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Philippines?
Family planning in the Philippines is a relatively new development in this predominantly Catholic
country. Because of heavily entrenched Catholic beliefs, family planning--the idea that women get
pregnant when they want to--has had many detractors. However, there is now an increasing number of
advocates preaching the benefits of family planning and urging the government to implement family
planning policies.
History
1. The Catholic church's influence in the Philippines has prevented many from seeking family
planning advice and methods. Since the late 1970s, the population in the Philippines has doubled.
Since 2001, the population has jumped from 77 million to 90 million, according to the Wall
Street Journal. If access to family planning does not increase, says Population Action
International, the population is expected to rise to 170 million in the next 30 years. Today,
advocates are reaching out to the government to educate the public about family planning and
implement family planning programs. Along with the economic benefits of family planning, it
also reduces maternal deaths, enables women to work outside the home and socialize with others.
Economic Benefits
2. The Philippines, which is already experiencing a serious rice shortage, would be able to decrease
its dependence on foreign imports such as rice with fewer mouths to feed. Additionally, the
Philippine government would be able to save millions in state revenue that would otherwise go
toward addressing unintended pregnancies. The government spends 8.2 billion Philippine pesos
in medical care for unintended pregnancies. If family planning were put in effect, it would only
spend 0.6 billion Philippine pesos on unintended pregnancies and 4 billion on contraceptive
services and supplies. That is a savings of almost 4 billion Philippine pesos.
Work Benefits
4. According to Family Health International, family planning users are more likely to work than
non-users because it gives women the time to seek work opportunities outside the home. Women
in the Philippines have said that larger family size increase their household responsibilities and
make them unable to seek paid work. More children also require more income, thus a vicious
cycle is formed. Filipina women said they need more money to care for their children, but more
children prevent them from seeking work opportunities. Family planning provides a solution to
both issues.
Social Benefits
5. Women in the Philippines who use family planning are more likely to join community activities,
religious organizations and take part in community projects, the Family Health Organization says.
Filipina women say these activities enabled them to socialize, interact with peers and generally
raised their self-esteem. Family planning also increased their status at home, with many Filipina
women saying they are equal decision-makers, enabling them to work and travel outside their
communities.
Function
2. The purpose of family planning is to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. Barrier methods of birth
control block sperm from reaching the egg, preventing fertilization. Male condoms prevent sperm
from even touching the vagina. Oral contraceptives release synthetic hormones that either stop
ovulation or create a cervical mucous barrier that sperm can’t penetrate. Patches, shots, rings and
implants work the same way but use different ways of ingesting the hormones. An IUD creates a
hostile environment for sperm, and emergency contraceptive pills interfere with an egg's
development. Natural family planning is achieved by avoiding intercourse on a woman's fertile
days. This can be calculated by tracking vaginal discharge or body temperature.
Effects
3. Side effects may be common with methods of birth control containing hormones. Certain oral
contraceptives may cause bloating, weight gain and increased risk of blood clots. Emergency
contraceptive pills may cause nausea, vomiting or ectopic pregnancy, and may affect the duration
of the next menstrual cycle. Male and female sterilization are permanent methods of birth control
but neither negatively affect the body.
Benefits
4. Besides protecting against unwanted pregnancy, condoms, spermicides and cervical caps may
decrease risk of catching a sexually transmitted disease. Many methods of family planning are
effective in preventing unwanted pregnancy. Hormone shots, female and male sterilization, IUDs,
hormone implants and rings are more than 98 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. Natural
family planning can be effective, but you have to be diligent about tracking the menstrual cycle.
Considerations
5. It can be difficult to choose the right method of family planning for you. Decide whether you
want one or more kids in the future. Do you want something permanent or something that will
last for a few years? Do you want to avoid synthetic hormones? Can you remember to take a pill
every day--at the same time of day? Know that the only 100 percent effective method of birth
control is abstinence and most others don't prevent against STDs. Talk to your physician about
which method would be best for your family.
Just because temperature changes are very accurate in predicting the day of ovulation, they do not
predict it before it happens. To be completely safe, you should consider unsafe days from the first day
of your period until the fourth day after the temperature rise. Don't forget, sperm can live up to
seven days after intercourse.
You can use Ovulation predictor kits with the temperature charts to more accurately pinpoint your day of
ovulation. They work by detecting the small amounts of LH that is present in the urine before
ovulation. There is a rise in the amount of LH in the body approximately 24 hours before ovulation.
This increase is registered by a color change. You must follow manufacturer's directions precisely to
get the best results.
Calendar Method
This method is also known as the 'Rhythm Method' or fondly as 'Baby Roulette'.
You must chart your menstrual cycles on a calendar for several months. If
your periods are the SAME LENGTH every month, you may be able to predict
the day of ovulation. Your 'unsafe days' are both BEFORE and AFTER
ovulation. Because the egg lives for 24 hours, sperm need to either be there
to meet it or arrive shortly after ovulation for you to get pregnant. You are
unsafe from 7 days before your day of ovulation to 4 days after ovulation.
This is because sperm can live up to seven days in you. They have consistently
been found alive and well five days after intercourse.
Condoms: Condoms are the most commonly used male contraceptive to escape pregnancy.
Using condoms during sexual intercourse acts like a barrier for sperms to enter the vagina,
thus restricting their contact with the egg. In recent times, even female condoms are
available in the market. Along with birth control, a condom also helps in the prevention of
sexually transmitted diseases. There have been cases where condoms have failed to avoid
pregnancy, but this is mostly due to defective condoms or incorrect use of the condom.
Birth Control and Emergency Pills: Another method of artificial family planning is the use
of birth control pills by women. Birth control 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 the sperms to the egg. This can be an effective method if the
pills are taken regularly and in the correct manner. If contraceptives do not work out,
another way of precluding pregnancy is to take emergency contraceptive pills. If a couple
has indulged in unsafe sex, the woman can take emergency pills to reduce the chances of
getting pregnant.
Any method of family planning, be it natural or artificial, does not affect the sex life of the
couple. However, no method is full proof and there have been rare cases where women have
become pregnant even after using contraception. So, the best way would be consult one's
gynecologist for the appropriate family planning method to stay away from a pregnancy that
is undesirable.