Chapter 10, Part III: Conception/Contraception, Inplantation/Abortifacient - What’s the Difference and Why Does It Matter?
Let’s start with some basic definitions and scientific facts:
1. Ovulation:? occurs when the ovum erupts from the ovary.
2. Fertilization:? occurs when the head of one sperm penetrates the surface of the ovum.? The genes of the parents meet for the first time, and a new child is created.? “The egg, or ovum, (from the mother) can be fertilized during an interval of ten to twelve hours, perhaps up to twenty-four hours.? If there are sperm ready at the right moment, close to the funnel-shaped mouth of the Fallopian tube, the ovum can be fertilized.[1]?
3. Conception:? is another term for fertilization.[2]
4. Contraception:? “The intentional prevention? of fertilization of the human ovum, as by special devices, drugs, etc.†? [3]
5. Endometrium:? lining of the uterus which becomes rich with blood in preparation for the possible developing baby who is to implant itself into the lining for nourishment.? When implantation does not occur, the lining is sloughed off in the form of menstruation.
6. Implantation:? occurs within 10 days of fertilization, when the developing child nestles itself into the lining of its mother’s uterus.[4],[5]
7. Abortifacient:? “a drug or device that causes abortion†? [6] by preventing the developing child from implanting into the endometrium.
Soon after conception but BEFORE implantation, the DNA of the developing child can be read like a bar code to “read†the sex of the child through polymerization.? Dr. Jerome Lejeune, an eminent geneticist from
“From an embryo? at 3 days of age–we can very carefully take one of those cells, puncturing the zona pellucida with a tiny hole and removing only one cell, then closing the hole.? Then from that cell, with a new technique called PCR, that is ‘chain polymerization,’ we can reproduce the DNA which was in that unique cell and have enough of that DNA to make an analysis of? it–working on human embryos produced in vitro, they were able to–look at the DNA with a? special probe, and determine whether those tiny embryos were male or female–[S]o even in an embryo a week old–we can say already, ‘It’s a man’ or ‘She’s a woman.’ ? â€? [7]
The Pill
CHEMICAL METHODS of family planning? are NOT necessarily? “USER-FRIENDLY.� Each package of contraceptive pills is to contain a package insert, explaining in fine print, the possible side effects? of that specific drug and how it works.?
Pill inserts from various manufactures are similar.? It’s interesting to note that in some cases the physician’s insert to the Pill, may be more detailed and contain additional information regarding possible side effects? of the drug that may NOT be included in the patient’s version of the package insert!?
Information provided in these inserts includes a section titled “Clinical Pharmacology,†which explains that combination contraceptives? also produce “changes in the endometrium? [lining of the uterus] which reduce the likelihood of implantation.†? [8]? This means that, “the lining of the uterus does not become fully developed so that even if an egg does ripen and is fertilized, there is little likelihood that it would become implanted.†? [9]?
In English, this means that should the life of a child be conceived, the developing baby who is now 7-11 days old, will most likely be unable to implant itself into the lining of its mother’s uterus due to changes to the lining caused by the Pill.? Since the child is unable to implant itself into its mother’s uterus (womb), the child dies of starvation, and the mother never knows that she ever conceived this child.?
When this “back-up†mechanism of the Pill? takes place (aborting the child by chemically preventing implantation), the Pill is acting as, and is referred to as an abortifacient.
? “At least 16 studies here and abroad have shown an increase in breast cancer in younger women who have used oral contraceptives.†? [12]
A natural and healthy alternative to contraceptive chemicals is natural family planning? (NFP).? NFP is as effective as “the pill†and has none of the negative side effects? associated with chemical contraceptives.? Natural Family Planning is an effective, safe, natural and positive way for a couple to share the responsibility and participate in planning their family.? See the chapter titled “Natural Family Planning (NFP).� Natural family planning classes are available at area hospitals.? Classes are inexpensive, and allowances may be made for those with limited incomes.? Learning this method from Planned Parenthood, a government family planning? clinic, or other centers supportive of abortion? is not recommended.? A friend who attended an NFP class at a Planned Parenthood facility was taught the method incorrectly.
The Catholic? Church has ALWAYS taught that the use of artificial contraception? is intrinsically wrong, since the use of contraception removes God from the equation.? “Until 1930 the common belief of most Christians, was that contraception by artificial means was immoral.? The Lambeth Conference? of the Bishops of the Church of England - the Episcopal Church was the first time a Christian church? permitted the use of artificial contraceptives.†? [13]
Contraception allows men to use women like a “piece of meat.� A state representative tells of a statement made by a fellow representative who thought it was a good idea to have Norplant? implants placed in the upper arm of all women so that if a man didn’t feel the Norplant implants in her arm, he would know to move on to the next woman!? (Sounds like a great reason NOT to use Norplant.)
A Letter to the Editor titled Law Needed To Stop Teen Pregnancies stated, “What in fact is needed is an immunization? against teen-age pregnancy, an immunization that would apply to all classes and races.? I challenge our state and national legislators to pass a law making it mandatory for all females between certain ages (10-20?) to undergo a medical procedure, like Norplant–.†(emphasis added).
How can our young people be expected to practice abstinence? and self control when adults don’t expect it of them?? The answer to teen pregnancy? is abstinence and secondary virginity.? The answer to regaining respect for women, must include respecting that which makes women special - the ability and God-given privilege of bearing our nation’s most precious bounty - our children.
[1] Lennart Nilsson, A Child Is Born, pp. 22, 33.
[2] The American Medical Association Family Medical Guide, p. 616.
[3] Webster’s New World Dictionary of the American Language, Second College Edition, p. 308.
[4] The Miracle of Life, NOVA #1004, p. 9.
[5] Lennart Nilsson, A Child Is Born, p. 39.
[6] Webster’s New World Dictionary, Second College Edition, p. 4.
[7] “Dr. Lejeune’s Testimony,†HLI Reports, Jan. 1991, pp. 4, 5, 9.
[8] “Desogen Tablets,†(desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol), Organon Inc., NJ 07052.
[9] “A Guide to the Methods of Contraception, The Pill or Oral Contraceptive,†Rev; 10-83, Ortho Pharmaceutical Corp.;
[10]) “Insert to Desogen Tablets,†manufactured for Organon Inc., West Orange, NJ 07052 by N.V. Organon, OSS, Holland (oral contraceptives.)
[11] “Contraceptive Use, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, and Fertility Problems Among American Women,†1982. Reprinted by the
[12] Sheryl Temaat, Birth Control Methods, Health, and the Schools, a handbook for middle and high school counselors, and health, science, and biology teachers. 19935 Top O’ the Moor;
[13] “The Contraceptive Mentality-Modern Curse†In Unitate,? Apr./May 1990, pp. 2, 3.