›› Conception Chart
A conception chart
is a bit more useful for having a child than for avoiding having one,
though they can be used for both. The western conception chart only
claims to be able to predict cycles of ovulation and tell you when you
will be the most fertile so that you can be sure to have sex on those
days, while the chines conception chart claims much greater powers. The
chines conception chart claims to actually be able to predict the
child's gender based on the phase of the moon, the mothers age, and a
variety of other factors, but most people are skeptical to say the
least.
The only people who
use a conception chart to try to avoid birth are devout Catholics, and
members of other faiths which forbid the use of birth control. This is
called the rhythm method, and is unfortunately far less reliable than
the use of plain old birth control. My sister married a Catholic, and
subsequently converted and became an extremely devout Catholic herself.
She would carefully mark her conception chart with symbols indicating
the days when she was and when she wasn't fertile, but unfortunately,
the whole thing failed spectacularly. Within 6 months, she was pregnant
with her first child. Within another four months of giving birth, she
was pregnant with her second. It is plain to see that there are some
things which a conception chart was not meant to do.
Unfortunately,
conception charts aren't always that useful even for encouraging
pregnancy. For most people, having enough unprotected sex virtually
guarantees that they will have a kid. For those with serious fertility
problems, however, making sure to have intercourse at the appropriate
time is simply not enough to do the trick. A conception chart is one of
the tools used by fertility experts to try to encourage pregnancy, but
often more drastic methods like artificial insemination are required to
do the trick, so to speak.
One way or another, there will be results eventually if both people are
persistent, and if there aren't those results, there are always other
options available. For example, the couple can adopt, or even hire a
surrogate mother. Personally, I am a big fan of adoption, instead of
bringing another child into the world. With the number of unwanted
kids, it really is a wonderful thing to ensure that one of them grows
up in a loving family, who might otherwise have not.
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A Healthy Dose of Good Advice
