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muck_a_luckSo. Had the most interesting trip to the OB/GYN today. No, no. Don't avert your eyes. Nothing gross to follow!
Excellent doctor, highly recommend her.
I asked her about birth control alternatives, and had the most interesting conversation I think I have ever had with a doctor.
First, I should say that, aside from very negative commentary about IUD's, which of course she would have, she was very helpful and matter of fact about a whole range of birth control options.
I think the first really interesting thing she said was related to the idea of sterilization. Just to let everyone know that I did not ASK about sterilization. We are not considering it. She was giving me the whole laundry list of options. She said that while all the other doctors in her practice did sterilization procedures, she personally did not, because while she was sure that each individual patient thought it through and "prayed it through," she just couldn't imagine sterlizing 1000 or more people in the course of her career.
So interesting. Prayed it through. Not what you expect to hear from a doctor. And, I realize, not something I would ever think myself. I just don't think that way.
Later, she commented several times about "should God choose to send you a baby."
When I asked her, did she recommend a particular method of birth control, her answer was so interesting.
First, she said she liked barrier methods, because they are effective and not permanent. She herself uses a diaphram. She gave me a lot of advice about how to use a diaphram successfully and highly recommended it.
Then she said she didn't like the idea of putting chemicals in her body. She then stepped back and said that there was no scientific reason not to use hormonal birth control methods, but that her "superstition" was that she didn't like the idea of being on hormones for prolonged periods of time.
Finally, she said that she thought the "ideal" birth control method was natural timing methods. She emphasized that to do this right you had to learn how, go to classes, take your temperature, test your ovulation, but that if done right it was 96% effective and in her mind the ideal, because you put nothing in your body at all. Well, except that. Don't be so immature. We're having a grown-up discussion here.
I can't emphasize enough how low key this all was. Aside from the fact that right after I asked about her opinion she asked me if my faith was an important part of my life. That caught me off-guard and took me a beat to answer, but I said, "Not with regard to this." But aside from that one, very personal question, I didn't feel there was anything judgmental or that she was not providing the best possible information. If I hadn't asked her for her recommendation, I'm not sure I would have picked up on this nearly as much, though she did make that comment about sterilization in explaining why she wouldn't perform them.
It was just interesting. And unsettling. But not necessarily bad. Just made me think about perspectives.
I certainly would not go to this woman for advice on an abortion. However, all things considered, I will probably continue to use her and her practice as long as we are in the area.
So who knew that the dreaded annual would be so thought-provoking.
Excellent doctor, highly recommend her.
I asked her about birth control alternatives, and had the most interesting conversation I think I have ever had with a doctor.
First, I should say that, aside from very negative commentary about IUD's, which of course she would have, she was very helpful and matter of fact about a whole range of birth control options.
I think the first really interesting thing she said was related to the idea of sterilization. Just to let everyone know that I did not ASK about sterilization. We are not considering it. She was giving me the whole laundry list of options. She said that while all the other doctors in her practice did sterilization procedures, she personally did not, because while she was sure that each individual patient thought it through and "prayed it through," she just couldn't imagine sterlizing 1000 or more people in the course of her career.
So interesting. Prayed it through. Not what you expect to hear from a doctor. And, I realize, not something I would ever think myself. I just don't think that way.
Later, she commented several times about "should God choose to send you a baby."
When I asked her, did she recommend a particular method of birth control, her answer was so interesting.
First, she said she liked barrier methods, because they are effective and not permanent. She herself uses a diaphram. She gave me a lot of advice about how to use a diaphram successfully and highly recommended it.
Then she said she didn't like the idea of putting chemicals in her body. She then stepped back and said that there was no scientific reason not to use hormonal birth control methods, but that her "superstition" was that she didn't like the idea of being on hormones for prolonged periods of time.
Finally, she said that she thought the "ideal" birth control method was natural timing methods. She emphasized that to do this right you had to learn how, go to classes, take your temperature, test your ovulation, but that if done right it was 96% effective and in her mind the ideal, because you put nothing in your body at all. Well, except that. Don't be so immature. We're having a grown-up discussion here.
I can't emphasize enough how low key this all was. Aside from the fact that right after I asked about her opinion she asked me if my faith was an important part of my life. That caught me off-guard and took me a beat to answer, but I said, "Not with regard to this." But aside from that one, very personal question, I didn't feel there was anything judgmental or that she was not providing the best possible information. If I hadn't asked her for her recommendation, I'm not sure I would have picked up on this nearly as much, though she did make that comment about sterilization in explaining why she wouldn't perform them.
It was just interesting. And unsettling. But not necessarily bad. Just made me think about perspectives.
I certainly would not go to this woman for advice on an abortion. However, all things considered, I will probably continue to use her and her practice as long as we are in the area.
So who knew that the dreaded annual would be so thought-provoking.
