Male condom
A male condom is a thin sheath placed over an erect penis to keep sperm from entering a woman’s body. Condoms can be made of latex, polyurethane, or “natural lambskin.” The natural kind do not protect against STIs. Condoms work best when used with a vaginal spermicide, which kills the sperm. You need to use a new condom with each sex act.
HORMONAL METHODS—PREVENT PREGNANCY BY INTERFERING WITH OVULATION, FERTILIZATION, AND/OR IMPLANTATION OF THE FERTILIZED EGG
Oral contraceptives—combined pill (“the pill”)
The pill contains the hormones estrogen and progestin. It is taken daily to keep the ovaries from releasing an egg. The pill also causes changes in the lining of the uterus and the cervical mucus to keep the sperm from joining the egg.
Many types of oral contraceptives are available. Talk with your doctor about which is best for you.
The patch
Also called by its brand name, Ortho Evra, this skin patch is worn on the lower abdomen, buttocks, outer arm, or upper body. It releases the hormones progestin and estrogen into the bloodstream to stop the ovaries from releasing eggs in most women. It also thickens the cervical mucus, which keeps the sperm from joining with the egg. You put on a new patch once a week for three weeks. The fourth week you don’t use a patch in order to have a period.
Shot/injection
The birth control shot often is called by its brand name, Depo-Provera. With this method you get injections, or shots, of the hormone progestin in the buttocks or arm every three months. A new type is injected under the skin. The birth control shot stops the ovaries from releasing an egg in most women. It also causes changes in the cervix that keep the sperm from joining with the egg. The shot should not be used more than two years in a row because it can cause a temporary loss of bone density.
Vaginal ring
This is a thin, flexible ring that releases the hormones progestin and estrogen. It works by stopping the ovaries from releasing eggs. It also thickens the cervical mucus, which keeps the sperm from joining the egg. It is commonly referred to by its brand name, NuvaRing. You squeeze the ring between your thumb and index finger and insert it into your vagina. You wear the ring for three weeks, take it out for the week that you have your period, and then put in a new ring.
IMPLANTABLE DEVICES—DEVICES THAT ARE INSERTED INTO THE BODY AND LEFT IN PLACE FOR A FEW YEARS
Implantable rod
This is a matchstick-sized, flexible rod that is put under the skin of the upper arm. It is often called by its brand name, Implanon. The rod releases progestin, which causes changes in the lining of the uterus and the cervical mucus to keep the sperm from joining an egg. Less often, it stops the ovaries from releasing eggs. It is effective for up to three years.
Intrauterine devices or IUDs
An IUD is a small device shaped like a T that goes in your uterus. There are two types:
• Copper IUD—The copper IUD goes by the brand name ParaGard. It releases a small amount of copper into the uterus, which prevents the sperm from reaching and fertilizing the egg. If fertilization does occur, the IUD keeps the fertilized egg from implanting in the lining of the uterus. A doctor needs to put in your copper IUD. It can stay in your uterus for five to ten years.
• Hormonal IUD—The hormonal IUD goes by the brand name Mirena. It is sometimes called an “intrauterine system,” or IUS. It releases progestin into the uterus, which keeps the ovaries from releasing an egg and causes the cervical mucus to thicken so sperm can’t reach the egg. It also affects the ability of a fertilized egg to successfully implant in the uterus. A doctor needs to put in a hormonal IUD. It can stay in your uterus for up to five years.
PERMANENT BIRTH CONTROL METHODS—FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE SURE THEY NEVER WANT TO HAVE A CHILD OR DO NOT WANT MORE CHILDREN
Sterilization implant (Essure)
Essure is the first non-surgical method of sterilizing women. A thin tube is used to thread a tiny spring-like device through the vagina and uterus into each fallopian tube. The device works by causing scar tissue to form around the coil. This blocks the fallopian tubes and stops the egg and sperm from joining. It can take about three months for the scar tissue to grow, so it’s important to use another form of birth control during this time. Then you will have to return to your doctor for a test to see if scar tissue has fully blocked your tubes.
Surgical sterilization
For women, surgical sterilization closes the fallopian tubes by cutting, tying, or sealing them. This stops the eggs from going down to the uterus where they can be fertilized. The surgery can be done a number of ways. Sometimes, a woman having cesarean birth has the procedure done at the same time, so as to avoid having additional surgery later.
For men, having a vasectomy keeps sperm from going to his penis, so his ejaculate never has any sperm in it. Sperm stays in the system after surgery for about three months. During that time, use a backup form of birth control to prevent pregnancy. A simple test can be done to check if all the sperm is gone; it is called a “semen analysis.”
EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION—USED IF A WOMAN’S PRIMARY METHOD OF BIRTH CONTROL FAILS. IT SHOULD NOT BE USED AS A REGULAR METHOD OF BIRTH CONTROL.
Plan B One-Step or Next Choice. It is also called “the morning after pill.”
Emergency contraception keeps a woman from getting pregnant when she has had unprotected vaginal intercourse. Emergency contraception can be taken as a single pill treatment or in two doses. A single dose treatment works as well as two doses and does not have more side effects. It works by stopping the ovaries from releasing an egg or keeping the sperm from joining with the egg. For the best chances for it to work, take the pill as soon as possible after unprotected sex. It should be taken within seventy-two hours after having unprotected sex. A single-pill dose or two-pill dose of emergency contraception is available over-the-counter (OTC) for women ages seventeen and older.
All birth control methods work best if used correctly and every time you have sex. Be sure you know the right way to use them. Sometimes doctors don’t explain how to use a method because they assume you already know. Talk with your doctor if you have questions. They are used to talking about birth control. For more information about birth control methods, call womens+health.+gov at 800-994-9662 (TDD: 888-220-5446) or contact the following organizations:
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Phone: 800-762-2264 × 349 (for publications requests only)
• Food and Drug Administration
Phone: 888-463-6332
• Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Phone: 800-230-7526
• Population Council
Phone: 212-339-0500*
Adoption Types†
There are four basic types of adoption:
• public agency adoption
• domestic private agency adoption
• international adoption
• independent adoption
As the chart below shows, requirements, costs, and timing vary between and within the different types of adoption. To decide which is best for you, think seriously about the type of child you would like to adopt (for example, an infant, an older child or group of siblings, a child from another country, a child who has special needs, etc.).
Type of Adoption
Public agency adoption
Definition
an adoption directed and supervised by a state or local Department of Human Services (or Social Services, or Human Resources, or Health and Welfare, or Child and Family Services, etc.)
Children Available
children with special needs (kids who are harder to place due to emotional or physical disorders, age, race, membership in a sibling group, backgrounds); rarely infants
Approximate Cost
from $0 to $2,500 (depending on the state, up to $2,000 of “nonrecurring” adoption costs for eligible special needs children may be reimbursed)
Who Can Adopt
fl
exible eligibility requirements for adoptive parents; on a case-by-case basis, will consider single parents, parents over the age of forty, parents who have other children, parents with low incomes, etc.
How Long It Takes
starts slowly, but for those who have an updated home study, placement can occur as soon as a few months after selecting a child
Type of Adoption
Private agency adoption
Definition
an adoption directed and supervised by a privately funded, licensed adoption agency
Children Available
sometimes handle special needs children; more commonly associated with younger children and infants
Approximate Cost
$5,000 to $40,000; lower for special needs children; some agencies have sliding fee scales
Who Can Adopt
agencies may recruit parents based on race, religious affiliation, etc.; for infant adoptions, birth mother often chooses
How Long It Takes
a few months to a few years (sometimes longer for infant adoption)
Type of Adoption
International adoption
(not legal in all states; also known as “private adoption”)
Definition
process of adopting a child who is not a U.S. citizen, which may be accomplished privately through an attorney or through an international adoption agency
Children Available
nearly seventy countries allow their children to be adopted by U.S. citizens; ages range from infants to teens; health conditions vary
Approximate Cost
$15,000 to $30,000 (varies by country; travel and travel-related expenses may be additional)
Who Can Adopt
depends on agency and country requirements; some countries will accept single parents; most prospective parents are between ages twenty-five and forty-five
How Long It Takes
six months to several years depending on the child’s age and health and the country’s political climate
Type of Adoption
Independent adoption
Definition
an adoption initiated by prospective parents and completed with help from an attorney or adoption counselor
Children Available
generally infants
Approximate Cost
$8,000 to $40,000+ (includes prospective parents’ cost of finding a birth mother, certain birth mother expenses, and attorney’s fees)
Who Can Adopt
birth mothers typically choose the adoptive parent—preferences tend to run toward younger, affluent, married couples
How Long It Takes
varies; as long as it takes to find a birth mother who will see the process through to finalization
Agencies Specializing in African American Adoptions
African American Adoption Agency
2356 University Ave. W
St. Paul, MN 55114-1850
888-840-4084 or 651-659-0460
afadopt@afadopt.org
www.+afadopt.+org
African American Adoptions, Inc.
8471 Canyon Oak Drive
Springfield, VA 22153
703-829-5641
www.+aaadoptions.+org
Another Choice for Black Children, Inc.
2340 Beatties Ford Road
Charlotte, NC 28216
800-774-3534 or 704-394-1124
info@acfbc.org
www.+acfbc.+org
Ardythe and Gale Sayers Center for African American Adoption
2049 Ridge Ave.
Evanston, IL 60201
847-733-3209
www.+cradle.+org/+adoption-+agency/+adopt_+aa.+html
The Black Adoption Placement and Research Center
2332 Merced St.
San Leandro, CA 94577
510-430-3600
family@baprc.org
www.+baprc.+org
Black Adoption Services Three Rivers Adoption Council
307 Fourth Ave., Ste. 310
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412-471-8722
www.+3rivers+adopt.+org
Children’s Bureau, Inc.
615 N. Alabama St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-264-2700
www.+childrens+bureau.+org
Dallas Minority Adoption Council
P.O. Box 764058
Dallas, TX 75376-4058
214-371-5280
rosepo@baylorhealth.edu
Dunbar Association, Inc.
1453 S. State St.
Syracuse, NY 13205
315-476-4269
www.+dunbarassociation.+org/
Families First
1105 W. Peachtree St., NE
P.O. Box 7948, Stn. C
Atlanta, GA 30357-0948
404-853-2800
www.+families+first.+org
Family Matters of Greater Washington, D.C.
1509 16th St. NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-289-1510
http://+family+mattersdc.+org/
Harlem Dowling-West Side Center
2090 Adam Clayton
Powell Jr. Blvd.
New York, NY 10027
212-749-3656
www.+harlem+dowling.+org
Homes for Black Children
511 E. Larned St.
Detroit, MI 48226
313-961-4777
www.+homes4+black+children.+org
Institute for Black Parenting
1299 E. Artesia Blvd.
Carson, CA 90746
877-367-8858 or 310-900-0930
www.+blackparenting.+org/+services.+html
Institute for Family & Child Well-Being
P.O. Box 7845
Upper Marlboro, MD 20792
info@familyandchildwellbeing.com
www.+familyand+child+wellbeing.+com
Minority Adoption Program Child Saving Institute
4545 Dodge St.
Omaha, NE 68132
402-553-6000 or 866-400-4274
csiinfo@childsaving.org
www.+child+saving.+org
Mississippi Families for Kids
407 Briarwood Drive, Ste. 209
Jackson, MS 39206
601-957-7670
www.+mffk.+org
National Network of Adoption Advocacy Programs (NNAAP)
5601 Chamberlayne Road
Richmond, VA 23227
804-377-1627
The New York Chapter Association of Black Social Workers’ Child Adoption Counseling and Referral Service
1969 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10035
212-831-5181
abswnyc@aol.com
New York Council on Adoptable Children
589 Eighth Ave., 15th Fl.
New York, NY 10018
212-475-0222
www.+coac.+org
One Church One Child of North/North Central Texas
2860 Evans Ave.
Fort Worth, TX 76104
866-42-ADOPT (866-422-3678)
ococdfw@aol.com
Rejoice! Inc.
1820 Linglestown Rd.
Harrisburg, PA 17110
717-221-0722
www.+rejoice-+inc.+org
Tabor Children’s Services
57 E. Armat St.
Philadelphia, PA 19144
215-842-4800
www.+tabor.+org
Women’s Christian Alliance
1722 Cecil B. Moore Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19121-3405
215-236-9911
www.+wcafamily.+org
* Source: All of the birth control information in the preceding pages was reprinted from womens+health.+gov, a federal government website managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.
† Note: It is also possible to adopt children by first becoming a foster parent; many children who have
special needs are adopted by their foster parents. Drawback: There is no guarantee that foster parents will be able to adopt either the child in their care or any other child. Most children in foster care return to their birth families, and some are placed in the custody of relatives or adopted by parents the agency feels are best able to meet the child’s particular needs. Advantages: Children who enter foster care are, on average, younger than children who become legally free for adoption after spending years in care. In addition, parents who take in foster children have time to get fully acquainted with a child before committing to adoption. The more parents know about a child, the better their chances are for a successful adoption.
Source: North American Council on Adoptable Children, 970 Raymond Ave., Suite 106, St. Paul, MN 55114, 651-644-3036, www.+nacac.+org. For a more comprehensive list of adoption agencies, go to: www.+child+welfare.+gov/+nfcad/.
7
CLUBBING
Beep. Beep. Beep.… I’d just about drifted off to sleep one night in late spring 2001 when the sound of my pager startled me. Instinctively, I jumped off the cot in the resident call room, the tiny quarters where young doctors can rest, and slid into my sneakers. I glanced down at the small electronic screen to find out what awaited me two flights down: a combative twenty-three-year-old male, gunshot wound to the abdomen, arriving in five minutes.
Living and Dying in Brick City Page 11