CHAPTER 8

FAMILY PLANNING

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of this chapter, the students should be able to:

1. Explain the meaning and understanding the objectives of family planning;
And
2. Determine the different methods of family planning.

A womans ability to decide how many children to have and when ,

without interference from the government, is one of the most fundamental rights
we possess. It is not just an issue of choice, but equality and opportunity for all
women.
-President
Obama

OBJECTIVES OF FAMILY PLANNING

Family planning has been defined as the rational, voluntary and

moral management
of all the processes of family life including human
reproduction. The word population is now more than six billion. Based from the
definitions, it could be deduced that the adoption of family planning is based on
the following: first, rationality must be based on the intelligence and sound
reason of an individual who will practice it. Second, voluntary must be radiate
from the actual free-will of the person not enforced or dictated. Lastly, morality
must be stem from the moral conviction of the person to free one from guilt and
conscience.
The objectives of family planning as world based sociological
program carries general purposes and objectives that are all geared towards the
realization of a truly contented family life that is harmonious with the concept of
happiness such as promotion of human dignity, realization of economic stability,
guarantee for the better health and achievement of human happiness. These
objectives, according to expert could only be achieved through birth regulation
and proper spacing of children by the use of accepted scientific method.
Treatment for infertility, family life and sex education, pre-martial guidance and
marriage counseling and pre-natal and post-natal care.
METHODS OF FAMILY PLANNING
NATURAL METHODS
These methods contradict the use of any synthetic or chemical drugs and
devices for family planning. However, to follow this method couples have to be
determined and disciplined. Such methods are described below.
Abstinence. It simply means refraining from sex during the fertile
days of the womans fertility process. Couples who do not want to
have a baby, and ant to avoid taking artificial contraceptives, should
keep away from sexual intercourse during ovulation and after it.
The fertile days can be determined by the following methods.
a. Calendar method. This method requires you to be aware of
your menstrual cycle. Day one of your period is the first day of
the cycle. Counting from 1 day, mark day 8 in your calendar and
move forward to day 19. The days from 8 to day 19 are the
most fertile days, hence, sexual activities during these days
should be completely avoided. All the other days pose less risk
of conceiving
b. Basal body temperature. Women who have irregular periods
can be benefit from this method. It require a basal thermometer
that can be record even a slight change in the temperature.
After your periods end, measure your body temperature orally
every morning, at the same time, and record it. You will notice

that the temperatures recorded each day are pretty consistent

until you start ovulating. The day you ovulate, there will be a
sudden increase in the temperature indicating high fertile period.
You should abstain from intercourse till the temperature drops
down to your normal body temperature as before ovulation.
c. Cervical mucus. The color (white, yellow), consistency (thick,
sticky), and the feel (dry, wet) of cervical mucus can help in
determining the safe and unsafe days of to have sex. Examine
your discharges, and if you notice it to be white, stretchy, or
wet, it indicates your ovulation phase. During this phase sex
should be avoided.
d. Withdrawal method (Coitus Interruptus). Popularly known
as the withdrawal or pull out method, this is another way of
practicing birth control. During sexual intercourse if the man
pulls out his penis just before ejaculating, he can prevent any
sperm from entering the womans vagina. However, this is not a
foolproof method, as the fluid which is secreted before
ejaculation also contains sperm, and are sufficient to fertilize an
ovum.
These natural methods have no side effects, and practically
cost nothing. However, it is not the safest method of birth
control the calendar method, basal body temperature, and
cervical mucus method can prove to be inefficient due to various
physical and environmental factors such as ill health, drugs,
smoking, alcohol abuse, pollution, etc. also, withdrawal may
become quite cumbersome for a man while engaged in sexual
activity.

ARTIFICIAL METHODS
These methods employ various products and devices that are used to
avoid pregnancy, and in some cases STDs nad HIV. Some of these are listed
below.

1. Physical Barriers. This method prevents the sperm from coming in

contact with the egg, which in turn prevents its fertilization. Various
products and contraceptive devices that are available in the market,
and are safe to use are mentioned below.

a. Condoms. These are the most commonly used devices to minimize

the chances of pregnancey. Male condoms are used to cover an
erect penis during sexuala intercourse. This holds the ejaculate,
preventing it from entering the vagina. Now female condoms are
available in the market. These are inrted in the vagina which is held
in position during the intercourse. Along with birth control, a
condom also helps in preventing sexually trasmitted diseases like
syphilis, gonorrhea, etc. There have been cases where condoms
have failed to avoid pregnancies, but this mostly due to defective
ones or incorrect use of the condom. Possible side effects: Allergic
reaction, irritatiom, etc.
b. Diaphragm. These are dome-shaped cups made of either silicon or
latex. These cups have flexible rims which are inserted into the
vagina for blocking the sperms from uniting with the egg. A
spermicide is applied to these cups that reduce the movement of
sperms considerably. Possible side effects: Toxic shock, urinary tract
infection, allergy and irritatiom (due to spermicide).
c. Impantable Rods. These are commonly known as Implanon
(brand name). They are small rod-shaped devices implanted under
the skin of the upper arm. Theye work by realeasing synthetic
progesterone, progestin that thickens the cervical mucus. This
hinders sperm movement making it impossible to unite with an egg.
Possible side effects: Ovarian cyst, weight gain, depression, acne,
mood swings, sore breasts.
d. Intrauterine Device(IUD). The IUD is a small T-shaped device
which is inserted into a womans uterus. It is a convenient, safe,
and reversible method which does not require a daily routine. It is
basically of two copper ions in small amounts into the uterus.
Hormonal IUD works by releasing progestion into the uterus. Both
the released copper and pregstin block the union of sperms with an
egg. Normally once it is inserted, it stays in place for 5 to 10 years
and inhibits the entry of sperms into the inner recesses of the
vagina, and prevents fertilization as well. It should be inserted and
removed (when pregnancy is desire) by a qualified medical
practitioner to avoid complications. Possible side effects: Excessive
bleeding, cramps, inflammation of pelvis.

e. Birth Control Sponges. These are inserted deep into the vagina
for effective inhibition of joining of sperms with an egg. It is small
round-shaped foam that releases spermicide, restrictiong the
movement of sperms. It has a nylon strap for its easy removal.
Today Sponge is the brand that is availabe in the United States.
Possible side effectes are toxic shock, allergic reaction, irritation.
f. Contraceptive Patch. This is a small, thin transdermal patch made
of plastioc which when placed on the skin releases estrogen and
progestin. These hormones stop ovulation, hence the egg does not
leave the ovaries for fertilization. It also tends to make the cervical
mucus thicker, thus inhibiting sperm motility. It should be placed on
the upper arms, buttocks, thighs, or abdomen. It is usually put on
the first day of periods and kept in place for a week. Exactly on the
seventh day(second week), the patch is replaced by another, and
again by a new patch on the third week. The fourth week is the
parch-free week and this process is repeated again. Possible side
effects are weight gain, dizziness, irregular periods, depresson,
mood swings.
g. Vaginal Ring. It is a contraceptive ring that is inserted into the
vagina. It releases certain hormones that prevent the egg to be
released from the ovaries. It also restricts the movement of sperms
by making the cervical mucus thicker. Possible side effects are
vaginal swelling, allergic reaction, mood swings, blood clots,
depression.
h. Birth Control and Emergency Pills. Birth control and emergency
pills also known as oral contraceptives, stop the development of the
egg, and also helps in the thickening of the cervical mucus in the
uterus, thus restricting the passage of sperms of the egg. This can
be an effective method if the pills are taken regularly, and in the
correct manner. If they do not work out, another way of precluding
pregnancy is to take emergency contraceptive pills to reduce her
chances of getting pregnant. Possible side effects are high blood
pressure,
i.

abdominal

paon,

irregular

periods,

mood

swings,

depression, weight gain, blood clots and bleeding between periods.

Hormonal Medicament. Hormonal shots are given every three
months. This essentially consists of progestion hormone that blocks

the joining of sperms with an egg. It also prevents the entry of the
egg into the uterus. These injections are usually given on the
buttocks or upper arms. Possible side effects are bone density loss
(long-term use), weight gain, mood swings, headache, sore breasts
and bleeding between periods.

2. Surgical Method. Sterilization is a permanent surgical procedure, to

avoid future pregnancies. It is a method of birth control suited for
couples who do not want to have any more children, or couples who do
now want to have any more childeren, or couples who do not want to
have a childe. Vasectomy (blocks the tube carrying sperms) is the
procedure for men and tubectomy or tubal ligation (blocks the fallopian
tube that releases the egg into the uterus) for women. It is by far the
safest and most effective method of pregnancy control. Though
irreversible. Possbible side effects are pain, bleeding and other
complications after surgery, ectopic surgery.
Thus, benefits of artificial methods of family planning have a higher
succes rate than the rhythm method, in which a woman tracks her
ovulation by taking her temperature. Natural family planning has a
success rate of 78% to 88% percent. Howeverm results of these
methods vary from person to person, hence it is important to talk and
discuss the matter with your gynecologist and gather accurate
information about all the contraception options. It is important that
you learn about the possible side effects and effectiveness of family
planning products before choosing one for yourself.
Awareness is the key to achieving successful family planning. A
well-planned

family

experiences

better

financial

and

emotional

security. In such a scenario, every child born is a wanted child, and the
parents are in a position to nurture their children in the bes possbile
manner. There are few things you can do to spread information about
the merits of family planning in your neighborhood. These are enlisted
below.

Note: the information provided is solely for educationg the readers. It

is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.