Happy 4th of July – this holiday is a day to reflect upon the birth of our nation (luckily, there wasn’t a contraceptive to prevent this from happening)! It is also a day where US citizens should stand tall and proud of their country and what it stands for. After all, America’s birthday is about independence.

Part of the responsibility that comes along with this freedom is our independence to make personal reproductive choices about sex, our bodies, and birth control. We have the amazing liberty to choose between a huge array of contraceptive choices. So, on this 4th of July holiday, I am asking you that, just as you may be sorting out which firework to light off first, you should also be sorting out which birth control method you can exercise your independence in using. I realize, though, that deciding upon a method can be a hard decision and a very personal one at that. To help you out, here are some factors and questions to consider when choosing the best birth control method for you.

Amongst the celebrating, parades, and Independence Day parties, you may find that some of the fireworks follow into the bedroom. Just as there are safety precautions that one should take when using fireworks, you, too, have a powerful arsenal at your disposal in case the sparks kept flying (and contraception was not part of the fanfare). It is not too late to take steps to reduce the chances of a potential unplanned pregnancy.

Many people may be aware of Plan B (the morning after pill) but do not use it because they think it's too late. Emergency contraception is available over the counter and can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex. So, once that the flames have cooled down, its not to late to protect yourself and take advantage of one of the personal liberties we are so lucky to have.

If, 9 months from now, you only want the 4th of July to be reminiscent of our founding fathers and the birth of our nation, and you do not want to be adding a new father or birth to the nation, then learn about the steps that can be taken to help prevent this from taking place.

_{Fireworks Photo Courtesy of Microsoft Online}

Yesterday, in Lansing, MI, State Rep. Rebekah Warren and State Sen. Gilda Jacobs introduced a series of bills that, they say, will address alarming state statistics showing that 1 in 4 teens has a STD, and the state has an unacceptable number of unplanned pregnancies.

The comprehensive set of 15 bills address sex education, dispensing of prescriptions, regulation of crisis pregnancy centers, and access to emergency contraception for victims of criminal sexual conduct or rape.

One of bills seeks to amend the state public schools code to mandate abstinence-plus education. Presently, Michigan only allows abstinence-only education (even though studies have shown these programs don't work and can even lead to more instances of STDs and unplanned pregnancies because youth don't have the tools to address these situations). According to Jacobs, the teens need good sex education.

Bill, H.B. 822, would mandate that facilities providing emergency and urgent care for rape victims make emergency contraception available as well as mandate counseling and access to antiretroviral medications for rape victims as well. Part of this legislation (H.B. 2358) would also mandate that pharmacists dispense medications prescribed by a doctor. Current federal rules allow pharmacists to refuse to participate in medical treatments they find morally or ethically offensive. This new bill specifically states that pharmacists cannot refuse to dispense or transfer prescriptions based on ethical, moral or religious beliefs. Warren states, "We don't think a pharmacist should sit in judgment on a prescription a doctor has prescribed and that is in their patient's best interests."

Finally, H.B. 2472 would create a new law to regulate crisis pregnancy centers; it mandates that such centers must provide medically accurate and objective information about the wide range of options available to women facing unintended pregnancies, including abortion services; require that such clinics post notices to clients when the organization does not employee licensed medical professionals nor provide information about abortions or birth control; and ensure distribution of specific educational literature provided by the Michigan Department of Community Health. If passed, this legislation would allow clients to sue crisis pregnancy centers for damages if a group violates the act.

Warren explained that these organizations have been found to be providing false information in the past, and its a problem seen elsewhere in the country. "From our perspective, we really want women to know when they're walking in that they are getting unbiased information, they're getting true information, they're getting medically accurate information," Warren said. "We wouldn't let people do fraudulent advertising in lots of other places in the state, and we just want that same courtesy when it comes to women's reproductive health."

_{Photo Courtesy of Microsoft Office}

So, to throw a bit of a curve ball out from my usual contraception information, I wanted to take a moment to introduce you to the dental dam. No, I am not implying that you are due for your latest dental check-up; however, this is a nifty little device to have around. Although it provides NO birth control protection (meaning, it won’t stop you from getting pregnant), it very well may save you from getting an STD during oral-vaginal sex or some sort of parasite if you are engaging in oral-anal sex (rimming).

The bad news (yep, there’s usually a catch): dental dams can sometimes be hard to find and can be somewhat expensive. But, there is some good news -- you can easily make dental dams at home with a condom and a pair of scissors.

• All You Need to Know About Dental Dams
• Why Use Contraception? (Sorry, I had to slip this one in)

_{Photo Courtesy of George Doyle/Getty Images}

Okay, so you want to buy some condoms… no big deal, right? Sure, until you get the store and realize that there are about a gazillion types, brands and styles to chose from! Yep, you could stumble upon rows and rows of condom types….ribbed for her pleasure, form-fitting, lubricated, textured, warming, tingling, spiral (and the list goes on and on)!

Although most condoms can help protect against sexually transmitted infections and reduce the risk of pregnancy, they are not all are made the same, and some even have different purposes. Should you just go with plain 'ole latex condoms (tried and true)? Maybe yes, maybe no. Even so, latex condoms come in a variety of types of styles.

With so many kinds of condom types to choose from, what’s a person to do? Well, for starters, there are some important factors to think about, so use the following guide to help you in buying the condoms that will best suit your needs.

• Before You Buy Condoms

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"Love Condoms" Photo © 2009 Dawn Stacey