4.3. Findings of the Study Research Question by Research Question
4.3.1. Research Question One
To what extent are the study participants satisfied or dissatisfied with their use of the BOM as a fertility management method?
A number of themes emerged from different participants’ answers of this question. The themes are highlighted below.
4.3.1.1. Theme One: Satisfied with the Billings Ovulation Method.
Majority of the participants admitted that they were satisfied with their use of BOM.
The following are illustrative responses garnered from participants that corroborate this conclusion.
Zibuko, a female participant stated:
“…I’m satisfied since it has been good on me, you know. Eh… it has not only taught me to know myself physically but it has also promoted the fact that by using it I now eat healthy food, so that I may know with my hormones or when thing like this happen I may understand that this is the time for my ovulation.
I’m very satisfied with it…”
Speaking in the same vein, Venz, a female participant remarked saying:
“…I am very much satisfied; it is safe and requires to focus on writing down.
Yes, for most reasons some I have told you, I’m satisfied with it. Very much happy, it is safe and it requires to focus on writing down what you observed and when it’s safe to use. Yes…”
Zinhle, a female participant, similarly agreed that:
“…Yah, I feel okay with this method, I am very satisfied you know, although my husband will not tag along sometimes. But, the method itself is a wonderful method. Highly safe and I sometimes recommend it to my friends and colleagues at work. They will also think it’s a good way. I used the pills before and I would have problems with, with bleeding and I stopped them using this method; I don’t remember the last time, you know, I was bleeding…”
Similarly, Andreas a male participant noted that:
“…Ah, I wouldn’t complain about this method, I’m okay with it. It’s just that me and my partner we just need to work on our relationship issues...”
These indications confirm that for the majority of the participants in this study, the Billings Ovulation Method is a satisfactory method of fertility management.
4.3.1.2. Mixing the Billings ovulation method with other methods.
Pertaining to satisfaction with the method some participant alluded that, although they are satisfied with the method but they used the method in conjunction with other methods in order to ensure that they don’t get pregnant, when they do not desire to get pregnant.
Zama, a female participant was the first to share this view:
“… I would say I am satisfied, but my satisfaction (.) I wouldn’t know how satisfied I am because sometimes I am having to use the calendar method alongside the Billings ovulation method. Yes, I’m not confident to use the BOM alone because eh… it can be tricky when it comes to checking eh…when its come to checking when you are more fertile and less fertile with the BOM’s method. So that why I’m not confident in using it alone, that why I had to use it with the calendar method…”
Zinhle, a female participant also shared the view that BOM is a good method although she still finds the need to use BOM in combination with another method:
“…it’s a good method shame, I like it. You know how you men are; my husband would want to have sex when we should be avoiding. Already, we have two children and he has two from previous relationships. So we use condoms or sometimes he will ejaculate outside. I can’t risk another baby, we are not ready at the moment. It becomes very risky when your partner want you and you are fertile…”
4.3.1.3 The Billings ovulation method perceived as effective in managing fertility.
From the data collected in the field it is clear that most participants perceive the Billings ovulation method as effective. Many participants mentioned that they were satisfied
with the method because according to them, it was able to help them achieve what they wanted to achieve.
Commenting in this regard:
Zibuko, a female participant who wished to avoid pregnancy by using it attested to the effectiveness of the BOM, when she remarked that:
“…since I’m not pregnant yet, I would say it’s very effective. Since it has taught me to take charge of my body changes and taught me how to learn how my body operates. So it is very effective since… you know, ever since I started using it I’m not pregnant yet...”
Similarly, Zama, a female participant, highlighted that the BOM was effective in two areas for her. According to Zama, the method was effective in terms of conceiving and avoiding pregnancy. In this regard she stated that it was effective for her, as per the following extract:
“…eh… with the avoiding of pregnancy or and with the…when you do want to get pregnant, with the conception of pregnancy, to conceive...”
Venz, a female participant, wanted to get pregnant and shared her perceptions on the effectiveness of the Billings ovulation method; she said she is able to see the signs which BOM’s method teaches:
“…I see when I’m ovulating although I’m not pregnant yet. Two months is not much time to tell but I’m happy that I’m able to see this slippering mucus.
Yes…”
In addition, Mitchel, a female participant, found the method to be very effective since she suspected that she might be pregnant because of the method. She said:
“…eh, getting pregnant. I think it is effective and I missed my periods and I, I’m really pregnant I would be happier about it cos the foundation the family needs children…”
The above extracts are, again, clear in their response to the research question investigated. They show that almost all the female participants agree that they are satisfied with their use of BOM as either a method of achieving pregnancy or for avoiding it. One or two participants, who said they use BOM in combination with
another method, showed that they were satisfied with it even though they want to make sure that they do not become pregnant in making use of only the BOM method.