Birth Control...

[MrsGeorge]

I am mother of Four, all c-sections, Ages 5 3 2 and 1, my Two and one year old have the same birthday!! My doctor encouraged me to have a tubil ligation after the third baby, I refused. When I became pregnant with my fourth child, I was advised to abort the baby by my regular OB and the high risk doctor he referred me to because I was then too high risk for him. I had a hard pregnancy, bed rest by four months, which was impossible considering I had three little ones and my husband works offshore.

My hurdle now, I followed my mid wifes advice after a pregnancy scare and have been taking an oral contraceptive for the last 7 months. She says, it is in my best interest, because my uteris never healed completely after the first baby. For the next five years, she, my husband and I agreed I would continue the birth control but, with Every pill I swollow, I doubt my faith. I feel like using the birth control to prevent pregnancy is putting more faith into modern medicine than into God. AM I RIGHT OR WRONG AND HOW???

 

[1ke]

My hurdle now, I followed my mid wifes advice after a pregnancy scare and have been taking an oral contraceptive for the last 7 months. She says, it is in my best interest, because my uteris never healed completely after the first baby. For the next five years, she, my husband and I agreed I would continue the birth control but, with Every pill I swollow, I doubt my faith. I feel like using the birth control to prevent pregnancy is putting more faith into modern medicine than into God. AM I RIGHT OR WRONG AND HOW???

Contraception is intrinsically evil. That means it is always gravely wrong. If done with full knowledge and free will it is a mortal sin.

So, yes, it is wrong to take birth control pills, have a tubal ligation, etc.

That does not mean you must have more children. If you doctor advises against it, you should not become pregnant again.

Contraception is wrong, but spacing/avoiding pregnancy for serious reason such as those you have shared is not wrong. There are *moral *ways to space children/avoid more children.

The moral way to do this is through abstaining. Obviously for very grave situations a couple might be called to abstain totally. But, for most people that is not necessary when they use one of the modern methods of natural family planning. When using NFP you abstain during the woman’s fertile time and then can have relations during the naturally infertile time during the cycle. You may have some up-front abstaining while you learn how to chart and become confident in the method (and since you’ve been taking the pill, you’ll need a few months before the pills are out of your system), but then after that you shoudl be able to have relations without committing gravely immoral acts through contraception.

There are many methods, which all use the observation of the woman’s signs of fertility. Some common methods include Sympto-Thermal, Creighton, Billings, and Marquette.
Just google them, or call your diocesan office of family life for teachers near you.

 

[surritter]

The only way taking the pill could be moral is if the medical professionals deem that the pill can directly help to heal your body. But I don’t think that’s what you mean when they say that “it is in my best interest, because my uterus never healed completely after the first baby.”

So the post above is completely correct!

 

[GeorgeSword]

You will also need to confess your use of the pill, I should think.

 

[Bluegoat]

One thing you might want to look into more is just what your midwife means about your uterus. If a hysterectomy would be indicated if it is really damaged, that might make some things easier. But it would have to be really warranted and of course it is a serious operation.

 

[peary]

I am mother of Four, all c-sections, Ages 5 3 2 and 1, my Two and one year old have the same birthday!! My doctor encouraged me to have a tubil ligation after the third baby, I refused. When I became pregnant with my fourth child, I was advised to abort the baby by my regular OB and the high risk doctor he referred me to because I was then too high risk for him. I had a hard pregnancy, bed rest by four months, which was impossible considering I had three little ones and my husband works offshore.

My hurdle now, I followed my mid wifes advice after a pregnancy scare and have been taking an oral contraceptive for the last 7 months. She says, it is in my best interest, because my uteris never healed completely after the first baby. For the next five years, she, my husband and I agreed I would continue the birth control but, with Every pill I swollow, I doubt my faith. I feel like using the birth control to prevent pregnancy is putting more faith into modern medicine than into God. AM I RIGHT OR WRONG AND HOW???

Why don’t you just try the Natural Family Planning method instead of screwing up your physical system with birth control pills?

nfpandmore.org/

 

[rwillenborg]

Birth control is a sin.
Your’e confessing it to the internet - why not to a priest?
Seriously, take this to confession. Make an appointment and talk it over with the priest. Tell him your concerns. This is obviously weighing heavy on your soul. Best wishes, and I will keep you in my prayers.

 

[Tezza]

I am mother of Four, all c-sections, Ages 5 3 2 and 1, my Two and one year old have the same birthday!! My doctor encouraged me to have a tubil ligation after the third baby, I refused. When I became pregnant with my fourth child, I was advised to abort the baby by my regular OB and the high risk doctor he referred me to because I was then too high risk for him. I had a hard pregnancy, bed rest by four months, which was impossible considering I had three little ones and my husband works offshore.

My hurdle now, I followed my mid wifes advice after a pregnancy scare and have been taking an oral contraceptive for the last 7 months. She says, it is in my best interest, because my uteris never healed completely after the first baby. For the next five years, she, my husband and I agreed I would continue the birth control but, with Every pill I swollow, I doubt my faith. I feel like using the birth control to prevent pregnancy is putting more faith into modern medicine than into God. AM I RIGHT OR WRONG AND HOW???

Hello Mrs. George,

Welcome to CAF! I understand why this is difficult for you and how much fear plays a factor, especially when licensed professionals are giving you information that is in contradiction to the teachings of the Church. That being said, it is possible to avoid pregnancy without resorting to taking the pill, and it is as effective if not more.

NFP, as previously mentioned, is an acceptable and natural way to avoid pregnancy. I think the Holy Spirit has already been inspiring you since you feel you are puting more faith in modern medicine than in God. And the fact that the pill is unhealthy and an abortifacient (fertilization can occur at times and the new life is not able to implant and grow), plus is not 100% effective (I’m sure these same professionals would again recommend an abortion should the pill fail) can help you in your decision to work with your spouse in using a natural method.

Pope Paul VI Institue is made up of pro-life doctors who work with patients to seek treatment in line with the teachings of the Church. You might check into it.
popepaulvi.com/
They have info on NFP as well as a list of physicians all over the country.

I will keep you in prayer. Many graces in your vocation!

In Christ,
Teri