Levy,+Sean

Shawn Levy


 * 1) With the advent of birth control systems, sex has shifted from means to an end, children specifically, to an end in itself. This has, for want of a better term, cheapened the value of sex. Though this change is inline with culture in general; by and large, culture seems more accepting of sexual themes. Movies, books and even in common conversation are more explicit than they were even twenty years ago. This isn’t inherently a problem as repression in any form is a problem but proliferation on a grand scale has the potential to warp societal values.
 * 2) Procreation is a complicated process, with so many variables as to seem impossible. Such a fragile system it is that when one part fails others quickly follow. What’s worse is that often the parents of this potential child don’t know what specifically is failing, making failure to conceive a frustrating event.

Contraceptive project Shawn Levy Period 3 12/3/09 Health

Page 2: The male condom has been a popular and common contraceptive since the late 17th century. Traditionally made of natural materials, most disturbingly animal intestines, the 20th century has shifted production to synthetic materials notably latex. Originally a luxury of the wealth, condoms became a common tool of contraception among the poor at the start of the industrial age. Like many things mass production techniques drove down the cost of the condom.

Page 3: The condom is classified as a barrier method contraceptive, as if blocks the sperm from entering the vagina. It is non-prescription, quite readily available in any convenience store.

Page 4: Simply the condom acts barrier between the sperm and vagina. A reservoir at the tip catches sperm after ejaculation keeping the sperm from fertilizing an egg.

Page 5: Condoms can be found pretty universally at any convenience store for anywhere between 20cents and two dollars per condom. With most things price drops significantly when purchased in bulk.

Page 6: As contraceptives go the condom has one of the highest availability to effectiveness ratios. With a failure rate in the low teens, a number which sinks even lower when used with spermicide, the condom is very effective. Perhaps a testament to its effectiveness, the "perfect use" of a condom verses the typical use are strikingly similar, simply the condom is designed so that there is very little you can do to screw it up.

Page 7: This method really has no restrictions, so long as the user has a penis the condom is a viable contraceptive method. Though because a majority of condoms are made a of latex anyone with a latex allergy should avoid latex condoms. This disadvantage can be retaified by the user buying lambskin condoms, though these are slightly more expenisve.

Page 8: The condom has several advantages notably: availability/low price, ease of use, small size is advantageous for mobile.

Page 9: As with most contraceptives, disadvantages stem from user-error: they are known to break, effectively negating their worth. Also they are susceptible to temperature changes, so if kept in a wallet or car for too long they are liable to weaken and break. Finally, they have something of a numbing quality, deadening sensation during intercourse.

Page 10: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condom http://www.avert.org/condoms.htm http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control/condom-10187.htm

12/16/09 Ultrasound
 * 1) Between four and five weeks into the pregnancy the fetus can be seen on the ultrasound.
 * 2) An ultrasound can be done though due to its non-invasive nature it can be preformed in a doctor’s office.
 * 3) The test is looking to find evidence of a fetus. After confirmation it is used to track the fetus’s development.

CVS Test 1. Between 11 and 12 weeks. 2. This test is invasive and as such can only be done in the controlled setting of a hospital. 3. This test is used to check for genetic defects such as Down syndrome and trisomy 21.

Glucose screening and tolerance test
 * 1) Between 24 and 28 weeks.
 * 2) The relatively simple procedure can be done in either a hospital or doctor’s office.
 * 3) The test is done to check the mother’s blood sugar and see how fast she processes the sugar. This is used to assess whether she is at risk for gestational diabetes.

Group B strep test
 * 1) Between 35 and 37 weeks
 * 2) The test can be done in either a doctor’s office or in a hospital.
 * 3) This test is to see if the mother carries group B streptococcus, if they mother does carry it there is a chance the baby could be infected at birth.

Amniocentesis
 * 1) Between 16 and 20 weeks
 * 2) This can be done at a hospital and requires an ultrasound machine.
 * 3) This is used to test for genetic dysfunctions like Down syndrome.