This fear is not well founded. The maternal instinct is inherent and sovereign in woman. Even the pre-natal influences of a murderous intent on the part of parents scarcely ever eradicate it.
With this natural desire for children, we believe few women would abuse the knowledge or privilege of controlling conception. Although women shrink from forced maternity, and from the bearing of children under the great burden of suffering, as well as other adverse conditions, it is rare to find a woman who is not greatly disappointed if she does not, some time in her life, wear the crown of motherhood.
An eminent lady teacher, in talking to her pupils, once said: “The greatest calamity that can befall a woman is never to have a child. The next greatest calamity is to have one only.” From my professional experience I am happy to testify that more women seek to overcome causes of sterility than to obtain knowledge of limiting the size of the family, or means to destroy the embryo. Also, if consultation for the latter purpose is sought, it is usually at the instigation of the husband.
Believing in the rights of unborn children, and in the maternal instinct, I am consequently convinced that no knowledge should be withheld that will secure proper conditions for the best parenthood.
Many of our advanced physiologists and philanthropists teach that the law of continence should be the law to govern married people in the sexual relation. (See [page 157].) However, if a woman is not convinced of the truth of this theory, or is practically unable to accord her life to it, we would suggest to her the study of the physiological laws of ovulation.
Conception can take place any time after ovulation until the ovum passes from the uterus. The time of viability is from two to fourteen days. The balance of the month conception cannot ordinarily take place.
Sterile women desiring offspring should seek sexual union soon after the appearance of the menses. Those not desiring offspring should avoid copulation until the ovum has passed the generative tract.
Married people, in normal health, temperate in the sexual relation, desirous of controlling the size of their family, can usually depend upon this law.
Can conception possibly take place after sufficient time has elapsed for the ovum to have left the uterus? Dr. Cowan says: “Sexual excitement hastens the premature ripening and meeting of the germ-cell with the sperm-cell, and impregnation may result, although intercourse occurs only in the specified two weeks’ absence of the egg from the uterus.”
Possibly this may be the case under some circumstances, such as diseased conditions, or after long separation of husband and wife. It is, however, of rare occurrence, where one’s life is governed by moderation, and the act is mutual.