Sue's Sex FAQ

Pregnancy

Sex FAQs provided by Sue Johanson of the Sunday Night Sex Show.

Q. What home pregnancy kit would you suggest?

A. All the home pregnancy test kits available on the market today claim they are 99% accurate, and all of them work on pretty well the same principal.

When conception has taken place and the fertilized ovum has implanted into the lining of her uterus, her body starts producing hormones that spill over into her blood stream and urine.

The earliest and most accurate early pregnancy test called a BETA HcG Blood test would be done by your doctor with the results coming back in about 24-36 hours.

Home tests are relatively simple but you must follow instructions, don't think that if one drop of urine is good, two would be better. A few require you to use first thing in the morning urine, others you can use anytime. All of the tests were very simple, some you simply held the test stick under the flow of urine, others you collected a sample of urine in a clean bottle and then "dunked" the test stick in the urine. The resulting colour change was obvious in about a minute.

One test could be done the first day your period is late, other test could be done the day your period is due.

My local pharmacy carried eight different brands of early pregnancy tests. They cost anywhere between $15.00 to $20.00.

Go to your local drug store, shop and compare then you decide which hormone pregnancy test would suit you best.

Q. I am a 21-year-old female and have taken the "Morning After Pill" ten times. I just wanted to know if this would affect my ability to have children in the near future?

A. I regard the Morning After Pill (MAP) or Early Contraception Pills (ECP) as crisis invention. It is intended to prevent implantation of a fertilized ovum. It is not designed to be a regular method of birth control.

I am wondering why you are putting yourself through this angst so frequently, when there are excellent effective methods of birth control. When you are having sex, are you worrying that you might be ovulating, when was your last menstrual period, when can I get to a clinic or a doctor for the MAP, are they open, can I get them within the 72 hour time limit, will they give it to me again? And every time you have to take those pills, feeling barfy for a day, and then waiting for your period to come?

Because you are sexually active and do not want a pregnancy at this stage of your life, would you go to your local Planned Parenthood or Sexual Health Clinic and find out about all the good methods of contraception that are available for you. Even asking your partner to use a condom would reduce the risks of an unplanned pregnancy.

The MAP is a strong combination of the hormones Estrogen and Progesterone and is effective most of the time, provided you take the pills within 72 hours of unprotected sex. But no guarantees that it will work this time, then what would you do? Terminate the pregnancy or have the baby? Does the partner worry about the potential of becoming an unplanned parent?

In terms of affecting your future fertility, there are no studies indicating that the MAP will affect your chances of a future pregnancy, but why put yourself through this stress when, with a good method of contraception, used as prescribed would allow you to enjoy "worry free sex."

Q. The last time I had sex with my boyfriend the condom broke. It had spermicide and I finished my period a week before we had sex. Am I pregnant?

A. You did not say how long ago it was that you had sex, a day or a week? In any case, get to a clinic or go to a family doctor. Phone the sexual health clinic. If it was within the last 72 hours, you can get the morning after pill. You will get four pills. Take two tonight and 12 hours later you take the last two pills. Take Gravol before each dose. In about 10 days to 2 weeks you will get a different type of period but you are not pregnant. Then get a better method of birth control while you are there. It's really stressful and you don't need the hassle. Good luck.

If you had sex a week ago, not much you can do but wait till your period is late, then do a pregnancy test and then if it is positive, you have to make some fast decisions. If you are negative, then get a good method of birth control.

Q. I'm a little on the wild side but I have problems introducing sex toys in the bedroom. My wife is overdue in her pregnancy.

A. Don't introduce anything. Not right now. She might have some bright ideas about what you should do with those sex toys. Not right now. After the baby is born, arrange for the babysitter, get them supper and then you make a reservation in a nice restaurant and take a walk with your girlfriend to a nice sex store and you look, touch and feel them together. You talk about it and she gets used to the idea that they are available. Don't buy one then work it in later.

Q. My girlfriend is pregnant (7 ½ months). Is sex okay and what position will put the least amount of pressure on the baby?

A. The baby is fine. The baby is in the uterus with walls that are thick. It is not only protected by the uterus but the baby is floating in an amniotic sack full of water. It will just bob around happily. At 7 ½ months, however, it gets tricky. Your partner should get in knee/chest position. Then her abdomen won't rest on the bed and be uncomfortable. She can also stand up, leaning over the back of a sofa, rear entry, vaginal sex. Soon she will start going to the doctor once a week. Ask the doctor then if it is still safe. Some doctors say go for it, right to the end and other say no, not after eight months pregnant. It might trigger premature labour.

Q. I'm pregnant and I was wondering if it is okay to have anal sex?

A. Gently. No vigorous sex. It is fine. Absolutely fine. Now, I am not sure you will be to gung ho about anal sex when you are eight months pregnant and that is wise.

Q. My daughter is 35 years of age, just married and she and her husband smoke cigarettes. They both want to start a family in the near future. I am trying to convince them that they should both give up smoking now. How can I help?

A. I know you cannot give up smoking unless there is a crisis related to smoking that makes them realize how dangerous it is or they have had enough of: the craving, the smell, the dirty ashtrays, the expense and nowadays, the inconvenience of having to go outside to have a butt. I know you mean well, but you have very little clout till THEY both decide to quit. What you might do is print out this article and leave it around for them to read.

It would be much easier if they both gave it up together. They will be cranky, headachy, hungry, and restless without a cigarette. They will both need to have low calorie munchies ready, both be involved in an exercise program and both support and encourage each other.

Your daughter is 35 years old, and getting pregnant after age 35 is more difficult and dangerous. Smoking will not be helpful.

Research shows that:

Women who smoke produce less Estrogen necessary for ovulation.
Women who smoke have more difficulty conceiving.
They are at increased risk of having an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy.
There is an increased risk of miscarriage early in the pregnancy.
Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of premature delivery.
Babies born to smoking moms generally have a lower birth weight.
Babies born to smoking moms are slower to breathe.
Babies are already addicted to nicotine and go through withdrawal.
Males who smoke experience erectile dysfunction (impotence).
Males who smoke have a lower sperm count and the sperm are not as mobile (active) and there are more abnormal sperm than non-smoking fathers.

There are a prescription drugs that virtually eliminate the withdrawal symptoms. You set a target "stop date," then two weeks before that date, you start the medication but can continue to smoke till your "stop day." You have no desire to smoke; you really do not miss it.

Get your kids to talk to your doctor to find out if they are good candidates for Zyban. Good luck, Grandma.

Q. My girlfriend just found out she is pregnant and we just cannot have a baby at this stage of our lives. We are both in college, we have no money and our parents would not be supportive if we had a baby. We are both very emotional about this. We know we could not give a baby up for adoption. Can she get an abortion? Is it expensive, is it painful and will she be able to have children later on?

A. Your friend is so lucky she has a loving, supportive partner like you to help her through this crisis. Yes, abortion is legal in Canada. Make an appointment with your family doctor and ask for a referral to a specialist who does this procedure, or you could find a legitimate abortion clinic in your area. Do this as quickly as possible because the easiest and safest therapeutic abortion is generally done in the first 14 weeks of the pregnancy.

In most provinces in Canada, a hospital abortion is covered under your provincial health plan. If you go to a private clinic, you will be expected to pay part of the cost not covered by your health plan.

An early termination is usually done under general anesthetic and she is discharged the same day. It is not painful although there may be some cramping later on that day. In a clinic setting a tranquillizer and painkillers are given before the procedure, and the pain pills for later on. I will not tell you it is pain free, there is some discomfort. But, delivering a baby is not pain free either.

A therapeutic abortion should not affect her ability to have children when they are planned. So that is not something to worry about. Do get an effective method of birth control to use till you are ready to be parents.

Your biggest worry right now is to get an appointment with a doctor ASAP You have made a decision but you do not have a lot of time to act on it.

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