It is strange to think about the things that happened at Planned Parenthood during my time there. I thought so much of what was happening was “normal.” Looking back, I see how they were anything but that.
We had hundreds of protocols. Some were pretty common sense, others not so much. One protocol in particular has really got me thinking over the past couple of weeks, IUDs. An IUD is a birth control method that is inserted into the cervix. They function in several different ways; however, the primary way they work is by creating a hostile uterine environment so that a fertilized egg would not be able to implant on the uterine lining.
Part of our protocol talked about the insertion and removal. The other part talked about when it could be inserted. Get ready for this…
Our protocol stated that IUDs could be inserted on pregnant women in order to cause an abortion. Yes. You read that right. If a woman came in and was early in her pregnancy, we would insert an IUD to cause an abortion. She would have only been a few days pregnant. A pregnancy test would not have shown up positive. We didn’t have a confirmation of pregnancy.
Out of sight, out of mind, right? How many children have been aborted because of this dangerous protocol? What is the real number of abortions performed by Planned Parenthood? We will never know. Did we tell patients that this protocol would abort their child? No, of course we didn’t.
One day, a woman came in complaining of severe abdominal pain. She had an IUD. During her exam, it was determined that her IUD was the source of her discomfort, so it would need to be removed. I came in to assist. I was astounded when her IUD was removed.
On the end of that IUD was a tiny baby. We estimated the child to be 9 weeks. That baby had been growing on the end of a birth control device, but not to worry. Planned Parenthood says IUDs are safe.
During my time working for Planned Parenthood, I decided an IUD would be the best method for me. After 3 years of use, I had no side effects. At least, that’s what I thought. After I had my IUD removed, I realized there might be a problem with my body. I had never had a problem getting pregnant, but several months had now passed, and every pregnancy test came back negative.
What was going on? I had some blood work run and was told I didn’t produce several hormones. My body had tried to produce the hormones while the IUD was in, but the IUD won. My body couldn’t compete. I am only pregnant now because of NFP, supplemental hormones, and an amazing doctor.
I found out several months ago that a woman had miscarried because of an IUD inserted at my clinic. She was pregnant when it was inserted. That isn’t supposed to happen, but mistakes are made, and her child paid the price.
She went to the emergency room because she was having severe abdominal pain. She didn’t know she was pregnant until they did an ultrasound to find out what was wrong. There was her baby. His heart had stopped. She had to deliver her baby and have her IUD removed all in the same visit to the hospital. He was 18 weeks old. Why did this happen? It happened because an IUD is made to abort children.
So, why would Planned Parenthood lie and say IUDs are safe? Planned Parenthood pays less than $300.00 for an IUD. Planned Parenthood is also reimbursed over $750.00 from the federal government, our tax dollars.
Is that a good enough reason? It is for Planned Parenthood. Patients first? Prevention first? No to all of those questions. It’s about money first and foremost, always.
This is horrifying. Oh my God. Thank you for coming forward with all this information.
I am very happy for you and your new baby. NFP rocks!
God bless,
Yeah, I am shocked, alright. And once again, not at all surprised. My parents have been outspokenly against Planned Parenthood for as many years as I can remember. My mom used to stay up at night stuffing envelopes for Ohio Right to Life, and they would try to inform as many as possible. My whole family has, and PP has done nothing but grow. I think you are an instrument of the Lord. He put you on a path that will ultimately lead to the demise of PP. I really believe that.God Bless you and your work, and always, your sweet new baby, and your daughter as well.
I am so grateful for this information. IUD’s never fast right with me anyways. My doc had been begging me to get one, and now I know for sure that that is not happening…ever! Thanks for sharing 🙂
My mother worked as a Labor and Delivery nurse for 20 years. She delivered two IUD failures.. one where the baby actually was holding the IUD in his little fist, and another where the IUD was implanted in the placenta. Praise God that those IUD’s failed!!! God Bless you for sharing your testimony!:)
I finally found out the truth about birth control especially IUD’s, and had mine removed. Now im 4th months pregnant. Not planned but I feel very blessed and im happy. I wont be fooled about what doctors and nurses say about birth control not more!
I wish more people knew the truth about the dangers of birth control. NFP is the way to go!
I’m only 16 years old and my name is Felisha, i have always been pro-life, for several reasons, reading what Abby Johnson has had to say has only helped me to talk to those who are pro-choice and explain what might be wrong here.
Your blog and your witness are inspiration! Thank you for sharing this horrifying story. </3
Jamie
For Love of Cupcakes
So thankful that this information is finally being broadcast from a platform like yours – THANK YOU!!!Same goes for certain types of birth control pills (they do not prevent pregnancy but rather prevent the baby/fertilized egg from attaching and growing), right?
Yes, Liz. That is correct.
What would be a better alternative for birth control if you already have a IUD?? This is so scary!!
I would say any non-hormonal method…or NFP. My husband and I very happy with NFP. I would check into that.
OMG that is awful! I just told my mom this story (who doesn’t even care about this stuff much) and she even freaked out! I used to work with a girl that had and IUD. She used to go on and on how she LOVED having it because she never got AF or Menstrual cramps which were “inconvenient for her” heaven forbid!
I just had my IUD removed one month ago. I had it in for three years. I had really no side affects (it was the copper IUD). Then, I skipped a period entirely after spotting on what was supposed to be three weeks before my period. After my husband and I began researching the “what if I was pregnant scenario” we were introduced to the major risks I would be putting to not only my baby but also myself if I were to get pregnant on an IUD. When I went to the midwife to get it taken out, she said after the three year marker they start to lose their effectiveness! Anyway, we’re now one month into NFP. Birth control is a dead-end. If you’re not feeding your body artificial hormones, you’re killing a baby!
Just when you think you’ve heard it all about Planned Parenthood…
So, just to get this straight…when they inserted the IUD, was the woman informed that she was pregnant and being inserted with an IUD? Because if she’s not informed, that’s not only wrong for the child, but wrong for the mother as well and extremely hypocritical for these advocates of “choice”.
I have a teen daughter who likes to watch Teen Mom 2. I watch it with her as it has brought good dialogue. Last nights episode had to be a Planned Parenthood dream/ The Teen Mom, went to guess where???? PP..to discuss Birth Control ( does she realize where Isac came from) and they promoted the name Marina IUD over and over and over. Totally a paid endorsement. They even had the nerve to show her get it, like WOW..amazing with her smile the whole time ( how much was cut we will never know) and she walked out the door singing its praises. This scares me to death.
Re-read your post, got the answer to my question.
God have mercy..
I was reading just the other day about the connections between miscarriages and birth control. Not just IUD’s but the pill as well. Chemically and/or forcibly suppressing our God given ability to conceive and bear children is unnatural so it is only logical that there would be adverse side effects.
NFP is amazing! One of my friends started up when she got married and she says that its probably the most effective birth control, next to abstinence of course. Thank you for this post Abby, its life saving 🙂
God bless!
I support personal choice. The IUD is an effective form of birth control, like every other hormonal birth control there are risks involved, IUD’s are rated more effective than tubal ligation where an egg can still be fertilized yet not have the chance of reaching the uterus to implant and grow. Not like with the IUD where yes, there are risks but a pregnancy still has the ability to happen…should it actually happen! I know there are many different beliefs but the fact of the matter is, a lot of women find these and other methods useful in there lives. It’s just important to know what you as an individual are comfortable with and being evaluated by a physician to see what method is best for you. I believe relating IUD use to abortions is a little far fetched and uncalled for. I Have worked for two doctors offices (not a planned parenthood) where one of the requirements is two pregnancy tests 1-2wks apart to confirm/deny pregnancy before insertion…I question the resources of anyone who says a licensed provider would insert an IUD without ruling out pregnancy before insertion!
I have an IUD right now, I’m a single mother of 3, engaged, and an not sure if I want another baby, our at least not for another 3 or 4 years… What options do I have when I get mine removed? After reading this I don’t want it anymore!
IUDs are also very dangerous for women. I close friend of mine was poisoned by hers and has since found many others who experienced the same thing. She has had it out for almost 2 years now and us still not back to her normal self and is even legally blind in one eye b/c of the Mirena IUD. http://mylifeaftermirena.blogspot.com/
I used NFP for years and after my daughter, my silly husband wanted something more than my “guessing” chart. So I went in for an IUD. After 6weeks of heavy bleeding and feeling like I was sick all the time, my IUD came out. Yep, CAME OUT! So that was my sign for God, no more Birth control! NFP for me. It’s way easier.
My sister was an IUD baby and because of that, she was born two months early. My mom was never told how the IUD worked or she would have NEVER used it. She only found out how it worked when I told her about it 34 years after the fact. There needs to be more truth told about this stuff. Thanks Abby for telling it like it is.
40-odd years ago my gynaecologist father-in-law refused to insert IUDs. He told patients requesting them to go and get their cervical cancer somewhere else.
Thank you for saying this!!! I am 33, and had Mirena IUD for 2 years before I realized it was depleting my body of what I needed! It messed my hormones up so bad that I could not lose weight, it made my body go from hypothyroidism to Hashimoto’s, it put me into a menopausal state- no periods, hot flashes, night sweats, I lost bone density and now am borderline osteoporosis, it gave me severe depression so bad I almost ended myself, because all of my endocrine system was out of whack, and starved my body of the vitamins and nutrients it needed. I had so many health problems, one right after the other, it was ridiculous! It has taken me a year and a half of vitamin/mineral regimen, with a good diet and exercise to even BEGIN to feel normal again, after having it removed! We have 5 kids, so we are done, and I’m happy I got my tubes clamped! No hormones from BC! However, I now have to use a progesterone cream every month to help keep me balanced. My dear friend was also on Mirena, and 6months after having it taken out she developed uterine cancer WHILE she was pregnant! It surrounded the baby, and nearly killed my friend! But both lived, and let me tell you how many other stories she has heard about other women developing cancer afterwards! It’s online! Google it! The manufacturers are all going to tell you Mirena is safe! But it isn’t! Stay away from synthetic BC!!!
This does not surprise me. I am an L&D nurse and I have actually delivered a baby where the IUD was stuck to his head when he delivered and had to be removed. He screamed as the doctor removed it after delivery. Poor lil guy! I do not like IUDs or any form of birth control that aborts an already fertilized egg.
I love you posts and respect what you do so much, but I do have to disagree on this post. Obviously, PP’s tactic is wrong—a pregnancy test should be done and there should be a waiting period before inserting an IUD. Abortion in all forms is wrong, but I strongly believe pre-conception birth control is not. I had an IUD put in after our first child, and had it removed about a year and a half later. In less than 3 months we were pregnant, and were pregnant again 9 months after our second child was born. Obviously an IUD comes with certain risks, just as aspirin or Robotussin does, but when used by an ethical doctor as birth control only, it is just as safe as many other drugs on the market.
It is not safe. And it is unnecessary. It is not used for “pre-conception.” It aborts babies. You should listen to someone who has experienced this first hand!
Thank you for boldly sharing the TRUTH!!! So many women are told to get an IUD–as it is “the best option” I am a mother of four–and my own OB told me that an IUD was a better alternative than a vasectomy!!! It breaks my heart–and I am so thankful that you are able to spread the truth to so many! Thank you for being obedient to Christ’s calling!! God Bless you for your heart and your willingness to serve and share!!
I hate artificial birth control so much, especially hormonal methods. There is no way it can be good for a woman to pump her body full of hormones for the majority of her fertile years.
Using NFP and trusting God with our fertility has been such a blessing in my husband’s and my life. Thank goodness the Catholic Church has held fast to the truth on this teaching.
Thank you, Abby, for your courageous work!
I am a Christian. I do not support PP in everything they do. I have an IUD and it works perfect for me. Not everyone can practice NFP. I am a huge fan of IUD and I am keeping it. However, thanks for the info. God Bless All.
About 10 years ago, back in Germany, my doctor gave me a hormonial IUD that would last 5 years and had wonderful effects. I paid 580 Euros (about $800) for it and It suppressed hunger, made my skin clearer, no more headaches, etc… During the five years I moved to another city, not too far away AND I was saved. ;)Well, when the 5 years had gone to pass, I decided to get this one out and get a new one. I called around for a doctor and God lead me to call one, who on the phone simply said: ” I will take your old one out, but I will not replace it with a new one” when I asked why, she said “because I’m a Christian”.
I didn’t understand, I was baffled… I asked her what was wrong with it and she explained to me that instead of preventing pregnancies to happen this particular IUD sometimes allowed a pregnancy and would then abort the child.
That made me think, how many little lives were lost in those 5 years, and I didn’t know but the good effects this IUD had.
This should be forbidden!
Im on an IUD and i love it! My periods are a little out of wack but ive had it for almost 2 years now. No miscarrages, no unplanned pregnancy, no problems!
I had a hormonal IUD 33 ago and after I researched it myself I realized an IUD doesn’t prevent the egg from being fertilized, it just causes it to die. I believe life begins at conception so I felt awful about how many babies I may have unknowing killed. The same month I had it removed I became pregnant (by choice)and now have three grandboys that wouldn’t otherwise be here. PTL
Thanks for sharing the information about how an IUD works, and I think that all optional medical treatments need to be researched by a person before going ahead with it. All optional treatments carry risk and side effects, even though they are “safe”.I also know this is your personal blog, and I respect that what you put there is up to you. I do hope that people reading this remember that there are a million reasons why a woman, a couple (even married) choose to not become parents or to limit their family size. I am a strong supporter of Planned Parenthood, and I am saddened that an organization that provides so much medical support for all areas of health be attacked over what is about 3% of their caseload.
Blessings to you.
Hello Thank u so much for telling people what the IUD’s do I wish I would have know sooner. BC of my IUD we lost a baby the doctors said I was about 3 months along and the IUD caused my body to abort the baby. We had only used the IUD bc we have a little boy that was very sick at birth and is now starting to do better but we wanted to know what was wrong with him bf we had any more children If I knew what I know now It would have never been placed. We have 4 children now and I would love to have more we just needed the time to figure out what was wrong with my son. I will never have anothe IUD placed. I will take a chance and trust god that he will care for any future children that we will have. I am again abortion and my husband and I and so heartbroken that we lost a baby to a peice of plastic. thank u so much for spreading awareness to what the IUD’s do to women and there babies that they get PG with using the IUD.
Back in the 80’s, a close friend of mine almost died from having an IUD implanted before she’d had any children. Like me, she believed the lie that Planned Parenthood was a humane organization. They implanted an IUD into her. You aren’t supposed to put IUDs in women who’ve never given birth. Planned Parenthood should have known better. The resulting infection almost killed her. Planned Parenthood is a crappy organization.
I am very interested in what some of you would suggest for a woman who actually needs the hormones for their off-label uses? NFP simply is not an option when you greatly need to not have to spend 2-7 days a month (and often many, many more – there have been several months where I have bled, heavily, for 30 or more days and when I went back to the doctor they treated the condition with Plan B) in painful anguish, not able to go to work, and having to monitor blood loss so that you don’t end up in the emergency room (I have also had to have blood transfusions for loss during a period).
I recently had a baby and we were, unfortunately, unable to breastfeed. Prior to the pregnancy, which was planned, I took ortho tricyclen lo without using the sugar pills in order to not have to suffer through a period every month. At my last appointment, I brought up the possibility of the Mirena IUD so that I wouldn’t have to go back to remembering using the pill everyday. My doctor told me that it may help.
I consider myself prolife, I believe that abortion should only be chosen when there truly is no other option (several years ago I experienced an ectopic pregnancy which had to be removed), but I find myself hesitant to truly get involved in the movement because I keep seeing and reading articles that call for birth control being illegal to obtain as well when I need it to live as normal and pain free life as possible. The last time I was involved in a local pregnancy center, I was eventually told I needed to decide what was more important – the birth control that allowed me to lead a functional life OR volunteering with the center because the director, a post-menopausal woman, believed that the two were mutually exclusive.
I’m torn about this issue because I need the hormonal balance so that I’m not at risk of bleeding uncontrollably and being in so much pain that I cannot get out of bed and yet here you’re telling me that if I get the Mirena, its method of action is to cause an abortion. So is there a hormonal option that does not carry this risk?
Thank you.
Nikita, I had the bleeding and pain problem that you had for alot of my life. I had doctor after doctor tell me that birth control pills was what they prescribe for what was wrong with me. I refused the birth control pills and asked was there anything else I could do. All of them refused to help me. Well after many years of suffering I had an episode of pain that left me on the floor crippled in pain. I called a friend that referred me to a OB/Gyn who gave me options. Turns out that I had fibroid tumors lining my entire uterous and a huge cyst on one of my ovaries. I could have years prior if I had been informed had a surgery that would have taken care of the fibroids to cure the bleeding. I because I was so sick of all of it decided to have a complete hystorectomy but would have chosen something else had I been informed years earlier when I was younger. Hormones are not the answer. I suggest you go see a better doctor that knows what they are doing and not getting paid by the drug companies to prescribe birth control pills.
I got my IUD last Dec 2010 and back in Aug and Sept I had problems ( TMI to post) but I’m certain it caused me to miscarriage. In November I went and had it removed because after reading up on IUD’s I realized what they really do. Most people won’t have problems but the sad thing is they don’t know the hidden and unknown things its doing to their body and if they get pregnant then their baby. I’m now against them. Thank you Abby for posting this.
Everyone who is saying “I am pro-life but I have an IUD and love it!” is not hearing what Abby is saying. Nor are you listening to the facts presented about IUD’s. If you go to Mirena’s website (one brand of IUD) they admit it works by inflaming the uterine lining and preventing the baby from implanting. If someone is truly pro-life and believes life begins at conception then how can they continue to use a contraceptive that destroys newly conceived human life? That is highly hypocritical.
I know I can’t convict anyone. Only the Holy Spirit can convict. I do hope the Christians posting here will prayerfully consider what they have read and ask the Holy Spirit to show them what HIS will in this matter is.
And btw, congratulations on your new baby Abby! I know you’ve wanted another baby for a while. I also was longing for more children for a while and I am 7 months pregnant with another son! God is really good!
My 2 year old daughter was born after BC failure when I was on nuvaring. I am a nurse and a Christian. I believe it was in God’s plan for my husband and I to have her, BC or not. I have had the murina iud since she was 6 weeks old. I don’t want to have another child right now, but I believe if God wants me to have another child, he can make it happen, iud or not.
After our son was born in 2008, I had a Mirena IUD put in. My doctor at that time never told me that my fertilized egg could be aborted, if he had, I would have never gotten it. I still wonder to this day why I was never told this, because I feel that every doctor should know this if they’re going to prescribe it for women, they should know and tell all the facts before they put something into your body that can stay there for five years. I honestly thought it was safe and the best choice for me and my husband. I had it removed February 2011 because we decided to try for another baby. A few months after that, I started researching more about abortion after seeing Lila Rose on Fox News talking about her website Live Action. I found out so many things from that site and others, including from you Abby. So I found out the truth about IUD’s after I had mine removed. I was disgusted and couldn’t help but cry, wondering how many of our babies were unknowingly aborted because I didn’t know the truth about IUD’s. So it took us about 7 months to get pregnant (I am now 16 weeks along). With our first child it only took two months. I really do wonder if we would have become pregnant sooner if I wouldn’t have ever had an IUD. Thank you Abby for bringing this topic to light and informing women and men everywhere. God Bless you and your family.
If only NFP were as popular as birth control! If only people would get it! Thanks for your insight and for all your work to bring awareness. I just wish that the general public would see and understand what they’re doing to their bodies.
I am sickened by your story about the baby that had grown on the end of the IUD device. I think you need to write another book about all of the stuff you’ve posted about this year!
Anyone else find it offensive that Catholic hospitals prescribe hormonal birth control? (outside of when medically necessary for other reasons)
To Nikita:
I think you need to see a doctor who specializes on naturally curing the types of problems you are having. I am not sure where you’re from but you should look into someone with the same types of treatments as the Pope Paul VI Institute in Omaha, NE. I have been seeing a doctor there, had two surgeries, and am cramp-free – no more anguish for me. They address the problems you’re having instead of prescribing birth control or other artificial hormones.
The link to their website is: http://www.popepaulvi.com/
I’m sure they’d find you a doctor near where you live
I never knew about I.U.Ds. I have two children and they were both born out of wedlock. I grew up not taking birth control and was promiscuous, I had a child at 18. He was a gift from God regardless if I was married. I do believe now that you should be married before sex. This process of life has taught me what the church teaches is right I had to learn for myself and I only wish that my children hopefully will learn the reasons why it is so important to wait. Reading all these posts helped me to realize it is GOD who gives us LIFE and when it is GIVEN we should EMBRACE it no matter what circumstance, he is the all powerful and loving God. I use to be ashamed of myself and then I finally forgave myself, now I am happy to say I know God helped me through it all (even when a family member suggested I just have an abortion because it would ruin my life). Thank God I tried to follow what God was whispering in my ear, A BABY IS LIFE and responsibility is in life without God we have nothing, no life!
Abby, you are terrific! For those who feel they need to use hormones of any kind to deal with heavy bleeding, etc. – go ahead and use them, but practice chastity. We all have burdens to bear in this life, and if this is yours, then so be it. Any abortifacient is unacceptable. Using health problems to justify it is unnecessary as well as dishonest. Blessed are those who suffer…
Well I had a horrible experience with mine and was not advised how it worked. I had to have surgery to remove it.I had trouble getting pregnant with my second child. I would not recommend it to anyone and now that I know how it works I am heartbroken.
I had a Iud put in after my middle daughter… had my first 18 months apart thought it would be the best method… I was breastfeeding they siad that was safe but I had great difficulty maintaining my milk supply still kept nursing her though.. When she was about a year and a half I went from having no peiord to having a very heavy bleeding that was still going after 3 weeks… So i went to my Obgyn they did an unltrasound and determined that I was 12 weeks pregnat but that there was not a heartbeat in fact they were not even sure how long the baby had been in there could have been several months…anyway they had to do a D and E to take out the IUD and my lost Baby. After that I decided to learn NFP so that I would never put another baby through that again… the Docs told me with all the scarring I porlly woul dnever conceive again but 3 years later I had a baby girl… I have however had 2 other miscarraiges since then and one tubal pregancy… we have been Trying for about 4 years now and I either haven’t concevied or ended in miscarriage:( and I have endometriosis and heavy painful periods all this started from a “safe” IUD 😛
I was considering an IUD after my third child, HOWEVER, once I read the pamphlet that my doctor gave me that it can cause “loss of pregnancy”, I said no to it. Even though the chance of getting pregnant on it is slim, still a chance and I would never be able to live with myself if my baby died b/c of my choice.
Oh and God bless you and your family, Abby. I find your story inspirational! Congrats on your Baptism!
@ Nikita – Try implanon. It’s not the same – it stops ovulation – but in most cases will cancel out a period. For three years.
There are enough options for contraception nowadays that an abortive one is not the only choice.
Implanon is no better.
Abby, I think you’re terrific… I praise God you saw the light and I think that He has you on your way to doing terrific and wonderful things.
And, while I love your articles, this on I don’t know if I agree with…
I worked in Gynecology (not Planned Parenthood – an actual GYN office in a Hosptial) for many years. We used the IUD’s… We used them very seldomly (we didn’t offer them… patients who requested them were usually the only ones to get them and even then…) we would give them to women ONLY IF:
1. The woman HAD children and didn’t want more at the moment, but didn’t want sterilization because they wanted more children in the future.
2. They had a blood test to confirm that they were NOT pregnant at least 3 days prior to insertion.
3. They had a urine test moments before insertion.
4. And lastly, they HAD to be on their menses during insertion.
All these things combined, made it almost impossible that they would be pregnant at the time of insertion. As well as we didn’t just give it to anyone. You had to have children and know that you didn’t want any more at the moment.
I worked there for many, many years (and would still be there if I didn’t have a better job offer come to me) and I never, not once, saw a patient have an issue of those sorts. Not saying they can’t happen, oh, I’m sure they could… But, I think that the IUD can be very beneficial to women who could potentially be at planned parenthood to HAVE an abortion when she got pregnant… (also, we did NOT do abortions in our office)
My sister had an IUD (the Paragard – one with no hormones – only copper) in for 10 years. She took it out when she wanted to have another child… I can say that she has had two more children since having it removed. And her last son she had at 40 years old… healthy and strong… This is just my opinion though..
I think you are amazing… I don’t want to take that from you! Coming from someone who used to be pro-choice and am now pro-life (after having abortions of my own *tears*)… I think you ROCK! Please keep up the amazing work and I will continue to follow your writings and spread them to everyone and share them with my friends…
May God bless you in every way imaginable.
-Chrissie
Any hormone form of birth control can contribute to the growth of certain cancers, particularly breast cancer, ovarian cancer and cervical and uterine cancers IUD like mirena deliver hormones directly to the cervix and uterus. that can’t be good. I think Joans gynecologist father-in-law was right and more ethical than most in operating under the knowledge that the AMA has been aware of for years.
I am so confused…an IUD aborts babies??? I have had an IUD for seven years and this is the first I am hearing about this. I do not go to PP and have always just gone through a regular OB/GYN. What peer-reviewed medical literature can I read that discusses this?
My husband and I have been married for ten years and we have been blessed with two beautiful children. My husband does not want any more children. NFP is not a viable option for us. About 50% of the people we know who tried this ended up pregnant; much too low of a success rate for me. I guess the only alternative is for him to get “snipped”!
This blog post made me research my birth control pill. It disturbs me greatly that my pill keeps a fertilized egg from implanting. In my mind, that’s abortion for my body. I’m very upset because I need the pill to regulate my very heavy cycles. I got on the pill because I was alternately bleeding months at a time without stopping and then not having a cycle for months at a time. I also went on it because the cramps were so bad nothing could relieve the pain. Even with the pill, I have to wear diapers to catch my heavy flow. I also have hormonal PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome, and I was told that I don’t ovulate and that getting pregnant would be hard and would most likely require fertility drugs. Even if I am unlikely to ovulate and have an egg that could be fertilized, I don’t want to take that chance. All the research I’ve done suggests birth control to regulate my hormones to regulate my cycles. Do you know of a different type of therapy that will help regulate my cycles without the risk of aborting a child unknowingly? Please help if you can!
My husband and I have 5 beautiful children. After the 4th one, we learned NFP. We spaced our 4th and 5th out 5 years. We have now used it for 8 years with no “failures”. We planned the last baby and were open to life the first four. We are still open to life, but as the 40 year old mother of five children, I am content with my family size. If God chooses to bless us with another child, we will be happy, but we practice chastity in our marriage during the times we would be most likely to conceive. I don’t have to worry about blocking God’s will or about hormones and it has been a huge blessing to our marriage. Now my 16 year old daughter has irregular menstrual cycles and severe cramps. The OB/GYN would have had her on BC in 30 seconds if I had not intervened. I do not want her to have her body full of hormones…even if she isn’t sexually active (which she isn’t). We are exploring our options.
My 2 year old daughter was born after BC failure when I was on nuvaring. I am a nurse and a Christian. I believe it was in God’s plan for my husband and I to have her, BC or not. I have had the murina iud since she was 6 weeks old. I don’t want to have another child right now, but I believe if God wants me to have another child, he can make it happen, iud or not.
Jessica, of course God can overcome any obstacles and sin we give him, but why would we want to put up those obstacles or commit those sins in the first place? God didn’t design our bodies wrong, and he didn’t “forget” that we (supposedly) needed contraception. He actually never intended for our bodies to be manipulated and made barren. No Christian in the world believed that contraception was okay, for almost 2,000 years, until Margaret Sanger (whose slogan was “no gods, no masters) came along and founded Planned Parenthood. Then, one by one, some Christian denominations (well, eventually all Protestant denominations) began to cave. And some have gone further and accepted abortion as well. Every Christian must decide whether or not we are going to follow Christian teaching (which has condemned contraception since the beginning) or follow the Planned Parenthood mentality. We must not be fooled.
Blessings!
Regular birth control pill is not benign either. Part of its effect is contraceptive 1) thickening cervical mucus to prevent sperm from reaching the ova and 2) suppressing ovulation, but another chemical effect is abortifacient — 3) significantly thinning the lining of the uterus to prevent implantation of an already fertilized embryo.
Here are some great resources for investigating further, the most comprehensive of which is Randy Alcorn’s extensive research of medical journals, scientific studies, etc.
– Does the Birth Control Pill Cause Abortions? By Dr. Randy Alcorn
– The Pill: Contraceptive or Abortifacient by Pharmacists for Life
– A Hard Pill to Swallow by Agnieszka Tennant (Christianity Today)
– Can Christians Use Birth Control?: Dr. Albert Mohler:
– The Pill: Should Orthodox Christians by Concerned? by Armenian Church Library
Anyone who says they need birth control to prevent pregnancy until they are ready should try practicing self control. Birth control is just an excuse to do what you want without dealing with the responsibility that comes with it. As a teenager, young and stupid, I only used ortho tricyclin lo for a period of 8 months. When I found out the truth about how it works, I shared it with my now husband and we agreed to stop using it. We used the rhythm method for two years, got married, and now, five years later, we have three beautiful boys. Birth control is not a necessity and doesn’t prevent pregnancy, only destroys it. Women should give themselves more credit than to say, “I need it” and just try self control. Really, is having a baby when you think it’s inconvenient so bad you want to risk your health? No one is ever “ready” to have a baby, but when it happens most want to embrace it even though there are those who want to embrace but are scared and given misinformation. Birth control is not safe, not effective, and not the answer.
Abby, I had an IUD in the 70’s that grew to my uterus. I felt weird the whole time it was in, which was only about 6 months. I went to the doctor to have it taken out and when he went to pull it out, I screamed. It had grown to my uterus. I ended up having to have it surgically removed. I had about 7 miscarriages after it was out. My last child was premature and is doing fine, but I know that the IUD damaged my uterus and caused me not to be able to carry babies to term. I had no idea that they worked like your saying or I would have never had one put in.
Abby,
You are so right about IUD’s and hormonal BC methods in general. I even talked to my OBGYN extensively about my concerns and he assured me that IUD’s and hormonal BC do not cause abortions. After further research it appears that is exactly what the manufactures want the Dr.s to think! Most women have no idea that these types of BC cause abortions. It is sad that this is covered up and is not openly explained. I am glad you are speaking out about this! Keep up the fabulous work!
I don’t want to get into the abortion debate…Or the god debate…
Or even the hormonal birth control debate (something I don’t think I’ll ever go back to)
But to see all these women shocked by the way the IUD works, is well, off putting. Does no one look into these things before using them? It is well known that many birth controls disrupt the lining of the uterus possibly making it more likely that a fertilized egg will have trouble implanting, though many fertilized eggs never successfully implant even in healthy women using no birth control.
I want to differentiate myself from the other Sarah. I am the 7 months pregnant Sarah. I am going to call myself Sarah G.
To say that God will give you a child if He wants and to use it as an excuse for using a birth control method that works by preventing implantation is flawed thinking. Thats like saying “I don’t want another baby right now so I am going to this clinic for a surgical abortion. If God really wants this baby to be born He will make the baby survive the abortion!”
Maybe God had you read this blog for a reason. Maybe He is trying to prick your conscience and get your attention. IUD’s work by preventing a newly conceived human being from implanting. The baby starves and is flushed from your body during menstruation as the child cannot implant to draw nourishment or send hormones into your body to prevent your period. That is how they work. If you know this, why continue to justify using one?
You could use that mentality “God will prevent it…” with other things. Like “I am going to drive drunk. If God really wants me to live He will get me home in one piece.” God does not always protect us from the consequences of our sin. And unfortunately sin can affect innocent people as well, such as our unborn children. I was on the pill for years. I didn’t know it could cause an abortion. I did conceive my first son while on Yaz. But I didn’t use that as an excuse to continue to ingest a poison I now knew could kill a newly conceived child of mine.
I don’t mean to sound harsh (sometimes I do on the internet). I really hope Christians will pray about this. This is a serious issue.
to B: you can contact the Paul VI Institute in Omaha, Nebraska. They have great success with helping women with PCOS. Most women with PCOS do struggle with infertility, however, I know I have poly cystic ovaries (I’ve seen them on an ultrasound) and I have 9 children. So, just because a doctor told you it would be difficult for you to have a baby (and it may be) doesn’t mean you don’t have to worry about an IUD causing an early abortion.
Using hormones to mask symptoms of menstrual problems is like using cortisone to mask symptoms of ligament tears in joints or using pain pills to mask the symptoms of cancer. It doesn’t fix the problem, it just allows you to forget you have one for a little while and then you have to deal with it when it either needs to be removed or is fatal.
Why do women put up with medical personnel who don’t fully explain how something works or it’s side effects? With any other medical procedure or “cure” we ask for full disclosure, why not when it comes to fertility and birth?
Why are children such a burden?
They say that ‘sometimes it takes more courage to do your duty than to do something spectacular’!
I’m inclined to think we would rather eliminate our offspring because raising children seems so banal, our pride and our egos won’t have it?
But the truth is bearing and raising children is such a privilage and such a joy!!!!
I know! I look forward unafraid to having more blessings in my life!
I think it is important to face how often embryos fail to implant when no birth control method is used. When high sensitivity HCG testing is done, a significant percentage of early pregnancies never progress to the point of implantation.I also think it is important to separate out the old IUD’s from the two available IUD’s. Merina is a progesterone IUD which works primarily by thinning the lining of the uterus and changing the movement of the tubes, so it is likely to be an abortifacient. The copper IUD, on the other hand, creates a copper rich environment in the uterus. Sperm do not like that. And while it, theoretically, can work as an abortifacient, this has not been shown in actual studies.
The IUD should be used by married women who have completed their child bearing. They increase the risk of worse STDs and they can cause scarring that may prevent future pregnancy.
Remember that medical schools are, for the most part, very liberal places and docs are not taught that ALL contraceptives except barrier methods can be abortifacient. The question that I ask is this: how much of a risk is acceptable if the primary mechanism of action fails for a potentially abortifacient method? That is a question that each person must answer to God for in their choice of contraception.
Thank you Sarah G for the beautiful clarification, and congratulations on your blessing growing within!
I almost died when I had my last child. One of my children passed away after birth. I suppose it’s God’s will that I should continue to have babies and possibly not live through the next pregnancy? I suppose I should probably risk the heartbreak of losing another child. No thank you. I will not risk leaving my children without a mother and I don’t think God disagrees. I don’t use an IUD and my doctor recommended that I not go that route but I disagree that the only “God-approved” birth control is natural family planning. If you think about it, how is that any better than using birth control? You’re still trying to manipulate your reproduction. It’s a hypocritical attitude.
Great article Abby, it is so important for people to know the REAL truth.
To “B” above – there are Pro-life doctors, Ob/Gyns who can study your particular history and current condition, find the cause of what is happening to you and fix the cause. Not just mask it with the Pill. All the Pill does is cover up symptoms, it does nothing to cure the problem. If you look up http://www.popepaulvi.com/ – they have trained docs all over the US now. You may have to travel to see one, but it would be well worth your time. I highly recommend them, they have helped many infertile women have babies, and have helped so many women with different conditions actually find cures, as opposed to being written a prescription for the Pill!
Dear Nikita, removal of an ectopic pregnancy is NOT AN ABORTION. You did not have an abortion, nor did any woman who has experienced an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is not a viable pregnancy, the baby dies because there is no place for it to grow. The growth of the child, and the eventual bursting of the fallopian tube and the bleeding that causes can kill the mother. I had an ectopic pregnancy. I ran around for a week trying to find a way to save my baby. There is nothing they can do. I begged them to move the baby – they just can’t. In these instances, if they can, they save the mother, but there is no way to save the baby, believe me, I tried, and ended up with emergency surgery because I waited so long, trying to find someone who knew how to move the little baby. I waited so long, my baby had died, and I almost did, too.
There are reliable, natural options out there! NaProTECHNOLOGY (Natural Procreative Technology) is a new women’s health science that monitors and maintains a woman’s reproductive and gynecological health. It provides medical and surgical treatments that cooperate completely with the reproductive system.
Thirty years of scientific research in the study of the normal and abnormal states of the menstrual and fertility cycles have unraveled their mysteries.
http://www.naprotechnology.com/
Also, for couples wanting a natural, effective method to achieve or avoid pregnancy should check out the Creighton Model FertilityCare System(the foundation for NaPro Technology). It is 99.5% method effective, and 96.8% use effective in avoiding pregnancy. The study of the effectiveness was published in the Journal Of Reproductive Medicine in 1998.
http://www.creightonmodel.com/
I am a Christian and am pro-life. My husband and I used condoms and spermicide for years with no problems. We chose to prevent fertilization, not to prevent implantation. I have a hard time understanding the “natural” part of Natural Family Planning. How is it natural to deny a woman’s most receptive days towards her husband during her cycle? I don’t think that’s how God planned it… I get frustrated with some in the Christian community who condemn *all* birth control… Thanks for the education lesson on the dangers of IUD’s, Abby.
Thank you for getting this information out there Abby! Christians cannot just put their head in the sand about birth control matters and call themsleves pro-lfe.
Oh my! I have read the comments on here about bc pills as well and did some research. Guess I am going to have to stop taking them! The only reason why I did was because I am scared to death to have a fourth baby just because it would be a fourth c-section and I know my risks for complications increase. I didn’t want to put my child’s life (most important) or my own in jeopardy. Not to mention, I didn’t want my other three children to be potentially motherless. NFP here I come!
I didn’t know birth control pills caused abortions until one day when I was praying in front of an abortion clinic and a woman informed me. My sons are grown, and a long time ago I was on the pill for a couple of years, and my sex drive became non-existent. A blessing from the Lord, really, so that I would get off of them. I changed to the diaphram. Later, I was put back on birth control for endometriosis and had a subsequent hysterectomy.That day I found out about the pill, I asked the Lord if I had aborted an unborn child/children because of the pill, and He gave me the goose bumps. So then I knew why He’d called me to pray in front of the clinic…it was to be part of my redemption. But how can you possibly make up or atone for the killing of your own child? When I meet my Maker, my excitement in seeing Him will be greatly tempered by my shame.
Meg – I wouldn’t write off NFP on the grounds that you know a lot of people who did it and ended up pregnant. They might have done it incorrectly or used an older method that’s not as accurate.
Lacy – I think a lot of people trust that their doctors will tell them the full and honest truth about any medical decisions, and if their doctor didn’t tell them about the possibility that a zygote could make it to the uterus and be unable to implant because of an IUD, they don’t even think of it.
Abby – OMG YOU’RE PREGNANT!!! This is so exciting! When are you due? 😀
To all of you who are wondering about ways to treat women’s health concerns (like the teen with irregular cycles, or polycystic ovarian syndrome)without using the Pill–check out http://www.naprotechnology.com.
It discusses NaPro Technology, a method that uses charting of a woman’s cycles and timed blood work with use of progesterone, etc. to treat these conditions in a way that does not harm future fertility, is never potentially abortifacient, and really works. I’m in the middle of my training time for this now, and am impressed. Hope it might help some of you.
Chrissie, since abortion clinics are highly underregulated, unlike the ObGyn office you worked in, chances are good that those precautions you mentioned will not be taken. But that aside, IUDs do work by making the womb a hostile environment for implantation. So causing a fertilized egg (a human being) not to successfully implant, especially with only a copper IUD with no hormones, is the desired result. That’s what IUDs do. So it’s not actually inhibiting ovulation, only forcing a fertilized egg to die from lack of nourishment/attachment.
hope this finds you doing well abby-was good to meet you at our right to life banquet-philpot,ky
Abby,I am so thankful for this post! I have read most of the comments, and seen how some people are saying “how could you NOT know this was the ultimate result”, but I truly did not! I do tons of research, on just about everything, including the mirena IUD. My husband and I are very fertile together, I mean, I ovulate, and he is in the same room, and I’m pregnant! So, we had to do some hard praying and researching, and asking questions of our midwife after our 2nd “unplanned” pregnancy. My body couldn’t handle that type of stress again, so soon after the second birth. So after a long hard ethical/emotional battle we chose the IUD and felt at peace with it. I did know that hormonal BC cause abortions, so that wasn’t an option for me, but from ALL the things I read online and on blogs, the advice we received, etc, we were assured it was a non-hormonal BC. *DUH! I know, but as soon as I found that out, I had it taken out. It took us 10 months to conceive this time. That is an incredibly long time for us to try, so it’s encouraging that I am not the only one that this happened to. But, somewhat disconcerting that you had that diagnosis. I will have to look into my levels, but I am convinced the IUD did something to me, as well. I am just so thankful God was gracious to give us this baby!! I pray this post encourages other users of the IUD to think twice. 🙂
For women that take artificial birth control for medical reasons, there are alternatives. It has been recommended that I take bc pills for medical reasons by several doctors. I refuse due to the fact that they can cause an abortion. NaPro technology gets to the cause of why woman suffer from cysts, infertility, repetitive miscarriages, painful periods, etc.http://www.naprotechnology.com/
God Bless!
I read a comment that stated “NFP is not a viable option for us,” and wanted to say that if practiced appropriately NFP is only .1 percent less effective at preventing pregnancy than the birth control pill. Yes, it requires knowledge and self-discipline, neither of which are negative things! NFP is a viable option for every woman because it is natural. Is ingesting artificial hormones viable??? The truth exposed by Abby about IUDs is just more evidence that artificial contraceptive methods for women are anything but viable. I realize that not every woman has a 28 day cycle or even observable CM, but there are ways to deal with those special circumstances armed with knowledge of NFP. Best of all, NFP allows for conception and desired child spacing. At the end of the day, it all boils down to one’s attitude toward life and children. If pregnancy and children are viewed as a burden, then I suppose NFP is not a viable option for it requires an openness to God’s plan and to the gift of one’s femininity and fertility.
I have always been pro-life ever since I can remember being able to comprehend what it was. I have been married for almost 6 years, my husband and I have two beautiful children. After our youngest was born, i decided to get the Paraguard IUD. I have had it in for 3 years now and since having it placed, i sometimes get horrible cramps that feel like labor pains and heavy heavy bleeding during my cycle. I have always thought it to be odd and the thought has crossed my mind that those times might be miscarriages, as at other times the pain and bleeding is pretty normal or minimal. I dont like having this IUD, however, only a doctor can remove it and I dont have the money to have one do that. So i am pretty well stuck with it for now, I do not like the idea of possibly having conceived a child and having it just flushed out of my body like that. Please say prayers that I can get it removed soon and that there hasnt been irreverable damage because I would love to have one more baby someday, im only 26 years old. Thank you for your story, it really gave me alot to think about.
The term abortion is used a lot in this article however I don’t know that I would call it abortion if the woman didn’t even know she was pregnant. There are things that we do in our daily lives that unknowingly can terminate a pregnancy. We do dangerous physical activities, take medications have surgical procedures, etc. Even amniocentesis I believe has a 1% chance of causing a miscarriage. However we don’t call that abortion but I guess that’s because it’s done in a respectable OB/GYN’s office. I personally have an IUD, I have health issues which would make it very difficult to raise children in an environment that I would want to raise children in. I take medication which decreases the effectiveness of any other form of birth control. Not to mention getting pregnant while taking the medication I take would be reckless. Being immune suppressed it would not be wise for me to undergo a surgical procedure like getting my tubes tied. My husband does not want to get a vasectomy and I respect his wishes in regards to that. I am thankful that an IUD is an option for me. Let’s not forget that someone who is actively trying to prevent an unwanted pregnancy is acting responsibly. I was notified of the risks involved with an IUD prior to getting it. Sex is not solely for procreation, if you don’t agree with me well then let’s both be thankful that we live in America and have the right to form our own opinions and have multiple options available to us.
For those of you interested in NFP, I always thought NFP was about taking your temperature everyday, but I read a book called “Love and Fertility” by Mercedes Arzu Wilson (You can find it on Amazon) and it was a great reference to figure it all out. The book clearly describes the Ovulation Method which checks your mucus patterns to tell you when you are ovulating or not instead of temperature taking.
What is it with the NFP police? Why can’t you let a comment go by without defending it? I’m feeling frustrated that this is a pro-life topic and yet it’s becoming an NFP topic. Please don’t let this divide the pro-life community by being non-accepting of those who don’t practice it. It’s ok that some don’t agree with it and have differing opinions. I feel condemned by the NFP community, yet I see it as un-natural, plus it’s still manipulating the system. My husband and I’s most bonding and closest times emotionally are when I’m ovulating (sorry you are missing out on that)–that’s natural. Nothing you say will change my mind.
It would be a cooling balm to have someone accept me as I am even though I have a different opinion. I can accept that you use NFP and find it right for your family, just please don’t be oppressive in defending it over and over.
I am not trying to be divisive in the least… on the contrary, please let’s stay united in the fight against abortion, for positive education, and love/forgivness/healing to those who have lived through an abortion. The important thing is to prevent fertilization (through abstainance before marraige, a barrier method, NFP, sterilization, etc.) and not implantation (when life has already been created). To me, that’s the underlying current in Abby’s article and exposing how IUD’s don’t fit in that definition.
Once again, I’m not trying to be divisive. My worst fear is to start an NFP argument or a long discusion on the benefits, reasons behind, etc. I accept you… please accept me and let’s fight against abortion together.
My wife and I use the Creighton Model and Naprotechnology and it’s GREAT. It really works if it’s applied properly either for achieving or avoiding pregnancy. I highly raccommend it.Abby congratulations on your pregnancy. I am so happy for you and Doug! Happy New Year to all!
I just want to say that NFP is not always an option. I had two incredibly high risk pregnancies, PICC lines, organ damage, premature labors and deliveries just to name a few of the complications. I have two healthy children (thank God) but the risk of a third baby was a risk we couldn’t take. I had the Essure procedure done and I haven’t regretted a single minute. Am I sad that I am unable to have more babies? No, I am just overjoyed that I have the two that God blessed me with. Don’t judge what others have to do in their own lives, they will meet their maker and atone for their own sins. Live your life the best way you know how and let the judgement come from above. Until you have walked a mile in someone else’s shoes, you have no right to judge what decisions they make for their family.
I also agree that using “self control” and abstaining from sex during ovulation is damaging to your marriage. I feel more connected with my husband during those times than during any other time and I am thankful that we have always made birth control options that kept us connected, because a strong happy marriage is God’s greatest gift, and we are supposed to put our husband before our children, according to the good book. 😉
I don’t want to be Debbie Downer here, but I want to say that everyone on here who is Catholic and advocating the use of barrier methods or artificial birth control is, I’m very sorry to say, committing a very serious sin.It is not wrong to only time sex with your husband when you are infertile because your intent is entirely different. You are working WITH your body the way God MADE IT rather than against it by blocking parts and functions of it with chemicals. I am relatively newlywed (4 years) and we contracepted for the first 2.5 years of our marriage. Now that we use NFP, sex has never been better! We are fully aware that if we “cheat” and don’t practice self control, we will conceive a child. Or if we are not paying full attention or tracking correctly, we have a higher possibility of conceiving a child. So the idea is that there is no barrier between my husband, me, our fertility and God. If we conceived while I thought I was infertile, then it would be a happy surprise, not a mistake. NFP couples have “oh, why the heck not? babies”, not “oops babies” like couples on BC.
You take medicine for things in your body that you want to get rid of, and I don’t like the thought that so many women are effectively trying to “cure” their fertility.
I had a Dr. tell me that IUD’s did NOT cause abortions–they do!! and that the copper in them repelled sperm and that was the birth control effect…Oh my goodness–can we all say STUPID and LIAR? I have more common sense than that…Excellent article Abby…and to the comment that it isn’t an abortion unless you know you pregnant? Is it a tree if you don’t know it is? Heart of all of this–what you know or don’t know doesn’t really matter to the object, person or whatever you are speaking of…
Hey Sarah P, you said “Live your life the best way you know how and let the judgement come from above.” But God calls us to correct those who are in sin (see Gal 6). That doesn’t mean that I or anyone has the right to judge you, it means that I have the right to correct you and call you onto living out God’s plan for love and sexuality.
Abby, you are right! It’s sad but true that so many women who are pro-life buy into the lie that contraceptives are somehow okay. They are so directly tied to the abortion movement from a legal, moral, and health standpoint, that I argue being pro-contraception necessitates that you’re pro-abortion even if you don’t admit it, especially when it comes to using abortifacients like the IUD. So sad that women still don’t get it. Natural Family Planning works no matter what your situation. As long as you’re disciplined, which in this day in age, so few people are. People just want the quick, no-hassle approach, and they don’t care what it does to their body, or how it affects their relationships, or how it speaks against the dignity of their personhood. It is also ridiculous to imply that you can use an IUD, as some women here are claiming, even with the consequences and argue that God will let you get pregnant if that’s what He wants. Do these “Christians” remember the little thing called free will that we have? What an absurd statement to claim God will just step in and override your poor choices. He doesn’t twist our arms over anything. We always have the freedom to contradict his design, intention, and purpose of sex, fertility, and marriage, and acting like he’ll just jump in and change the outcome regardless begs the question, why doesn’t He stop a woman’s abortion in the middle of it. Because we can choose to reject Him and the blessings He wants to give us and He lets us do it. Stupid logic, Leila.
And to the woman who thinks God is okay with her using an IUD, I’d say you’re making a pretty bold assumption about God’s opinion given that the IUD is clearly an abortifacient. Not to mention, you can still get pregnant, and there are so many health risks, that it makes no sense to rely on a pharmaceutical device that could make a future pregnancy high risk and pose a risk to a future baby because you’re worried you’ll have a high-risk pregnancy that poses a threat to a baby. ???
And may I just add, Abby, I just finished your book in two days. It was wonderful. I just can’t say enough about it. Thank you so much for being such a powerful voice in the pro-life movement, and being a true advocate for women and babies by showing the destruction of hormonal contraceptives to boot!
Just to clarify (I agree with you totally) but LEILA was simply quoting what the other woman had said and disagreed with it. Leila thinks exactly as you believe (pro life and anti-abc) and was calling out the other woman who said the stuff in bold in the first place. You should check out Leila’s blog! http://www.littlecatholicbubble.blogspot.com I really think you’ll like it!
Abby-ROCK ON. Way to be true to your prolife conversion without being afraid to take a stand against IUDs, something you know that all prolifers are not against.
I can understand how those who are pro IUD or IUD neutral (or only anti-surgical abortion) might be sensitive to this post. Sarah P, Kelsey, Chelsea et al. I get the step back.
However, people who respond to NFP criticism are not “NFP Police.” They’re NFP Advocates. Police arrest people according to the law of the land, so if you feel arrested, that’s on you. If you don’t agree, cool. Whatever. But, if you don’t agree and are insecure about it, dig deeper. What’s behind that?
Straight up–IUD’s may “work” to prevent a full term pregnancy for many, but at what cost? It causes so many profound biological problems (and more). Why would you even go there.
Re: NFP objections, I would really encourage people to research thoroughly all the responses to their questions before dismissing it. Guess what? NFP can be a real cross, but dangerous? NO.
Regarding the suffering, It varies with the couple. But the cross of those abstaining to postpone (for their mutually agreed upon reasons) is far less than the cross of cutting God out of the conception equation, and for the secular prolifers, it’s much better than the risks of abortafacient birth control (nearly all) and the medical risks of HBC.
Whatever your position, let’s affirm Abby for being true to her conscience and owning it.
I used the Billings Method of NFP, which is so totally simple and safe without the hassle of temperature taking, based upon a woman’s daily observation of her wetness or mucus that the sperm need to swim to the egg. It’s so effective that it has long been in use in China, where having an second child could mean a brutal forced abortion. You can learn it online and get phone numbers of teachers, but I think its helpful too to start a group, or get in contact with a group of others using this of other NFP methods, such as the Couple to Couple League. Husbands and wives get to meet other husbands and wives who’ve learned the beauty of the natural family planning way..and families can become friends and great supporters of each other. In the Couple to Couple League and in other groups where natural family planning is taught and celebrated, there is so much love and joy among the couples, and the husbands seem to truly adore their wives. The divorce rate is extremely low among users of the Billings or other methods of NFP. When a man is willing to wait for his wife for her infertile period, the man seems to court the woman in preparation for that time. He also knows about her fertility. There is no constant availablity for sex, which can make a woman feel like an object. NFP is based on mutual respect and the full expression of Love, which includes patience and the aforementioned understanding of the signs of fertility. It also includes, and this took me a long time to learn, the possiblity for children, because children bring us joy.
Abby, I am reading your book right now and crying my through it…I have a blog about my tenth baby, who was born with Down syndrome almost two years ago. I have a large readership, and I want to connect them with your blog and your book. A reader sent me Unplanned, and I don’t want to part with my copy:) Any chance I could get an autographed copy to do a giveaway with? Every American needs to read your story. Thank you for your heart and your boldness. xo
I was 19 years old and married when I chose an IUD as my source for birth control. I not only got pregnant using the device.. the device caused me to abort my baby. They told me then (after I was pregnant) that 99% of the time this is what would happen !!!
I am 60 yrs old.. you figure it out how long they have been lying to us.. as said in the article: “everything is JUST for the MONEY” !!!
I am so very confused and horrified if my thoughts are confirmed. Sorry if this sounds stupid but ….I have an IUD , Paragaurd.
Am I reading correctly that in fact I may get pregnant every month or so but having my IUD causes me to miscarriage ..aka..it’s doing it’s “job” by “preventing” me from getting pregnant?????? My periods are heavy and I cramp a lot, I never did this before birth control or when I was on the Nuva Ring. It breaks my heart to think if this is the case I am in fact enabling my own abortion of a child that may have been successfully conceived. Is this the case with most BC or just the IUD??
If this is the case I will be getting this removed ASAP.
I can’t believe that IUDs causing abortions isn’t common knowledge. I saw the pictures of the ‘IUD babies’ when I was an early teen. Photos of babies born with the IUDs grown into them, ‘miscarried’ babies scarred and cut from the IUDs, babies born clutching them like rattles, these were well-know occurances just 30 years ago and still are in areas of the world where the copper only IUDs are more common. Even with hormones, the IUD still acts as a means of aborting a young, and sometimes not so young, baby! I am always startled when I find ppl who consider IUDs to be anything but a ‘convient’ early term abortion device. Even a cursory glance at history should reveal this, before ‘modern’ medicine abortions were most frequently carried out by placing a foreign body in the uterus…otherwise known as an IUD! (They were just removed once labor began).
This is definitely information I will look into further… However, I don’t agree that using some type of birth control is a sin, which another person posted. I feel God expects us to make the best decisions we can based on our situations.Additionally, I do not feel that I am making myself a sexual object as another person posted, just by being open to sex whenever my husband is. I enjoy those times just as much as he does!! So no, I’m not real excited about limiting those times even further.
I have an auto immune disease, and almost died from a serious infection after having my first child. I was told very bluntly not to get pregnant for some time until my body was flare free. If I were to stop taking my medications, there is a high possibility that I would die. If I become pregnant while on these medications they can cause birth defects or miscarriage. I was told to avoid the traditional bc pill because of the high hormones, and was having uncontrolled menstral bleeding for 3 months straight. I am using the Mirena implant and have not had issues with it so far. My whole life I have extremely heavy and painful periods that lasted 7 days. With the Mirena, they are very light, last 4-5 days, and I have no cramping. I know 4 couples that used NFP and they all became pregnant within 5-7 months. But I also know one person that got pregnant with the Mirena implant as well and delivered a healthy baby boy.
this is terrible. i always thought that an iud was the best for me cause i Can’t take pills cause i never remember to take them. and i heard that and iud was the best way to go. so i had Mirena inserted and i have had no problems i hardly ever have a period. Mirena has been in for 9 months now
Those who would like to learn more about the abortifacient nature of hormonal birth controls should read Randy Alcorn’s book “Does the Birth Control Pill Cause Abortions?” You can download the entire book from this link: http://www.aboverubies.co.za/bcpill.pdf
Hi Abby!
Before I knew the truth I had an IUD too. I don’t know how many babies I lost who are waiting for me in Heaven. I have prayed that God might help me to know somehow, according to His Will.
Just popping in to check up on what you’ve been writing about and I see you are expecting again?! How wonderful!
You will be in my prayers!
Isn’t it just wonderful to be Catholic, free to do as we ought, and full of hope for the future. I praise God for you and thank Him for your ministry.
Beth Carrell (from Helena, MT – my mom is Cherie Wing)
I saw an IUD commercial on TV last night and they acknowledged that it was possible to get pregnant with an IUD and have a miscarriage. Refreshing to see some honesty, anyway.
To those who are using any form of birth control: please see ccli.org (Couple to Couple League) and look up information on Natural Family Planning. It is safe, effective, and has a 99% method effectiveness rate. It does not harm your body, does not introduce chemicals into your body, and does not harm a developing baby or cause an early abortion. It is GREEN!!!! It is good for the planet, and good for your body – will not cause blood clots, an increase in cancer, or have any terrible side effects. I would challenge the people you know who have become pregnant while using NFP – I would want to have them submit their charts to a teaching couple. Often when people become pregnant while using NFP, it is due to user error or lack of motivation. This means that there are rules, and you have to follow them. Yes, you have to abstain during certain times – but that abstaining will not kill you. It is a sacrifice yes, but it should be something we are willing to do for God, first of all, for the health of our bodies, second of all, and for the planet, third of all. Recycling and reusing takes effort and sacrifice, but people are willing to do it. Taking care of your health takes sacrifice, but people are willing to do it. Exercise is hard, but people are willing to do it. Now, when a little life is involved – a child’s life, I think people can make a little sacrifice, so that a child is not conceived & then aborted by hormonal birth control. I know of many people who have very grave reasons to avoid pregnancy who have successfully used NFP to avoid pregnancy with 100% success.
I have to comment…not so much on the IUD talk, but other things..I’ve been going to Planned Parenthood since I was 17…they are always nice and courteous…I’ve been on the pill too since I was 17…It is the woman’s choice whether or not she will get an abortion..I’m all about pro-life, but it’s the woman’s choice. Planned Parenthood does not have a sign outside stating ‘hey, come on in and we’ll abort your baby’…NO they are there to help inform women and help with people that can’t afford birth control, etc. If a woman wants to stroll into Planned Parenthood (which the one by my house does NOT do abortions)…but if she does want one then that’s on her..not the people that work there…It disgusts me that people downgrade Planned Parenthood…people have rights and they will do with their body how they see fit. Hmm…let’s remember..’Thou shalt not JUDGE’..let’s focus on that people…glad I got that out!
God is love and life according to Scripture, and we are made in His image and likeness. Marrital intimacy is an expression of love intended primarily for a sharing in God’s creative action. We are called to have control over our desires, and to assume responsibility for our actions. By blocking the creative nature of sexual relations, we are trying to limit God’s creative action. Additionally nearly all forms of birth control are abortions in their workings. Life is started at the moment of conception; therefore, it is a murder every time contraceptives prevent the fertilized egg from growing to full cycle. Women are being used as sex objects instead of being treated with dignity and respect. Women have bought into this state of being objectified as though it is a good thing for them. Nonsense! Men use you and kick you to the curb more often than not. All because you allow them to have their way with your body.
I have been on the IUD for Going on 4 years and have not had any problems at all except for the occasional cramping which is normal it is the only thing i can have since the pill failed for me since i was “too fertile” i have already had one child that i had to give up for adoption and im not in the proper boat to be having another child,im not going to explain why because it is too long of a story but it is aweful that planned parenthood is sneaky as to what type of services they give.It sickens me when people defend planned parenthood their the number one killer of babies in the world it doesn’t matter what type of services they provide it’s the fact that they kill 99 percent of our unborn children that is 3k a day.They lie as much as they can and decieve people.
I recently started doing research on be “pro-life”. I have always been pro-life since I was a child. The thing is that I actually have an IUD placed and been wanting very badly to remove it. I think I might be pregnant and I don’t want to lose the the baby. WHAT DO I DO???
I would love to share my IUD survival story for those who like to hear those sorts of stories. I know I do.
When we had my 4th child we knew we didn’t want more kids. But we didn’t want to anything permanent. I was told an IUD was my best and safest option. So I went with it. It was put in about 2 months after my 4th child was born. My cycle never returned. I am assuming that was part IUD and part breastfeeding. I didn’t have any side effects at all so I was quite content with my birth control option.
My daughter weaned in March 2010 and I immediately started cycling again. It was normal and consistent. Then in Nov. 2010 my period never showed. I figured it was the IUD or stress. As Christmas approached and I noticed I still no period and I had put on some weight, I decided to get a pregnancy test. It was positive. WOW! I made an appointment with a new OB I had never seen before because he came with high recommendations. He decided to do an ultrasound that day to see if he could see the baby. Sure enough there she was with her little heart just beating away attached to my uterus. There was the IUD just millimeters away from her. As I watched tears began to trickle down my face because I was sure this little baby would not make it much long with the IUD in there and I never intended for a baby to loose its life inside MY body. The OB saw I was upset and asked me if I wanted the baby. I sobbingly nodded my head. He said that he was worried the IUD would cause a later miscarriage if we left in. But there was about a 50/50 chance of miscarriage if we removed it. I decided removing it was best. The OB was caring. He had the tech keep the baby in sight on the monitor while he removed the IUD so he could see if it was going to disturb the baby on its way out. He had to twist it just a bit to avoid contact with the tiny babe but he missed her little developing body. I came in later that week for another ultrasound to see how baby was doing and she was still securely attached and her heart beat was faster then before. My blood work came back and my hormone levels were rising rising perfectly. She survived the IUD and its removal. She is now a 6 month old healthy happy little wiggler that brings so much joy to my life. She has brought so much happiness to our lives. I will never get an IUD again and feel lucky to have my daughter. But how many babies in the 3 years I had it were lost to me forever. If there are any I want them to know how sorry I am.
I’m disappointed to hear that the PP clinic at which you worked did not fully appraise women of the risks of IUD insertion. When I went in for planned insertion (which failed due to internal anatomy issues), I was specifically told that it could be used to induce an abortion within I think, 72 hours, that it did carry with it the risk of pregnancy (nothing’s perfect), particularly ectopic, and that it could cause other side effects, such as heavier bleeding and cramping (I was in for a Paragard).
Thankyou for this post. There are so many who say that abortion or taking birth control is a woman’s choice, but I can honestly say that when I was on birth control and got pregnant with my first child, I didn’t know what I know now, and the doctor didn’t explain what the birth control could do to a baby if I did get pregnant. So yes I did at that time I made the choice to take birth control, because I was told that was what I should do, but no, I didn’t make ab informed decision, and I don’t believe most women do.
The IUD messes up so much about a woman and her feminine identity that I hardly know where to begin. I can tell you that, for us, it was the worst possible thing that could happen between two people of opposite genders. I will just state what I believe happened between us, and let anyone who wants to call me a liar to rage on; I KNOW what happened.
I was attracted to her and her to me. She had an IUD, and we had sex. We got married, and two miscarriages later, she had the IUD removed, and immediately we were no longer attracted to each other.
The body gives off signals that attract you to your proper, complementary gender opposite. This is for reasons of improving the chances of survival of the human race, by giving your children the “best of both of you.”
I have said what I have said. Listen, learn. Or not.
Thank you so much for sharing this information! I am going to call my doctor tomorrow! I felt god led me to your site. I have had an iud now for 14 months and am sick to find out this information. God bless you!
So I have had my IUD for about 5 months now and I have the Paraguard… Looking at this information made me look back at my last few “periods” that I’ve had. Since i got the IUD I haven’t been using any other form of protection. I have slept with 4 different guys and only 1 did I use a condom… Looking back every period that I’ve had that came after unprotected sex I had crazy abdominal pains to the point where I was almost taken to the hospital many times but I refused because well at the time I was 17 and didn’t want my family knowing I was having sex and I knew if I went they would find out. I have had 7 “periods” in the 5 Months and 5 of them have been excruciatingly painful and none of them were on time and they all lasted a minimum of 10 days… Basically I’ve been on my period what seems like non stop… My friend has had a miscarriage and I had just called her once I read this and asked her what it was like…. What she explained to me was exactly what I had felt 5 of the 7 times… Needless to say I am getting mine removed tomorrow as fear of it happening again… I am now engaged oddly enough so if I am pregnant and do get a miracle baby out of this it won’t be a problem… I am so thankful I found this because it gave me answers and helped me see what was really going on with my body!
IUDs have always seemed very dangerous to me. Placing a foreign object into your body, especially such a delicate place as a uterus/cervix with a sensitive naturally balanced ecosystem, can only lead to damage and trouble.
We wouldn’t intentionally insert a small plastic bead into our ear canal and expect our bodies not to violently react and protest, would we?
Nor would we insert it into our rectums, force it to stay inside our rectal cavity for months and months, and expect not to have serious problems. No we would not.
What makes us think an IUD is safe in any way?
Horrible invention and even worse that we actual do it!
I’m starting to believe rhythm method and condoms are the safest and smartest methods of controlling birth.
I’ve never heard of anyone being maimed, hurt, or damaged or left infertile or of any fetus/embryo being aborted or damaged due to a wayward condom. Not yet anyway.
Humans are horny beasts. We do need to practice reliable birth control but not at the expense of our bodies, our unborn children or our lives.
Our bodies WANT to be pregnant. They are designed to conceive. Our bodies, biologically, do not like the reproductive process interrupted or interferred with. They are trying to find a way around it right now, but evolution is SLLOOWW.
It’s a strong force to control is my point.
Just remember that. OUr bodies WANT to get pregnant, especially when we are young and fertile. And they (our bodies) will fight like crazy against conception barriers every chance they can. Condoms are the most effective, really. Because it doesn’t involve merging with the female body, like the Pill, IUD….
Rhythm method is simply working with nature and your body’s natural state of being. And it has nothing to do with invading the female body or male reproductive organs.
It’s tough, controlling birth–but if we keep trying, we’ll come up with something that doesn’t kill us all off.
If something is making you sick or hurts you, your body is screaming trying to tell you something. Pain=something is wrong and needs to be stopped.
Birth control isn’t supposed to hurt.
Were the problems you had because of a hormonal iud or a non hormonal I have the non hormonal and I feel terrible now in a way but at the same time I know that I’m not ready for another child at this point. Eventually I want more and Im worrying about having trouble getting pregnant because of the paraguard
I cannot believe what I just read! I’ve had my IUD for 15 months and have several episodes f severe cramping. I never would have gotten one if I’d have known it would cause all of this! I feel like a terrible person, but I don’t know :[ I’m getting mine out ASAP!!
Hi, thanks for posting this information and sorry to hear about everyone’s troubles. I was considering doing the IUD, but decided against it because it wasn’t worth the risk to me. I have been using Cyclebeads with success though.
Hi, I am Jennifer and I have the mirena iud in for four years with no problems regular cycle. But as of June 29 I have not had a menstrual cycle, I have taken 3 hpt test and one urine test at the clinic today which all came up negative. (In October I also have a light period made me nervous I went in they couldn’t find the strings or the iud so they sent me for a ultrasound the found it and set it was very high but was in place. So I said ok I will leave it there.) But now no period but abdominal cramping, lower back pain right side and left, headaches, sometimes leg pain and shoulder pain, bloated my belly looks round, and fuller boobs. I had a couple days (sorry tmi) light brownish pink discharge when I wiped only but no blood what so ever. Mostly just a watery odorless discharge which is not normal I tend to be on the dry side. I went in today the doc said..u know everything feels normal and yes I can’t see the iud, but that’s fine, but if you experience heavy bleeding you should go to the nearest er. I asked what about all these symptoms she said yes those are pregnancy symptoms the fact that I gained almost 7 lbs was a little alarming but my boobs are nice and full. She said that’s normal your experiencing a pregnancy month and maybe your cycles are irregular (ok that made me mad). I feel as though I am going crazy i told her I want the iud out she said they don’t do that but would recommend it to another clinic which is suppose to call me with appointment details. Please if you have any helpful suggestions my husband and I are completely frustrated at this point and a little scared.
But for all you to know before choosing the iud they were going to remove the iud today if I would put another one in…Just like in the blog is all about profit. And when I they asked me to do a pregnancy test she asked are you on your period…REALLY!!!!
I have a IUD but for some reason I had my period twice this month… On the 13 of sept n now! I would like to know what’s wrong. I don’t have any pain but blood
I have had my iud mirena for 4yrs, with little to no problems, I haven’t had my period since the beginning. Two weeks ago I started to feelpregnancy symptoms,I really felt that I was pregnant. Today I started bleeding very heavy! I think I may be having a miscarriage!?
Thank you for being So brave and sharing the truth. Hugs
after i had my twins who are 3 1/2 now i tried to get the IUD. the Dr tried in the office and it hurt so bad that i was in tears and she didn’t even get in. then we tried at the hospital as an outpatient procedure before she tried to insert it she stuck a camera in me to see why it hurt so bad found out that i have intracervical septum which is a barrier on my cervix kinda making it hard to ever have kids with out a c-section she also said that there was a very tiny hole that made it possible for me to have my periods and get pregnant so i chose to get the depo shot which i love it since i do not have periods because my periods where so heavy that i would bleed through a tampon in an hour the super size ones and had severe cramping where my mom was kinda like begging me to go to the er but i would tell her it was just my period its fine the pain would go away now i’m debating weather i should stay on the depo or not? when i found out i was pregnant the first ultrasound showed one the second showed 2 and i was not ready for one baby but got 2 so it is a blessing from GOD and believe no matter what if GOD wants you to have a baby you will but why risk the life of a baby.
What about the paraguard iud I have one and now I’m freaked out and disturbed!!!
One week before the elections God shut down the abortion industry on the east coast in major strongholds. no power, lots of water and inconvenience…as I contemplate these events this this passage from Deuteronomy 30:19 where Moses is speaking to the Jewish people comes to mind:
“I call heaven and earth today to witness against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the Lord, your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him. For that will mean life for you, a long life for you to live on the land which the Lord swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give to them.”
How is it that Blessing and Curse is before us in this election? One side chooses an umbrella of life the other the umbrella of death. Bishop David Ricken is right, to vote wrongly may endanger our immortal soul.
Thank you for exposing abortion for what it is and its effects, I regret my abortion and doing what I can to fight the satan behind it. Please join me in praying the rosary everyday and asking the aborted children in heaven to pray for their parents to have the desire of repentance of this evil. Its all about souls people!
My obgyn vehemently refuses to give them. He says they are dangerous and would absolutely never risk the lives (or their unborn children’s) of his patients. I have an amazing obgyn and if he feels so strongly about something, I listen.Also, my mother had to have an iud taken out because of a pregnancy-the baby died because of the way it formed around the fetus.
It’s appalling what is being approved for use-whether it be medications or iuds. Disgusting.
ppl this needs to be shared to think my doc tried to convnice me to get this but we found out because of my complications through pregnancy and bicornuate uterus i wasnt able to use this God thank u for that for preventing me from this horrifying thing u truly had ur hand in this thank u and thank u abby for sharing
I agree here that the IUD is dangerous, causes abortions and leads to infertility. A close friend had kept an IUD in for about 10 years. It was removed. She admitted that she was not getting pregnant and said that she would not do anything extra ordinary to determine why she was not conceiving. Well, she ended up having a hysterectomy. The doctors found a lot of cysts. Instead of growing babies, the IUD helped her to grow a lot of cysts. This couple accomplished what they set out to accomplish — no babies.
Before taking about serious sin, we need to analyze how we got to this point of embracing a killer device. A lot of this is due to the large families and rhythm surprise babies that we
experienced mainly in the 1950s and 1960s.
Women were treated like crap in large families.
Brothers were given preferential treatment when it came to allotted family funds for a college education. He needed to be the bread winner, and not his sister. The need for intellectual fulfillment through a college degree
went unheeded in many households.
Issues like child abuse and verbal abuse were ignored. Women in the late 60s and early 70s did not want to repeat the same family hell hole that they experienced. So, they rebelled, got careers, embraced artificial birth control and abortion.
I know Catholics who came from large families and they had no children. My sister in law’s unplanned NFP baby boy is in the ground. He was stillborn. I know of Catholics who have had miscarriages. As Catholics we think we have a hotline to God. But if that is so, why do we have failed pregnancies?
The coveted male heir is absent in so many
marriages that I know.
We gave the world the rhythm method with the dreaded large families. I know of Catholics who got married later in life and they have no children. I wonder how much of this was done to avoid having the large family.
The perception that rhythm or NFP does not
work falls on us. We have to prove it other wise. All of us are involved in this birth control issue one way or the other. That includes the
pro life politicians and business owners who think that it is okay to cut jobs and bust unions.
These negatives create more situations where
abortion and artificial birth control used.
God can love the Protestant lady who uses birth control, but not the Catholic lady who does. Family Planning is about economics and common sense. It is precisely that life and
family are so sacred that we make the difficult family planning decisions that we do.
However, I do not support the use of the IUD.
I had an iud. Cant get pregnant now