Can I prescribe birth control?

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MaryHelene said:
The theory that oral contraceptives cause abortions is totally theoretical. As far as I know, there are no legitimate studies that indicate oral contraceptives cause an increase in zygote loss.

I think it weakens the argument against contraception when we mislead people with “proof” that simply does not exist because we think it will bolster our point.
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“The close connection which exists, in mentality, between the practice of contraception and that of abortion is becoming increasingly obvious. It is being demonstrated in an alarming way by the development of chemical products, intrauterine devices and vaccines which, distributed with the same ease as contraceptives, really act as abortifacients in the very early stages of the development of the life of the new human being.” (Evangelium Vitae, n. 13.)
 
MaryHelene said:
My understanding is that, when using birth control pills for non-contraceptive purposes (i.e. hormonal problems), a couple need not abstain from intercourse. The intent is to treat or cure a medical condition, not prevent a pregnancy, so the use is licit, and the couple need not abstain.
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CCC: “Legitimate intentions on the part of the spouses do not justify recourse to morally unacceptable means (for example, direct sterilization or contraception).” (CCC 2399)
 
Ron_Conte said:
“The close connection which exists, in mentality, between the practice of contraception and that of abortion is becoming increasingly obvious. It is being demonstrated in an alarming way by the development of chemical products, intrauterine devices and vaccines which, distributed with the same ease as contraceptives, really act as abortifacients in the very early stages of the development of the life of the new human being.” (Evangelium Vitae, n. 13.)
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That quote has nothing to do with whether or not oral contraceptives cause abortions. It is a known fact that intrauterine devices can cause failed implantation of a zygote. Oral contraceptives do not work the same way and there is no evidence that they cause abortions.
 
Elizium23 said:
all.org/nav/index/heading/OQ/cat/Mzc/id/NjgyMg/
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The article you cite agrees exactly with what I wrote above. No use of contraception or abortifacient contraception for women who are sexually active, even if they are married.

The article also quotes John Paul II:

“Contraception is to be judged objectively so profoundly illicit that it can never, for any reason, be justified. To think, or to say, anything to the contrary is tantamount to saying that in human life there can be situations where it is legitimate not to recognize God as God. Users of contraception attribute to themselves a power that belongs only to God, the power to decide in the final instance the coming into existence of a human being.”

Pope John Paul II in his Address on Responsible Procreation, September 17, 1983. Quoted in “Holy Father Condemns Contraception in Strongest Terms.” The Wanderer, September 29, 1983, pages 1 and 3.

All Catholics are required to give the full assent of faith to infallible teachings and the religious submission of will and intellect to non-infallible teachings. So often, esp. on the topic of contraception, one Catholic or another will say what they wish to believe, in contradiction to the teaching of the Church. This is simply not an acceptable position for a faithful Catholic. The Church does have the ability and the authority from God to teach truths on faith and morals.
 
MaryHelene said:
That quote has nothing to do with whether or not oral contraceptives cause abortions. It is a known fact that intrauterine devices can cause failed implantation of a zygote. Oral contraceptives do not work the same way and there is no evidence that they cause abortions.
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The makers of oral contraceptives state in their own literature that their products sometimes work by preventing implantation. Here is a summary of the evidence that oral contraceptives sometimes work by preventing implantation:

epm.org/resources/2010/Feb/17/short-condensation-does-birth-control-pill-cause-a/
 
Ron_Conte said:
The answer given by the Magisterium in the CCC is definitive. The post that you linked to, by an apologist, is not definitive; he expresses an opinion, while the CCC exercises the Magisterium.

See this explanation from the American Life League:
all.org/nav/index/heading/OQ/cat/Mzc/id/NjgyMg/
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The CCC states that contraception is never licit, which is true. However, hormonal medication that inhibits fertility, but it not used for a contraceptive effect, IS licit. A married woman who is using hormone treatment for, say, PCOS, does NOT need to abstain from intercourse with her husband just because the medication prevents her from ovulating. You need to remember that what some women use for contraception, others use for legitimate medical reasons.

Do you not understand the concept of “double effect?”
 
MaryHelene said:
The CCC states that contraception is never licit, which is true. However, hormonal medication that inhibits fertility, but it not used for a contraceptive effect, IS licit. A married woman who is using hormone treatment for, say, PCOS, does NOT need to abstain from intercourse with her husband just because the medication prevents her from ovulating. You need to remember that what some women use for contraception, others use for legitimate medical reasons.

Do you not understand the concept of “double effect?”
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Note: I have read differing judgments among good orthodox Catholic voices on such due to the potential abortive nature of the pill -that is in the case of one who is sexually active.
Anyone with the various difficulties that it is used to treat ought to look to the Paul VI institute and those trained by them -for my understanding is that they propose better ways even of treatment.
 
Relevant Radio had a doctor as a guest on their program. She had a conversion experience and became completely pro-life in her practice. I don’t remember all the particulars, but a talk with this good doctor would be inspirational. She thought her practice would collapse - it did the opposite. She was completely against using any form of birth control for any medical reason, and said this made her a better ogyn because it made her focus on getting to what was really causing problems. The way she put it to her patients showed she was on their side and what was good for their health. …a call to Relevant Radio to track down this doctor would be worth it!! I think she also helps other doctors get on the full pro-life track as well. Sorry I don’t have any other info.
 
MaryHelene said:
That link is to a religious site, not a scientific study.
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How about a link to the manufacturer’s own insert included with every packet of pills?

rxlist.com/ortho-tri-cyclen-drug/clinical-pharmacology.htm

“Combination oral contraceptives act by suppression of gonadotropins. Although the primary mechanism of this action is inhibition of ovulation, other alterations include changes in the cervical mucus (which increase the difficulty of sperm entry into the uterus) and the endometrium (which reduce the likelihood of implantation)”
 
OBNurseRachel said:
It’s not very realistic to change specialties. I have been working toward my NP for many years, in this field. I don’t have experience with other nursing fields and I can’t just “decide” to switch to dermatology and start looking for a job. It’s a long road and that would be a huge diversion that I cannot afford.

I do not work at a hospital. I work for a private practice OBGYN who is the only one in my town who does not perform or recommend abortions. He is also the only one in town willing to do VBACs. He is a lovely man and a caring, gentle practitioner. Unless you live in a heavily orthodox area, I am not sure there is a way to carry a practice if you do not prescribe any birth control, and I do not live in a Catholic-heavy area. There are several Catholic OBGYNS, but none that have a no-contraceptive practice, in our area. It’s simply part of the job, since very few people are opposed to it (even most of our Catholic clients use contraception.) It is kind of like being a pediatrician who doesn’t give vaccines. Not a huge number of people lining up for that in most areas! Right now, about 70% of our practice uses some sort of prescription birth control that was prescribed by us. That is not counting those who use over-the-counter varieties, or who get their contraceptives from their family practice doctor or a clinic.

The hospital that the OBGYN I work for admits to at is, in fact, owned by Catholic Healthcare West. Abortions cannot be performed on the premises, of course, but there are no rules about the OBGYNs who deliver/operate there not prescribing birth control in their private practices.

Right now we are waiting on some documentation and insurance stuff to be settled before I start seeing patients as a licensed NP. I am so torn about this, since I will NOT be doing obstetrics at all, but straight gynecology and clearly Rx family planning is a huge part of that for the majority of women. I do not want to sin or offend God, but this is a hard one.
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OBNurseRachel, you have worked really hard in a field that interests you to obtain nurse practitioner. Congratulations 👍

As a registered nurse, you service many people of different ethnicity, cultures and belief systems. The public do expect gold standard of nursing care, if they do not receive it they complain. In your county patients may sue if they are not informed. If they ask for a prescription for birth control and you refuse then legally you will breach your code of conduct and ethics.
It may be that you need to revise Provision 5 - nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/EthicsStandards/CodeofEthicsforNurses

Has someone spoke to you regarding prescribing birth control and religion?

Addit:
For those who are unaware of the ethical concept with in nursing, informed consent is an intricate part of this. Sometimes patients’ religious or cultural beliefs lead them to make decisions regarding their own care that may seem controversial and some instances dangerous. However, the concept of autonomy gives them the right to make those decisions unless they are mentally impaired. It is up to the nurse or doctor to inform the patient to have the choice to make that informed decision.
 
If they ask for a prescription for birth control and you refuse then legally you will breach your code of conduct and ethics.
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Such would be contrary to authentic ethics. An unethical “code of ethics” is by nature contrary to ethics. In the order of an unjust law. The nurse is to follow God before any such code…their conscience before any such false understanding of ethics.
 
TeenageConvert said:
Well I mean it’s not a sin for Catholics to use birth control…
it’s a sin to use birth control, it’s evil, it turns sex into something selfish.
I want to be a doctor one day so I worry about this too…but I believe we have an obligation to stand up against contraception.
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I am assuming you meant it IS a sin for Catholics to use birth control.

:confused:
 
OBNurseRachel said:
Hi all,

I am an RN who has recently completed studies to become a nurse practitioner. I work for an OBGYN who is pro-life, but not Catholic. I have carried this question in my heart for many months. Can I prescribe birth control? To be perfectly honest, there is no job for me in OBGYN if I can’t prescribe at least birth control pills and diaphragms. Most of our patients are not opposed to birth control and are not Catholic. I would not be responsible for inserting IUDs, but the OBGYN does. I also would not prescribe the “morning after” pill. I am really torn because I know I cannot force my beliefs on others (my husband and I used NFP), and I do need to work. On the other hand, I do not want to commit a grave sin.

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

Rachel
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Why don’t you look for a job in a crisis pregnancy center?
 
Bookcat said:
Such would be contrary to authentic ethics. An unethical “code of ethics” is by nature contrary to ethics. In the order of an unjust law. The nurse is to follow God before any such code…their conscience before any such false understanding of ethics.
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With respect reading your statement would bring ethical dilemmas like opening up a can of worms.
  • For example, a Jehovah Witness doctor or nurse refuses to give a catholic life saving blood transfusion.
In my 20 years plus nursing career, I have worked with nurses of many different faiths and cultures. I have never seen a nurse whose faith or culture did not allow her to deliver care to the patient according to the patient’s faith, as opposed to the nurse’s faith and culture.

I wouldn’t want anyone to judge me as hindering their care, and I try not to do that to patients.

Would I let myself bleed to death? No.

If you enjoy reading then I suggest an extremely good book called:

**The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down **
(A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures)
By Anne Fadiman - Farrar, Straus and Giroux Paperbacks
 
TheHolyTrinity said:
However, the concept of autonomy gives them the right to make those decisions unless they are mentally impaired. It is up to the nurse or doctor to inform the patient to have the choice to make that informed decision.
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Patient autonomy does not always trump non-maleficence. The classic example, at least for me, is the patient from Africa who has a severe disfiguring female circumcision and has a baby that tears it to shreds. She can demand all she wants that I sew her back up, but I won’t do it. First, do no harm.
 
THP said:
Patient autonomy does not always trump non-maleficence. The classic example, at least for me, is the patient from Africa who has a severe disfiguring female circumcision and has a baby that tears it to shreds. She can demand all she wants that I sew her back up, but I won’t do it. First, do no harm.
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You must have read my mind THP, because I was going to discuss FGM in my post. Thing is in these cases woman who are looking for repair will seek alternatives - less desirable clinics or even return home to have FGM completed.

There is a long human history of FGM -
Female Genital Mutilation – The Facts
Compiled by Laura Reymond, Asha Mohamud, and Nancy Ali. Funding was provided by the Wallace Global Fund.
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  • Until the 1950s, FGM was performed in England and the United States as a common “treatment” for lesbianism, masturbation, hysteria, epilepsy, and other so-called “female deviances”.
  • Religious affiliation can affect approval levels: A study in Kenya and Sierra Leone revealed that most Protestants opposed FGM while a majority of Catholics and Muslims supported its continuation.
  • There is a direct correlation between a woman’s attitude towards FGM and her place of residence, educational background, and work status. DHS data indicate that urban women are less likely than their rural counterparts to support FGM. Employed women are also less likely to support it. Women with little or no education are more likely to support the practice than those with a secondary or higher education. Data from the 1989 Sudanese survey (of women 15- to 49-years-old) show that 80 percent of women with no education or only primary education support FGM, compared to only 55 percent of those with senior secondary or higher schooling. A woman’s age does not seem to influence support.
  • Most women who have had the FGM procedure are strongly in favor of FGM for their daughters. In Egypt, 50 percent of the women surveyed reported that they had at least one daughter who had gone through the procedure, while 38 percent intended to do so in the future. In addition, most of these women want their daughters to undergo the same type of procedure they had.
  • Most women who favor ending the practice also feel they do not have enough information to convince men of the harmful effects of FGM.50 Men help continue the practice by refusing to marry women who have not had FGM or by allowing or paying for their daughters’ procedures. DHS data indicate that, in general, women believe that their husbands’ attitudes toward FGM are similar to their own. However, recent studies in Eritrea and Sudan found that men may actually be less supportive and more indifferent than women toward this practice.
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www.path.org/files/FGM-The-Facts.htm
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