I used to give a lecture on contraception to medical students and I included 2 clips from an episode of That 70's Show in my Power Point presentation. After Jackie's pregnancy scare, Donna decides to go on the pill, but her father picks up the prescription and has difficutly accepting that his daughter is "Open for Business" -sexually available to men. However, while sitting on the hood of the Vista Cruiser, Donna informs Eric that just because she's on the pill, does not mean she's ready to have sex. Eric tries to get her to pin point a time when she will be ready -his birthday is coming up- but she laughs and walks away just as Red comes around the corner, garden hose in hand. He turns it on full blast, knocking Eric to the ground as he continues to douse him, claiming "It's for your own good, son"
One of the many ironies about my experience with infertility is that I used to be known among my colleagues at "The Queen of Contraception". Wanted to adjust to a different pill to fix your patient's irregular spotting? I had the answers. Needed the know the contraindications for a particular method? I have the WHO medical eligibility chart practically memorised. Have a difficult IUD insertion? I'm your woman. I still love contraception, from the intellectual applications to the challenges of counseling and administering to the satisfaction of helping patients take control of their own fertility. I just sometimes wonder if fate is making me pay a price for being such a heavy endorser...
When I moved to California, I received a parting gift from one co-worker. It was a black tee-shirt with the message 'Use Birth Control'. On the day of my sonohystogram, I thought I'd have a little fun by wearing something inappropriate and chose that shirt. I was wise enough to keep my jacket on while sitting among the other patients in the waiting room, but it caught my RE's attention at the start of my procedure. "I don't agree with your shirt as someone in my profession" he told me. Score! I thought to myself. However, after diagnosing my uterine septum and discussing the plans for my hysteroscopy, he instructed me to start oral contraceptives with my next cycle. "And yet, you disagreed with the message on my shirt..." I couldn't resist pointing out. Touché.
Oh, how I think of the time and money I wasted on the pill. And the worry when I missed one (or two). Ha!
ReplyDeleteWhat a feisty one you are!! I love it :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with both Jen and Gypsy Mama! All the years I took the pill when I didn't have to....and oh yes, I love your fiestiness!! (is that even a word?)
ReplyDeleteIt strikes me as odd that he would say he doesn't agree with your shirt. I mean, yes, I understand the business he is in but still. Not everyone has trouble getting pregnant. Not everyone waits to have sex until that perfect moment when they are ready to start a family. We don't want even MORE teenagers running around with babies. And how funny that he then instructed you to start orac contraceptives! What was his response when you pointed out the contradiction???
He gave a slight laugh and agreed with my point. I too was a little surprised, as much as infertility sucks, it doesn't mean that it will happen to everyone!
ReplyDeleteI hate it when people don't appreciate a properly snarky sense of humour. Primarily because it's the only form of humour I have to offer. I think the shirt thing is great!
ReplyDeleteas you know this is my life every day! yesterday i gave four lessons on how to use a condom. today it was four on methods of birth control! at first, i thought that teaching students how to prevent pregnancy while infertile would suck. i honestly figured i would just have to quit my job when it became too much. truth is, i still love it. because i still believe that people should prevent pregnancy till they are ready. just because i cant get pregnant dosen't mean i want my 16 year old students to get knocked up!
ReplyDeleteCute story
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