I feel a rant coming on, but I’m so tired of this scenario.
I attend a doctor’s appointment because I have a thyroid condition that requires regular management. 95 percent of the time I will be asked what contraception I am using. I politely and patiently explain that I am Catholic and part of my belief is that artificial contraception is in opposition to life, therefore I don’t use it. My husband and I use Natural Family Planning and have for the course of our marriage. Can you imagine the response of the “medical professional”? If you’re a Catholic woman I need not enlighten you.
What really bugs me is the way people bang on about “choice” and “open mindedness” and then present themselves as total hypocrites when I make my choices. I’m not forcing my ideals or morals on anyone, I’m simply doing what I believe is right and good. For this I’m judged as being stupid, subserviant to my husband and a religious fanatic!
I totally understand….and have been dealing with this for a long time…..just wanted you to know that you are not alone š
(I just found your blog via a comment on Little Jenny Wren).
Good doctors are hard to find. We've just had baby number three and had medical staff question our decision to use oral vitamin K and not to have the newborn hep B needle.
The world would be a much nicer place if everyone was more tolerant of other's choices!
I totally understand and can relate to your experiences. My wife and I have endured a definite condescending attitude from her OB/GYN when we told him she would no longer be taking The Pill. His attitude has softened a bit over the past several years since we have had a perfect "success" rate with NFP, both in avoiding and achieving pregnancy.
It's definitely a struggle, though, and it requires patience and a backbone.
gee, thanks for posting i had no idea. I have never been on the pill- but am not catholic, just had fake hormones once to stop bleeding and felt like a bit of a mad woman!! I have hypothyroidism and I don't reckon have ever been asked about birth control- how weird.
You have a right to be mad. How narrow minded!!!
Some people (like me) have to use NFP due to health reasons. What would this doctor say to me??!!
Handmaiden, NFP couples could write volumes on "What happens when we go to the doctor"! Unfortunately, we generally have to go on the offensive when we go to the doctor. I usually bring some brochures about NFP, and once I brought my NFP book. Next time I'm bringing this article from the Journal of Family Medicine:
http://www.nfpworksblog.com/2009/10/15/journal-article-physicians-should-offer-nfp/
frustrates me to no end as well! I always get the doctors lecture every time I mention NFP, and leave feeling like I am completely naive. I am totally happy with my choice though, but totally over being questioned by so called professionals.
i hear ya!! as someone who works in the medical profession i can't believe when i see my collegues push their judgements on their patients… not good enough
on the other hand i've had this happen to me too, but i wanted contraception and i was refused by a doctor!! needless to say i reported him to the medical board as he didn't even inquire as to why i needed the pill…
hope you're day improves
merry christmas š
It frustrates the heck out of me.
I have found that doctors in the country tend to be more open to our use of it and don't really question me about it anymore.
I am so sorry you have to deal with narrow mindedness like this.
I am not a practicing catholic due to certain reasons, but I do believe that we all have the right and the choice to live our life the way we choose.
I never consider my way the right way, and I never judge people on their way.
It really makes me mad when people in a so called position of power such as doctors etc feel that they have the right to criticise peoples choices.
I congratulate you on standing your ground for what you believe in. Don't let someones narrow mindedness get to you.
Stay Strong (I know it is sometimes easier said than done š )