Ecological breastfeeding: Prevention is the best medicine
#3 in WBW series
In our marriage, NFP has been a blessing in that I have been able to receive proper medical care, knowing that I was making a prudent decision when needing to space children. In 1989, my sister was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. At that time, my obstetrician asked how many members of my family had ovarian and breast cancer. My reply was something like: “Well, my mom, her only sister, my cousins, my maternal grandfather’s sisters and their daughters, etc.” Because of the number of female members who had the same type of cancer, my family (my sisters and myself) was asked to be part of the Familial Ovarian Cancer Clinic’s (FOCC) study in Boston. During that time, we also noted that there were several other types of cancer in the family, including but not limited to colon cancer.
My husband and I felt that it was necessary to be prudent in our decision in regards to having children. At the same time, we also wanted to continue to be open to life. The doctors in Boston consistently asked that I go on the pill to reduce the number of ovulations that would occur and thus reduce the chance of ovarian cancer. The pill was not a viable option as we knew that the pill could act as an abortifacient. The doctors then strongly recommended that I have my ovaries removed. At that time, it was believed that those who started ovulating early or had a late menopausal history in their family had a greater number of ovulations which could act in an adverse way towards developing ovarian cancer. It certainly made no sense to us to take a pill for a healthy body or to have an organ removed which was not diseased. Yet, prudence dictated that particular testing should be done. Specifically, it was recommended to have ovarian ultrasounds to assist in picking up increased blood flow associated with ovarian cancer and yearly mammograms. When I found out that I had adenomatous polyps growing in my colon (a precancerous growth), I had to add to the picture of testing: colonoscopies as recommended by my physician.
My husband and I have been fortunate in being able to have 8 beautiful children. I recently gave birth to our newest little son and turned 46 shortly after his birth. When our babies have been around 7-8 months of age, I have my colonoscopy. At that time, I can feed the baby some solids and skip a nursing, therefore not worrying about the medication taken during the procedure affecting the baby. When my menses returns somewhere between 12 to 15 months postpartum, I make an appointment for an ovarian ultrasound as it is preferred to be done at a particular time of the cycle. Finally, when the baby is done nursing, I have my mammogram. All in all, considering the number of children we have and the period of extended infertility from EBF, we have not had to use [systematic] NFP that much.
Ecological breastfeeding has had enhanced benefits for our family. The doctors in Boston specifically wished to reduce the number of ovulations occurring over my lifetime. Having had an extended period of infertility from ecological breastfeeding coupled with the lack of ovulation during pregnancy, I have had a natural reduction in the number of ovulations. We also have been thankful for the fact that there is a connection (well known in the medical community) between nursing a baby and a reduction in breast cancer. The longer a woman breastfeeds, the more she is protected against breast cancer.
Certainly there has been a great deal of trust in the Lord. That however is part of our beautiful faith. We have prayed to achieve a balance between being generous and prudent, believing that our children need a mother. Strangely enough, we have been told by some that we are not trusting in the Lord as they feel that we should not be using [systematic] NFP at all. We believe that we have had a serious reason to use it for a short time. At the same time, we have had many individuals who have said that we are not being prudent and that we should be removing my ovaries. Again, we have prayed to achieve a balance. Thus it is in prayer that we have made our decisions and certainly we are thankful that we have 8 beautiful children, our eldest being 19 years of age. We have always asked the doctors after testing if there were any real medical reason not to have another child. Once the doctors gave the go ahead, we let God do the rest and felt that we were not to question new life each month.
The Lord is kind and merciful. We are thankful not only for our children, but for the gift of ecological breastfeeding, its benefits and the ability to use [systematic] natural family planning when necessary.
Tomorrow: Co-sleeping made the difference!
Sheila Kippley
Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood
Natural Family Planning (online manual)
www.nfpandmore.org