Family Planning
What is Family Planning?
Avoiding having a baby (using contraceptive methods) is not considered to be family planning. Rather, family planning involves planning at a desirable point in your life on having a child that you will love and cherish.
How many children?
Figure out a family plan that takes into account your family's particulars
including your current family situation, age of the parents, health condition
and income.
When to have a child?
Whilst it is most desirable from the point of view of the health of both
mother and child, to give birth during one's twenties to mid-thirties,
the reality of modern day life is that the age of childbirth is currently
increasing progressively. In this respect, maintaining one's health and
continually being aware of one's health condition on a daily basis is an
important condition of working towards pregnancy and childbirth.
Take into consideration the mother’s state of recovery of health after the birth of the first child. As you will be faced with the job of raising the first child, leaving a reasonable amount of time to ensure the mother’s bodily condition is at its best before planning on having another child.
Take into consideration the mother’s state of recovery of health after the birth of the first child. As you will be faced with the job of raising the first child, leaving a reasonable amount of time to ensure the mother’s bodily condition is at its best before planning on having another child.
Finances
Having a child without any prior financial preparation can be very difficult.
It is essential to gradually prepare for childbirth, and ensure hospital
and childbirth expenses.
Cautions following childbirth
Sexual activity should only be resumed following the check-up one-month
after childbirth. There are cases where pregnancy occurs during the first
ovulation following childbirth, without having yet experienced one menstrual
period. It is therefore important to take contraceptive precautions when
engaging in sexual activity following childbirth.
Birth Control Measures (Various Contraceptive Methods)
Exactly what kind of contraceptive methods are available, and which method should be used at what time? Unfortunately there is no contraceptive method that is one-hundred percent safe, long lasting, cheap, easy to use, harmless, non-numbing of sexual sensation, and that allows the female to take charge in using the contraceptive. However, finding a contraceptive that fulfills as many of the above conditions as possible, and at the same time suits the couple in question, is essential. Finding a method of your own accord that enables your family to lead a happy life is very important.
(1)The Pill
The Pill is the common name for oral contraception. There are two basic
types - combination pills and progestin-only pills. Both are made of hormones
like those made by a woman's ovaries. Both kinds of pills require a medical
evaluation and prescription. It is important to undergo regular medical
examinations and follow the advice of your doctor on the use of this form
of birth control.
| Merits | Demerits |
|---|---|
| ○Female controlled form of birth control. ○The Pill is one of the most effective oral methods of birth control. |
×Must be orally ingested on a daily basis. ×Some temporary side effects (bleeding between periods & nausea). ×Cannot be used by some people – depending on physical condition, age and illness |
(2)The IUD Intrauterine Device
An IUD is a small plastic device which has copper wire around its stem.
It is placed inside the uterus (womb) to prevent pregnancy. A doctor should
insert the IUD, and it is necessary to have regular check-ups.
| Merits | Demerits |
|---|---|
| ○Female controlled form of birth control ○The IUD is a very effective form of birth control ○Protection against pregnancy for a long period of time |
×Heavier and more painful periods, stomach aches and bleeding ×Not suited for those with little birth experience |
(3)Condoms
Condoms, which should be placed on an erect penis, can prevent your partner's
body fluids (blood, semen or vaginal fluids) from entering your body and
vice versa. Condoms can be used after childbirth, regardless of the existence
of a menstrual period.
| Merits | Demerits |
|---|---|
| ○Easy to obtain ○Reduces the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) ○No need to worry about side effects |
×Requires the male’s cooperation ×High risk of pregnancy if not used correctly |
(4)Female Condoms
A female condom is a thin, loose-fitting and flexible plastic tube worn
inside the vagina. A female condom provides a barrier between partners
to prevent sharing bodily fluids like semen (blood, or saliva).
| Merits | Demerits |
|---|---|
| ○Female controlled form of birth control ○Reduces the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) |
×If used incorrectly, there is a chance that the female condom could break
or slip during sex allowing semen to enter the uterus × Sometimes difficult to insert or use meaning insertion practice is necessary |
(5)Pessary
A pessary is a device similar to the outer ring of a diaphragm that is
placed in the vagina to help reposition and support the uterus to prevent
semen from entering. Pessaries must usually be fit by a physician and require
medical advice as to the method of use.
| Merits | Demerits |
|---|---|
| ○Female controlled form of birth control ○No need to worry about side effects ○The pessary is economical and can be used |
× Your doctor will need to decide which type of pessary you should use
and has to be fit properly. ×Insertion practice is necessary |
(6)Other / Auxiliary Methods Spermicides
Spermicides can come in various forms including tablets and jelly etc.
Spermicides are, in general, relatively unreliable and therefore not recommended
for use on their own as the only method of contraception. They are usually
used in conjunction with barrier methods such as the condom or the diaphragm.
(7)Basal Body Temperature Method & Calendar / Rhythm Method (Ogino)
Basal Body Temperature Method
This method involves measuring the female’s body temperature in the morning on a daily basis and recording the temperature. After ovulation, the basal body temperature (BBT) rises and remains elevated until the start of the next menstruation. According to the BBT technique, this rise in temperature, sustained for three consecutive days, indicates that ovulation has occurred. During this period, condoms should be used as a contraceptive.This method should not be used for a period of time after childbirth, and also by those whose temperature cannot be effectively measured.
Calendar/Rhythm Method (Ogino)
Proper use of this method involves numerical calculations based on the length of the previous menstrual cycles to predict the first and last fertile day in future menstrual cycles. It relies on retrospective information, which has limited accuracy, unless the length of 12 or more cycles has been accurately recorded.Cannot be used when periods are irregular, when the female is breast-feeding and when ill.
(8)Tubal Steralization
Tubal sterilization is a surgical operation that closes off the fallopian
tubes in females, where eggs are fertilized by sperm. When the tubes in
females are closed, sperm cannot reach the egg, and pregnancy cannot occur.
A vasectomy, which closes off the sperm making tube in males, is also an
option for partners. Sterilization is a very difficult operation to reverse
meaning even if you decided you would like children later in life, this
may not be possible.
Even if you become pregnant when you don't desire, it is not recommended to consider an abortion as an easy way out. Abortion operations have a large number of side effects from directly affecting a potential new life, to becoming infertile or recurrent fetal loss. Abortions also lead to a great deal of mental stress.
Therefore, in order to practice effective birth control:
- Use a combination of 2-3 types of birth control methods.
- Taking into account each other’s situation, try and decide on a method that suits you as a couple.
- Understand the workings of the human genitals and birth control devices, and use them correctly. Ensure you obtain advise from doctors or midwives and put into practice their advices.
For consultation on family planning and birth control please visit the Family Planning Office of the Maternal and Child Healthcare Center.
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