I went to the doctor for a check-up the other day. Since I’ve moved a lot, I’ve had a lot of doctors. I’m pretty used to handling the moment where they ask you what birth control you’re on, or figure out why the heck you’re not on contraceptives. You know how it goes. You have the stories.

I’ve schooled a holistic doc with an MD who had prejudicial ideas about NFP. I’ve sent a number of information packets. I had a pretty unsuccessful venture with an OB who I’m pretty sure worships the ACOG party line, and who by the way, made me cry with her anti-child, anti-fertility rhetoric and completely terrible and offensive bedside manner. I just about walked out before the appointment was done, but she agreed to do the tests I was asking for when I think she realized what she had said was inappropriate and even could be disciplined for it.

But I’ve never actually had a doctor basically recommend the Rhythm method to me, even though you find this kind of information on the web all the time.

It went like this (maybe imagine this as an SNL skit–insert Cherie Oteri character as my doc):

Doc: And birth control?

My husband (joint check up): We use NFP.

Me: We use a fertility based natural method.

Doc: Ok. So…any kids? [Nice assumption there.]

Me: No, not yet. We’re open right now. We’d like kids, but we’re not actively trying. I have sub-fertility, so it’s going to be difficult, and we’re not at a place to start that process personally or financially yet.

Doc: [faking objective indifference with supportive enthusiasm] So, in case you’re trying, just know that you ovulate on or around day 14. [I suppress a laugh, turn it into a smile, offering up her unknowing condescension and outdated medicine. She mistakes my silence for needing more information.] You know, the egg lasts about a day, and sperm can last three to five days [well done--good science there].

Me: [Slight nod]: Great, thanks. We’re actually pretty well versed in the whole  fertility thing. The method we use, Creighton FertilityCare, is actually a clinical step up from traditional NFP. The Doctor who created it has been researching the biological signs of fertility for 30+ years, and is able to not only to read fertility, but also discern some of the underlying causes of infertility. So…we’re pretty good on that front for now.

So, if I decide to keep this lady as my GP, I’m wondering how to broach the topic again. The reason why I didn’t correct her is that, like most doctors, she has a chip on her shoulder, and thinks she always knows more than her patients. I think in certain cases, it’s best to build a relationship before you launch into the full NFP advocacy/ correct their bad gynoperceptions. Perhaps I’m gun shy since the ACOG monomaniac shot me down. Should I invite the new doc to a Creighton Intro Session? Would she even go if it wasn’t given by a doctor? Do I buy a copy of the NaPro textbook and hit her over the head with it?

Maybe if I put this journal article from the American Board of Family Medicine up in a weather balloon and claimed a child was in it, it would get a little more press and recognition. (H/T to Birth a Miracle blog for the journal link.)

It’s one of the better articles I’ve read, refuting point-by-point the major objections to Fertility-Based Methods of Family Planning (FABM’s) as a legitimate method of family planning and fertility treatment. 

One of the strengths of the article–and NFP fans may disagree–is it’s honesty about the lack of data on the benefits of FABM’s: increased communication, enhanced intimacy (the honeymoon effect), increased respect for their partner and other psycho-spiritual effects. While there’s loads of anecdotal evidence, it’s true that the statistical evidence is lacking. This doesn’t mean that the positive effects don’t exist; I believe they do. However, as I stated in a previous piece on promoting NFP, more studies are needed, and those studies need to be published.

I might know statistics and a fair study when I see one, but I don’t know the name of the grants and publication game. Any med students, doctors or academics out there who have any suggestions? 

One small step for NFP, one giant leap for NFP-kind. Keep it up, Drs. Pallone & Bergus!

I nixed the Teens and Birth Control show on the FertilityCare iPod queue because it was more moral and cultural commentary than about diagnosing young women’s menstrual issues. It was a good show, and a little insightful into the average teen-and-mother/ doctor experience; i.e., what the doctor says when prescribing versus what he really things, and the general lack of knowledge into women’s wellness. What it comes down to is that typical Ob/Gyns are not prepared to identify, diagnose and treat girls’ or womens’ wellness issues without the Pill. There’s a lot of reasons for this–lack of education, contraceptive bias, pharma kickbacks for prescribing the Pill, etc.–but in the end, the Pill serves as a band aid over the underlying issue, which may persist for years and cause problems down the line. However, I was looking for more of the medical/ fertility commentary on that issue.

Which brings me to the next episode I’d like to feature: Women Healed: Infertility. In this episode Dr. Hilgers talks about FertilityCare vs. IVF, and why FertilityCare blows IVF out of the water, not only for helping people conceive, but also for treating their fertility issues. His years of research and medical practice developed into something called NaProTechnology, or Natural Procreative Technology. It’s a major breakthrough for reproductive science, offering real solutions to some real issues:

• Infertility
• Menstrual Cramps
• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
• Ovarian Cysts
• Irregular or abnormal bleeding
• Polycystic ovarian disease
• Repetitive miscarriage
• Postpartum depression
• Prematurity prevention
• Hormonal abnormalities

…and so on.

It’s really quite astounding once one looks into NaProTechnology, which is a fertility-based women’s care, not fertility-control, or fertility-suppression methods. It works with your whole body because fertility is a state of wellness, not a disease to treat. Dr. Hilgers has put together a book of the same title of this post, which you can find here. Are you ready to find out more about being healed?