Natural Birth Control Methods
Natural birth control is a method of contraception without using certain devices, drugs and procedures, such as sterilization or vasectomy. Using this type of birth control is considered safer than contraceptives because it does not cause side effects. Natural birth control can be an option for women who are not suitable for using contraception. This birth control method is also usually used to prevent the side effects of hormonal contraception, such as injectable birth control, birth control pills and birth control implants or implants.
Types of Natural Birth Control
There are three types of natural birth control methods that mothers can choose and use to prevent pregnancy, namely as follows:
- Not having sexual relations during the fertile period
When you have sexual intercourse during the fertile period or ovulation, it will be easier for sperm to fertilize the egg. This makes a woman’s chances of getting pregnant higher. Therefore, to prevent pregnancy with natural birth control, mothers need to avoid intimate relations while they are ovulating or a few days before and after.
To find out when a woman ovulates each month, here are several ways you can do it:
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- Using the calendar calculation method.
This method is done by finding out the mother’s menstrual schedule and fertile period. If you have a 28 day menstrual cycle, the mother’s ovulation period is likely on the 14th day. Day 1 is the first day of the mother’s menstruation and day 28 is the last day before the first day of the mother’s next menstruation. After knowing the estimated day of menstruation, the mother can count back 12-16 days and this is the estimated fertile period for the mother. During this time period, mothers are advised not to have sex to prevent pregnancy. This method is quite easy to do if the mother has a regular menstrual pattern. If your mother’s menstruation is irregular and you have difficulty determining it, you can consult a doctor or midwife. - Measuring the mother’s basal body temperature.
Basal body temperature is the temperature when the body is resting, for example when you wake up in the morning. To find out basal body temperature, mothers can use a digital thermometer. During ovulation, a woman’s basal body temperature will increase by 0.3o Celsius. If the mother’s body temperature remains the same for 3 days or more, it is likely that the mother is in her fertile period and is advised not to have sex. The best time to measure basal body temperature is in the morning before the mother gets out of bed. Make sure you sleep well and do the same method every day to get accurate results. - With the cervical mucus method (Billings Ovulation Method/MOB).
This method requires the mother to check the pattern of cervical mucus throughout the menstrual cycle. Before the ovulation process occurs, the mother will produce more vaginal mucus which is thinner than usual. To find out changes in cervical mucus, mothers can start paying attention and recording the condition of the fluid that comes out of the vagina one day after menstruation ends. Mothers can see it from the fluid that sticks to their underwear or by wiping their intimate organs using a cloth or tissue. To prevent pregnancy, avoid sexual intercourse from the first day cervical mucus comes out with a different texture until four days after the peak day of the mother’s ovulation period.
- Using the calendar calculation method.
- Providing exclusive breast milk (Lactational Amenorrhea Method).
Apart from being beneficial for babies, exclusive breastfeeding can also be good for preventing pregnancy in breastfeeding mothers. This is because the breastfeeding process can inhibit ovulation and menstruation in mothers who have just given birth. This natural birth control method is called the Lactational Amenorrhea Method (MAL). To use this method, the mother must be ready to breastfeed the baby whenever he needs it, both during the day and at night. The break in breastfeeding should be no more than 4 hours during the day and 6 hours at night. However, if the mother has menstruated again, this indicates that the ovaries have released eggs so that the mother can become pregnant again. If this happens, the mother is advised to use another birth control method. - Removing the Penis Before Ejaculation/Interrupted Intercourse.
If you want to have sex at the time you want without getting pregnant, you can apply this method. This method is done by removing the penis from the vagina when it is about to release sperm or ejaculate. This technique is also called interrupted intercourse. For the results to be effective, men must be able to control themselves strongly and be able to estimate the right time when withdrawing their penis.
Natural birth control is a method that doesn’t cost a fortune and has no risk of side effects. However, you need to remember that this method is certainly not as effective as using contraceptives. To be safer, this natural birth control method can be combined with the use of other forms of birth control, such as condoms. Even so, mothers can still prevent pregnancy with natural birth control as long as they have strong motivation and will and can apply the methods correctly. If you still have questions about natural birth control, you are also advised to consult a doctor or midwife.
