Midwifery: July 2004 Archives

Mark over at Vociferous Yawpings has created a Catholic Political Platform which is well worth reading. I made a long comment on his section on health care. Maybe when I get back from vacation I will expand on this and put it up here. And maybe I won't.
I really wish that we lived in a world where I could just do what God called me to do without there being such a big hassle about it! But that wouldn't be our fallen Earth, then, would it......

All is well
Thank you, Amy.

ScienceDirect - Fertility and Sterility : Hormonal factors and the risk of invasive ovarian cancer: a population-based case-control study
Same data in simple English here

on calendar rhythm. CycleBeadsare a method of determining potentially fertile days based on thousands of cycles examined through the Ovulation Method (Billings) and then turning that data into a simple algorithm. This method only works for women with regular cycles that are 26 to 32 days in length (Basically, the same group for whom calendar rhythm is effective). What is interesting is that this method is as effective at pregnancy prevention as most other user-dependant methods.
Rhythm has actually gotten an undeserved bad name. Calendar rhythm is 80% plus effective at pregnancy prevention when properly understood and utilized. The real problem with calendar methods is that they are not effective for pregnancy prevention immediately post-partum (although breastfeeding can be) or during menarche and menopause related cycle irregularities.
Addendum: Amy Welborn has a couple of related posts on the topic.
see here(warning;148 c0mments at last sighting) and here
So does Charles De Nunzio
And an article about the moral dangers of some attitudes here

I will be in Omaha NE from 7/21 to 7/26 for the annual meeting of the American Academy of Fertility Care Practitioners. If anyone lives in that area and would like to try to get together, please contact me via email.

Systematic review of the incidence and consequences of uterine rupture in women with previous caesarean section

Abstract follows

British Journal of Cancer: Legal Abortions Are "Best Predictor of British Breast Cancer Trends" (U.S. Newswire)

The Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer notes a report in the British Journal of Cancer (BJC) concerning a presentation in Manchester (UK)on "Trends and Risk Factors in English Breast Cancer." It shows that legally induced abortion is the best predictor of British breast cancer trends. (1)

1. "Trends and Risk Factors in English Breast Cancers." British Journal of
Cancer. Vol 91 Supplement 1 July 2004 page S24.