keep working with people, esp young ones, or ones who might not want to accept they are sexually active and what that might mean.

[LiberalFighter]

15. Better lock up the boys so they can't use their penises.

[JeanGrey]

32. If I had my way they would ALL get fixed at an early age. If they

want children later it can be reversed.

[High Plains]

36. Good thing we don't live in your matriarchy.

On edit; Actually, I have a vasectomy and am quite happy with it. But I'll make that choice, not you.

[JeanGrey]

51. I understand that. As long as you make the choice to support

your offspring, not me. See how that works?

[Megahurtz]

41. Sounds like an idea.

Think of how many sperm men produce compared to women's one egg a month. Hmmmm now we know where the real problem lies! }(

[JeanGrey]

52. I can foresee a future where this will happen automatically.

[crimsonblue]

17. ding ding chalk us up here...

we weren't exactly planning for a baby... but in the euphoria after KU won the 'Ship, things were forgotten. But, now I have a lovely new fiancée and a baby on the way, so it all works out.

[LynnTheDem]

22. Let them & their unwanted babies starve to death!

Or die from lack of medical care!

That's the Real American Way...if you're a MFing rightwingnut.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

25. Then there are the men who go completely batshit over an unplanned pregnancy.

Some of them are threatening the women and may even beat her up or kill her.
Some of them just verbally abuse her. They do this because babies cost money and they don't want the responsibility, without even thinking about whether or not the mother wants the baby.

[JeanGrey]

26. I took the pill, and used condoms. Funny, I never got

pregnant. I was so paranoid about being an unwed mother I also used my diaphram in addition to from time to time. I just couldn't handle getting pregnant before I was ready.

[Lars39]

42. Nice that it worked for you, and you had the money for all of those

birth control devices. Not everyone is alike.

[redtornado]

48. If you cant afford birth control, or dont wanna use it,

Dont have sex. Then you wont get pregnant. There seems to be lots of people on this board who think that people dont have any responsibility when it comes to getting pregnant. Its not an act of god, it happens for a reason. I think most health care plans should cover vasectomies and tub ties. Other then that, keep it in your pants.

This rant doesnt apply to third world countries.

[Lars39]

50. Sex is one of life's joyous events.

So sorry that your view of life doesn't make you aware of the gray areas.

[JeanGrey]

53. And, like many "joyous events" it has serious consequences

at times that you need to be prepared for.

[ismnotwasm]

95. Oh for fuck's sake

Judgmental little creature aren't you?

I have a grandson because of birth control failure. Light of my life, really, but still a failure of birth control.

Nice of you not to include third world countries.

[JeanGrey]

59. I had a job. I would put it about number one on expenses.

Otherwise, no sex. Besides, how expensive is an abortion? Condoms are cheap.

[Lars39]

60. And it probably cost about $20 20 yrs ago.

BC pills now cost about double that, and wages haven't kept up with inflation.

[JeanGrey]

77. As I said, I treated it like the number one expense. Babies

are a sight more expensive, and so are abortions.

[FloridaJudy]

149. Wow! What a great world you must live in!

Where women only have sex because they want to: no rape, no coercive/abusive spouses or boyfriends. Where there are free clinics within walking/public transportation distance that keep hours to accommodate all working women. Where teenagers know all about the different methods of contraception, and can get them without embarrassment. Where the government, the schools and the various churches are honest about the risks and benefits of different family planning methods, and encourage people to use them. Where all parents and teens have supportive, loving relationships in which sexual issues can be discussed honestly. Where public officials don't lose their jobs for suggesting that masturbation - gasp! - can be a harmless practice.

I didn't know you were posting from the Netherlands, cause that sure doesn't describe the United States my patients live in, or where I've been a family planning nurse-practitioner for the past thirty years. Sure, it's getting better in some ways: at least contraception is legal now - no thanks to the religious fanatics. It wasn't always during my lifetime. I'd invite you to do my job for a week or two if you're so quick to condemn women with unplanned pregnancies...

On second thought, forget about it. People need to be encouraged and taught how to take responsibility for their sexual health, not shamed and condemned for making mistakes. We've tried the "just say no" approach for a few centuries, and it doesn't work. Mother nature is a sly bitch, and she's given us a strong sex drive to make sure we continue as a species. Unfortunately we've reached a point where our very numbers are a threat to our existence. We can guide that drive in healthful directions, just as we have many others: most of the developed world no longer gets its drinking water from filthy ditches, for example, though that could change. And we can be sexual beings without exploiting others or risking bringing unwanted children into the world.

But it takes education. And compassion.

End of rant.

[JeanGrey]

155. Oh please spare the propaganda, would you?

Because I always had birth control as a number one option?? This was in the seventies, my dear! I was making $3 an hour then and still managed to have BC! CONDOMS ARE CHEAP. Everyone KNOWS what causes pregnancy!

I was raped as a child, but never as an adult or teen. Are you trying to say that everyone is FORCED into sex? Of course that happens, but you are simply refusing to accept the fact that the majority of people out there HAVE A CHOICE and choose to not use birth control. That is all I'm saying and no amount of ranting will change that fact. Check the Guttmacher statistics.

[noamnety]

68. No kidding.

Ms. Privilege here seems to think sex is reserved for rich people. If you can't afford multiple prescriptions, multiple doctors visits plus disposable birth control on top of that, you should die celibate, I guess. Anything else is irresponsible.

It's a lot easy to be "responsible" when you have excess money to burn. And an added bonus is that you can afford a nice pedestal from which you can survey those irresponsible poor folk.

[JeanGrey]

78. Ah, I was waiting for the "you must be rich" answer, it never

fails. I was far from rich. Working two jobs at the time.

[noamnety]

82. If you can afford routine doctor's visits

and multiple prescriptions, you are a lot better off than millions of people in this country, which I'm sure you are aware of.

Many people can't even find one job, let alone one that gives health benefits, or time off to see a doctor.

Your attitude is not one of compassion or even understanding; it's smug superiority.

[JeanGrey]

83. Nonsense. Condoms do not require "regular doctor's visits".

Even going on the pill can be done at health clinics, as I have taken many girls to do it. They charge you on a sliding scale.

And as I've pointed out, how expensive is an unwanted pregnancy?

[AlphaCentauri]

88. I would prefer to expend 10 dollar a month than to have an abortion

[Psephos]

115. So, no money for birth control. But pregnancy and abortion are cheaper?

At a point well short of where your reasoning leads, choosing to have sex carries with it personal responsibilities for the outcome.

Birth control is extremely cheap compared to the alternatives. Scratch that, it's extremely cheap, period.

[JeanGrey]

132. To anyone who has EVER raised a child, Amen.

[Megahurtz]

38. The Fundies are just Tickled Pink

over this news. :puke:

[Ilsa]

63. Yeah, their tiny brains are muttering, "It's working," over and over. nt

[treestar]

85. Exactly, I can hear them already, "Don't have sex if you don't want

to get pregnant."

:argh: :argh:

[MountainLaurel]

94. Judging by some comments in this thread

It ain't just the fundies.

[SocratesInSpirit]

109. And what are married people supposed to do?

Abstain from sex? Oh, wait, I forgot - they're supposed to accept as many children as God sees fit to give them.

:argh: indeed. Maybe we don't all want to be like the Duggars.

[electron_blue]

90. Also, bcp's are often only given out one month at a time and can only be renewed

after the 3rd week. I remember feeling like I was being treated like an irresponsible child (at 30!) because they would only give the pills out in such a miserly fashion. I don't know if it's better now.

[One_Life_To_Give]

93. WOW, Thats alot of Women wanting to get Pregnant!!!

Each year, half of American women who would rather not get pregnant will have an unplanned pregnancy, often because they failed to use their contraceptive properly or forgot to use it at all, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday.

I estimate based on the above about 120million american women want to get pregnant each year. Hence there are only 28 million women who don't want to become pregant and are therefor at risk.

[ileus]

101. have they ever heard of a free clinic? they're everywhere.

[Ohio Joe]

107. I find it interesting that the article puts all the blame on women

and not one shred of responsibility on men. Thats just not right.

[JeanGrey]

152. It sure isn't. But other than forcing their hands, I wouldn't be

trusting it. I depend on myself, that way I'm never disappointed.

[thunderdog]

116. In this day an age, the majority of unplanned pregnancies can be attributed to one thing--

stupidity.

(I did not say all, I said "majority") :hide:

[Scout]

118. you're sadly misinformed and dare i say it? perhaps stupid yourself n/t

[thunderdog]

124. I have no doubt done some stupid things along the way; however,

I have somehow managed not to be involved in an unplanned pregnancy for the past 34 years and counting.

[uppityperson]

123. "Stupidity" how?

Explain please. Since you post little ducking smiley guy you must expect to get asked and/or blasted, so why don't you explain a bit more first? Thank you.

[thunderdog]

125. What I am saying is that people all across the age spectrum are far more knowledgeable with respect

to sex than they were 30 or 40 years ago. As such, it is irresponsible behavior and stupidity that leads to MOST unwanted pregnancies in the present era.

I know that it is not very trendy to hold people responsible for irresponsible behavior; nonetheless, the facts remain as they always have been--FACTS.

[uppityperson]

128. Holding people responsible for irresponsible behavior is fine with most of us.

Calling them stupid is not. If, as you say, most are knowledgeable, then it is not stupidity but irresponsibility and most of us hold people responsible for irresponsible behavior.

[krabigirl]

148. LOL are you kidding??? Contraception fails.

[JeanGrey]

153. Bingo.

[noonwitch]

126. I'm not overly sympathetic-only on a case by case basis.

Women can refuse to have sex until they have contraception that works. That works better than anything medical technology can come up with.

They can use condoms properly-they can practice on bananas first, if necessary. As I tell the teenaged girls I work with "If he won't wear a condom, he doesn't care enough about you for you to have sex with him".

Or, women can have unprotected sex and realize that they might end up pregnant, and then face a set of far worse choices than that of whether to have sex or not.

[AngryAmish]

127. With Chuck Norris, all women are at risk of a wanted pregnancy