Professional Documents
Culture Documents
I. Introduction
Voluntary family planning has been widely adopted throughout the world.
More than half of all couple in the developing countries now use a modern method of
contraception for healthy timing, spacing, and limiting of births to achieve their desired
family size. Few other public health measures have demonstrated so great a life-saving,
health, and economic impact for such a low cost. Family planning has saved the lives
of millions of mothers and their children and has improved the well-being of families
and communities.
The success of family planning has not been consistent across countries
or even within countries. In some countries, the level of contraceptive use has remained
low or risen slowly over the years. Even in countries where modern-method use is
relatively widespread, there are population without access to family planning services.
In the developing world, an estimated 222 million women would like to space or limit
their pregnancies but are not using a contraceptive method. South Asia has the highest
number of women who want to avoid pregnancy and are not using a family planning
influenced by many factor including maternal disorder, risks involved in the pregnancy,
and socioeconomic factors. One or both members of a couple can use contraception to
Women typically welcome pregnancy and childbirth, especially when planned. However,
2
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
many pregnancies are unintended or mistimed, and the risk of illness and death
associated with these events can be very high. Access to family planning information
pregnancy. There are more than 287,000 maternal deaths a year. For every maternal
death, at least 30 other women suffer serious illness or debilitating injuries, such as
system, chronic pain, infertility, and the inability to control the leakage of urine.
If women had only the number of pregnancies that they wanted, maternal mortality
would drop by about one-third. In spite of this, about 222 million women in the
developing world who want to avoid a pregnancy are not using a modern contraceptive
method.
Family planning allows women to make informed choices regarding when and if
they decide to have children. Ultimately, its your choice to figure out which method, if
any, youd like to use to control reproduction. Knowing both the advantages and
disadvantages of family planning methods may help you come to a decision regarding
The term Family planning generally refers to methods undertaken that allow
women to control when they get pregnant. Frequently, Family planning refer to
hormonal birth control, such as the pill, injectable birth control, birth control patches and
frequently, used a family planning methods. Finally, natural family planning also called
their menstrual cycle and refrain from sex during time is most likely to occur.
3
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
Family planning, simply put, is the practice of controlling the number of children
in a family and the intervals between their births, particularly by means of artificial
name, consideration of a couples desire to bear children, in the context of a family unit,
place a woman and her childbearing decision at the center of the discussion, as nations
parts of the world. Family planning may involve consideration of the number of children
a woman wishes to have, including the choice to have no children, as well as the age at
which she wishes to have them. These matters are obviously influenced by external
disabilities that may affect their ability to have children and raise them, besides many
other consideration. If sexually active, family planning may involve the use of
infertility management.
and the use of contraception. However, it often involve methods and practices in
addition to contraception. Additionally, there are many who might with to use
contraception but are not, necessarily, planning a family (e.g., unmarried adolescent,
young married couples delaying childbearing while building a career); family planning
has become a catch-all phrase for much of the work undertaken in this realm. It is most
usually applied to a female-male couple who wish to limit the number of children they
have and/or to control the timing of pregnancy (also known as spacing children). Family
4
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
planning may encompass sterilization, as well as abortion. Family planning services are
individuals, including minors, to determine freely the number and spacing of their
You have right to choose how many children to have and when
Fewer children mean more time and money for each one
BENEFITS
Mothers and babies are healthier when risky pregnancies are avoided.
Smaller families mean more money and food for each child.
THINGS TO CONIDER
women and men should wait until 18 years or have finished studies, and are
5
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
pregnant again.
Family planning allows women to determine when they want to get pregnant and
provides some health benefits. Women -- and couples who make joint decisions -- can
use birth control to avoid pregnancy until they're ready to conceive and can plan
6
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
intervals between pregnancies. The major disadvantages to family planning include the
side effects associated with some types of birth control. Also, other than abstinence,
there's no 100 percent guarantee that pregnancy won't occur. Advantage: Reduced
Risk of Pregnancy For women and couples who don't want to have a baby, family
planning reduces the risk of pregnancy. For example, when used correctly, birth control
pills are over 99 percent effective and condoms are 98 percent effective at avoiding
pregnancies for teens and for people who can't afford to care for a baby, according to
the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. Sponsored link
Advantage: Birth Control Health Benefits for Women and Men Some forms of family
planning that involve birth control provide health benefits to women. For example, birth
control pills, vaginal hormonal rings and hormone patches make menstrual cycles more
regular and decrease menstrual cramps. They also decrease the likelihood that a
woman will get ovarian and uterine cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts
and anemia, according to The Center for Young Women's Health. Also, the use of male
and female condoms lowers the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
Advantage: Intervals Between Pregnancies Family planning makes it easier for couples
to create desired intervals between pregnancies. For example, a couple might want to
wait to have their second child until their first child starts kindergarten or until they can
afford to relocate to a bigger house. It also ensures that a woman's body has sufficient
(October 2010) Family planning is widely recognized as one of the most cost-effective
in family planning can save lives and dramatically improve maternal and child health.
including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and poverty reduction.2 Although
it seems intuitive that helping women avoid unwanted pregnancies would improve their
economic well-being, the data to adequately assess this relationship have been limited.
and poverty alleviation. Recent research on the integrated Family Planning and
Maternal Child Health (FPMCH) program in Matlab, Bangladesh, indicates that families
in communities where the program was implemented became healthier and wealthier
over time than families who lived in similar communities but received only the routine
Ministry of Health services.3 Families who received FPMCH services through the
of wealth, and higher levels of education. Healthier Families After 20 years of FPMCH
program implementation, study results revealed that women in the program area were
more likely to use family planning and have fewer children than similar women in the
comparison area. Women in the program area also had a better nutritional status with a
higher average weight and body mass index. They were more likely to have had
antenatal care and optimal spacing between births, and a lower risk of dying from
pregnancy-related complications. Their daughters weighed more and their children were
more likely to be immunized for diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus (DPT); polio; and
8
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
measles. Child mortality (deaths before age 5) decreased by at least 20 percent in the
program area compared with the nonprogram area. These exciting health improvements
and reductions in fertility support previous research demonstrating the positive impact of
family planning on maternal and child health and mortality reduction. Wealthier Families
The FPMCH program is unique because of the data available to measure improvements
in community and household well-being. Over time, families in the program area were
more likely than the comparison group to have higher incomes, increased home value,
greater savings and assets, higher educational achievement, and improved access to
water. Families attained a higher quality of life when they had the opportunity to prevent
pregnancies and plan and space births as desired. Women in the program area earned
more money and lived in households with greater assets than women in the comparison
group. Although income typically rises with educational level, women in the program
group earned considerably more than those in the comparison groupan average of an
additional 450 taka for each year of schooling representing an extra six months of
typical salary. The total value of assets among families and households in the program
how assets were defined. Women with access to FPMCH services through the
programespecially women with higher levels of educationwere more likely to: Own
more farm land. Have greater investments in ponds for aquaculture and orchards for
perennial crops. Have other forms of savings and assets that may be more profitable
than farmland because they require less manual labor. Better-Educated Children
Education helps to alleviate poverty by increasing literacy and preparing students for
jobs with better salaries. Education was not part of the FPMCH program, but greater
family income in the program area may have helped these families benefit more from
educational opportunities. Although the educational benefits varied somewhat for boys
9
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
and girls, according to age and whether a girl's mother had attended school, children in
the program area were generally more likely to be enrolled in school and to have
achieved a higher level of education than those in the comparison group. Improved
Access to Water Households in the program area invested more in accessible well-
water over time than those in the comparison groups. Since water was more convenient
to collect, women and children in those households did not have to travel to rivers or
other distant sources to fetch water and carry it back. Instead, these families could
spend their time focusing on earning higher incomes, obtaining and preparing food, and
improving family health. Improved water source in the program area may have also
contributed to fewer child deaths from water-borne diseases. Lessons From Bangladesh
contributes to the achievement of the MDGs and improved economic security for
women, families, and communities. When a range of family planning services are easy
to obtain, women often choose to have fewer children and invest more in their families
healthier and have more equal opportunities to pursue an education, a career, and
financial security. With fewer children to support, families can accumulate greater
assets and invest more in their children's health and well-being. The relationship
between smaller families and greater wealth highlights the benefit of sustained
investments in family planning and maternal and child health programs as an important
A. Fertility Awareness
fertile and infertile times in your cycle. FAM is based on body signs, which
change during each menstrual cycle is respone to the hormones that cause
10
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
There are variety of fertility awareness methods that use one or more fertility signs.
Vaginal discharge changes at the time of ovulation. When youre most fertile, there is
More mucus, and it feels wet and slippery (like raw egg white). After ovulation, there is l
Less mucus and its sticky, blocking sperm from entering the uterus. Women can check
What are the facts about Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) based on?
Sperm can live up to five to six days in the uterus, and be able to
This means that a woman is fertile for as long as six days before
periods).
woman has regular monthly periods (the number of days between the
start of each period is exactly the same) then ovulation will occur at
If 100 couples use FAM for one year, an average of 25 women will
year of use.
Of the womans menstrual cycle and the ability to use the methods
FAMs work by keeping sperm out of the vagina in the days near ovulation,
Emergency Contraception
If you have unprotected sex on a day that you may be fertile, emergency
to use)
for partners.
pregnancy.
time.
with intercourse.
Other considerations
unintended pregnancies.
correctly.
Some couples chose FAM because its safe, less expensive than
In orderto know when you are most likely to get pregnant, you have to
Before pregnancy can begin, a womans egg mut join with a mans
sperm.This is called fertilization. For healthy woman, there are days when
fertilization can happen. There are days when it cant.And there are some
days when its unlikely but still possible. To begin a pregnancy, a woman
can have vaginal intercourse without protection during the days when its
possible for the eggs and sperm to join. We call those days your fertile days.
A womans fertile days depend on the life span of the egg and the sperm.
Her egg lives for about a day after ovulation. Sperm can live inside her body
A woman has a chance of her egg joining a sperm about seven days of
It also includes
the day or two after ovulation-even though its likely to happen then
then.
Knowing when your fertile days wii happen can help you avoid a pregnancy.
It can also help you plan one. The key is to figure out when you will ovulate.
15
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
B. Safe Motherhood
adolescent girls die from problems related to pregnancy and childbirth. Every
during pregnancy, many of which leave them/or their children with infections and
severe disabilities. Each year, about 3 million babies are stillborn, and 3.7 million
babies (latest data available, 2004) die very soon after birth of the mother,
including diseases that were not adequately treated before or during pregnancy,
is often a factor contributing to newborn deaths or to babies born too early and/or
The risks of childbearing for the mother and her baby can be greatly reduced if:
2. She has regular maternity care by a trained health worker at least four time
during every pregnancy;
3. The birth is assisted by a skilled birth attendant, such as doctor, nurse or midwife;
4. She and her baby have access to specialized care if there are complication; and
5. She and her baby are checked regularly during the 24 hours after childbirth, in
the first week, and again six weeks after giving birth, Pregnant woman and their
partners who are HIV-positive or think they may be infected should consult a
trained health worker for counseling on reducing the risk of infecting the baby
during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, and caring for themselves and
their baby.
skilled birth attendant to assist at childbirth; special care and referral services in
the event serious problems arise; and maternity protection in the workplace.
Mot government have ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Form of
address these issues to ensure that women receive the quality health care they
need and that they and their newborn have a right to receive.
RH-Bill
Health Bill last December 21, which is now known as Republic Act 10354, House
Gonzales told reporters through text message that Aquino had signed the measure into
a law without fanfare a day after both chambers of the 15th Congress ratified the
Seen as one of the most controversial measures handled by legislators, the RH Bill
had languished for 13 years in Congress before it was passed by both the Senate and
the House of Representatives this month. It was also deemed one of the most divisive
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), with universal access to medically safe,
fertilized ovum.
Both the national and local government will shoulder responsibility in implementing
the said law which will also provide age- and development-appropriate reproductive
Albay Representative EdcelLagman, the main proponent of the RH Bill at the House
He was also hopeful that private schools would follow suit and adapt the DepEds
curriculum on RH education.
The law will only provide minors with access to artificial birth control methods in
health centers and state-run hospitals if they have written parental consent, or have
Information and access to family planning methods which have are proven medically
safe, legal, non-abortifacient, and effective in accordance with scientific and evidence-
based medical research standards such as those registered and approved by the FDA
(Food and Drug Administration) will be provided by the State under the said law.
RA 10354 also gives the health department the responsibility as the lead agency for
implementing the law and will handle procurement and distribution of family planning
The DOH will also have a hand in campaigns meant to raise public awareness on
reproductive health.
20
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
S. No. 2865
H. No. 4244
Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-third day of July, two
thousand twelve.
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. The State recognizes and guarantees the human
these rights, the right to sustainable human development, the right to health
which includes reproductive health, the right to education and information, and
the right to choose and make decisions for themselves in accordance with their
Pursuant to the declaration of State policies under Section 12, Article II of the
1987 Philippine Constitution, it is the duty of the State to protect and strengthen
the family as a basic autonomous social institution and equally protect the life of
the mother and the life of the unborn from conception. The State shall protect
and promote the right to health of women especially mothers in particular and of
21
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
the people in general and instill health consciousness among them. The family is
the natural and fundamental unit of society. The State shall likewise protect and
advance the right of families in particular and the people in general to a balanced
and healthful environment in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. The
State also recognizes and guarantees the promotion and equal protection of the
protection of womens human rights shall be central to the efforts of the State to
foundation of the family which in turn is the foundation of the nation. Pursuant
(a) The right of spouses to found a family in accordance with their religious
(c) The right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and
(d) special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and
(c) The right of the family to a family living wage and income; and
(d) The right of families or family associations to participate in the planning and
fertilized ovum as determined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and
those identified through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty
The State shall eradicate discriminatory practices, laws and policies that infringe
The State shall also promote openness to life; Provided, That parents bring forth
to the world only those children whom they can raise in a truly humane way.
SEC. 3. Guiding Principles for Implementation. This Act declares the following
as guiding principles:
(a) The right to make free and informed decisions, which is central to the
exercise of any right, shall not be subjected to any form of coercion and must be
(b) Respect for protection and fulfillment of reproductive health and rights which
seek to promote the rights and welfare of every person particularly couples, adult
(c) Since human resource is among the principal assets of the country, effective
and quality reproductive health care services must be given primacy to ensure
maternal and child health, the health of the unborn, safe delivery and birth of
23
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
healthy children, and sound replacement rate, in line with the States duty to
promote the right to health, responsible parenthood, social justice and full human
development;
(d) The provision of ethical and medically safe, legal, accessible, affordable, non-
abortifacient, effective and quality reproductive health care services and supplies
(e) The State shall promote and provide information and access, without bias, to
all methods of family planning, including effective natural and modern methods
which have been proven medically safe, legal, non-abortifacient, and effective in
as those registered and approved by the FDA for the poor and marginalized as
marginalization: Provided, That the State shall also provide funding support to
Ovulation Method, consistent with the needs of acceptors and their religious
convictions;
(f) The State shall promote programs that: (1) enable individuals and couples to
have the number of children they desire with due consideration to the health,
particularly of women, and the resources available and affordable to them and in
accordance with existing laws, public morals and their religious convictions:
Provided, That no one shall be deprived, for economic reasons, of the rights to
have children; (2) achieve equitable allocation and utilization of resources; (3)
24
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
the quality of life and environmental protection; (4) conduct studies to analyze
gender equality, protection of mothers and children, born and unborn and the
promotion and protection of womens reproductive rights and health; and (5)
(g) The provision of reproductive health care, information and supplies giving
protect and promote the right to health and the right to life;
(h) The State shall respect individuals preferences and choice of family planning
methods that are in accordance with their religious convictions and cultural
beliefs, taking into consideration the States obligations under various human
rights instruments;
population and development policies, plans, and programs will address the
25
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
(j) While this Act recognizes that abortion is illegal and punishable by law, the
government shall ensure that all women needing care for post-abortive
complications and all other complications arising from pregnancy, labor and
ethics;
(k) Each family shall have the right to determine its ideal family size: Provided,
however, That the State shall equip each parent with the necessary information
(n) The resources of the country must be made to serve the entire population,
especially the poor, and allocations thereof must be adequate and effective:
(o) Development is a multi-faceted process that calls for the harmonization and
integration of policies, plans, programs and projects that seek to uplift the quality
of life of the people, more particularly the poor, the needy and the marginalized;
and
26
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. For the purpose of this Act, the following terms
shall be defined as follows:
(a) Abortifacient refers to any drug or device that induces abortion or the
destruction of a fetus inside the mothers womb or the prevention of the fertilized
ovum to reach and be implanted in the mothers womb upon determination of the
FDA.
(b) Adolescent refers to young people between the ages of ten (10) to nineteen
(c) Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEMONC) refers to lifesaving
plus the provision of surgical delivery (caesarian section) and blood bank
(e) Family planning refers to a program which enables couples and individuals to
decide freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children and to
have the information and means to do so, and to have access to a full range of
of planning pregnancy.
(f) Fetal and infant death review refers to a qualitative and in-depth study of the
causes of fetal and infant death with the primary purpose of preventing future
(g) Gender equality refers to the principle of equality between women and men
and equal rights to enjoy conditions in realizing their full human potentials to
contribute to, and benefit from, the results of development, with the State
recognizing that all human beings are free and equal in dignity and rights. It
(h) Gender equity refers to the policies, instruments, programs and actions that
treatment and affirmative action. It entails fairness and justice in the distribution
of benefits and responsibilities between women and men, and often requires
recognizes that while reproductive health involves women and men, it is more
(j) Maternal death review refers to a qualitative and in-depth study of the causes
of maternal death with the primary purpose of preventing future deaths through
(k) Maternal health refers to the health of a woman of reproductive age including,
but not limited to, during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period.
and legal methods, whether natural or artificial, that are registered with the FDA,
to plan pregnancy.
(m) Natural family planning refers to a variety of methods used to plan or prevent
(n) Public health care service provider refers to: (1) public health care institution,
which is duly licensed and accredited and devoted primarily to the maintenance
treatment and care of individuals suffering from illness, disease, injury, disability
midwife; (3) public health worker engaged in the delivery of health care services;
or (4) barangay health worker who has undergone training programs under any
29
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
accredited government and NGO and who voluntarily renders primarily health
care services in the community after having been accredited to function as such
by the local health board in accordance with the guidelines promulgated by the
(o) Poor refers to members of households identified as poor through the NHTS-
(p) Reproductive Health (RH) refers to the state of complete physical, mental and
social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters
relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes. This
implies that people are able to have a responsible, safe, consensual and
satisfying sex life, that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to
decide if, when, and how often to do so. This further implies that women and men
(q) Reproductive health care refers to the access to a full range of methods,
facilities, services and supplies that contribute to reproductive health and well-
health, the purpose of which is the enhancement of life and personal relations.
(1) Family planning information and services which shall include as a first priority
making women of reproductive age fully aware of their respective cycles to make
(2) Maternal, infant and child health and nutrition, including breastfeeding;
30
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
(RTIs), HIV and AIDS and other sexually transmittable infections (STIs);
(6) Elimination of violence against women and children and other forms of sexual
(8) Treatment of breast and reproductive tract cancers and other gynecological
(r) Reproductive health care program refers to the systematic and integrated
provision of reproductive health care to all citizens prioritizing women, the poor,
(s) Reproductive health rights refers to the rights of individuals and couples, to
decide freely and responsibly whether or not to have children; the number,
information and means to do so; and to attain the highest standard of sexual
process of providing and acquiring complete, accurate and relevant age- and
(v) Responsible parenthood refers to the will and ability of a parent to respond to
the needs and aspirations of the family and children. It is likewise a shared
children, spacing and timing of their children according to their own family life
and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe
(x) Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) refers to any infection that may be
(z) Skilled health professional refers to a midwife, doctor or nurse, who has been
educated and trained in the skills needed to manage normal and complicated
newborns.
poor and vulnerable, to the center of development process, the central purpose
of which is the creation of an enabling environment in which all can enjoy long,
healthy and productive lives, done in the manner that promotes their rights and
protects the life opportunities of future generations and the natural ecosystem on
SEC. 5. Hiring of Skilled Health Professionals for Maternal Health Care and
Skilled Birth Attendance. The LGUs shall endeavor to hire an adequate number
of nurses, midwives and other skilled health professionals for maternal health
care and skilled birth attendance to achieve an ideal skilled health professional-
to-patient ratio taking into consideration DOH targets: Provided, That people in
provided the same level of access to health care: Provided, further, That the
national government shall provide additional and necessary funding and other
For the purposes of this Act, midwives and nurses shall be allowed to administer
lifesaving drugs such as, but not limited to, oxytocin and magnesium sulfate, in
33
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
accordance with the guidelines set by the DOH, under emergency conditions and
when there are no physicians available: Provided, That they are properly trained
SEC. 6. Health Care Facilities. Each LGU, upon its determination of the
necessity based on well-supported data provided by its local health office shall
highly populated and depressed areas shall have the same level of access and
shall not be neglected by providing other means such as home visits or mobile
health care clinics as needed: Provided, further, That the national government
shall provide additional and necessary funding and other necessary assistance
SEC. 7. Access to Family Planning. All accredited public health facilities shall
provide a full range of modern family planning methods, which shall also include
poor and marginalized couples having infertility issues who desire to have
private health facilities to paying patients with the option to grant free care and
hospitals owned and operated by a religious group, but they have the option to
provide such full range of modern family planning methods: Provided, further,
That these hospitals shall immediately refer the person seeking such care and
34
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
whether natural or artificial: Provided, That minors will not be allowed access to
modern methods of family planning without written consent from their parents or
guardian/s except when the minor is already a parent or has had a miscarriage.
SEC. 8. Maternal Death Review and Fetal and Infant Death Review. All LGUs,
national and local government hospitals, and other public health units shall
conduct an annual Maternal Death Review and Fetal and Infant Death Review in
accordance with the guidelines set by the DOH. Such review should result in an
SEC. 9. The Philippine National Drug Formulary System and Family Planning Supplies
devices, injectables and other safe, legal, non-abortifacient and effective family planning
products and supplies. The Philippine National Drug Formulary System (PNDFS) shall
be observed in selecting drugs including family planning supplies that will be included or
removed from the Essential Drugs List (EDL) in accordance with existing practice and in
consultation with reputable medical associations in the Philippines. For the purpose of
this Act, any product or supply included or to be included in the EDL must have a
certification from the FDA that said product and supply is made available on the
35
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
These products and supplies shall also be included in the regular purchase of essential
medicines and supplies of all national hospitals: Provided, further, That the foregoing
offices shall not purchase or acquire by any means emergency contraceptive pills,
postcoital pills, abortifacients that will be used for such purpose and their other forms or
equivalent.
SEC. 10. Procurement and Distribution of Family Planning Supplies. The DOH shall
procure, distribute to LGUs and monitor the usage of family planning supplies for the
whole country. The DOH shall coordinate with all appropriate local government bodies
to plan and implement this procurement and distribution program. The supply and
budget allotments shall be based on, among others, the current levels and projections
of the following:
(a) Number of women of reproductive age and couples who want to space or limit
their children;
Provided, That LGUs may implement its own procurement, distribution and monitoring
program consistent with the overall provisions of this Act and the guidelines of the DOH.
implementation of policies and programs to fight poverty. Towards this end, the DOH
shall implement programs prioritizing full access of poor and marginalized women as
marginalization to reproductive health care, services, products and programs. The DOH
shall provide such programs, technical support, including capacity building and
monitoring.
SEC. 12. PhilHealth Benefits for Serious .and Life-Threatening Reproductive Health
HIV and AIDS, breast and reproductive tract cancers, and obstetric complications, and
SEC. 13. Mobile Health Care Service. The national or the local government may
provide each provincial, city, municipal and district hospital with a Mobile Health Care
Service (MHCS) in the form of a van or other means of transportation appropriate to its
terrain, taking into consideration the health care needs of each LGU. The MHCS shall
deliver health care goods and services to its constituents, more particularly to the poor
The MHCS shall be operated by skilled health providers and adequately equipped with
a wide range of health care materials and information dissemination devices and
equipment, the latter including, but not limited to, a television set for audio-visual
presentations. All MHCS shall be operated by LGUs of provinces and highly urbanized
cities.
nonformal educational system and integrated in relevant subjects such as, but not
discrimination; sexual abuse and violence against women and children and other forms
of gender based violence and teen pregnancy; physical, social and emotional changes
gender and development; and responsible parenthood: Provided, That flexibility in the
formulation and adoption of appropriate course content, scope and methodology in each
educational level or group shall be allowed only after consultations with parents-
SEC. 15. Certificate of Compliance. No marriage license shall be issued by the Local
Civil Registrar unless the applicants present a Certificate of Compliance issued for free
by the local Family Planning Office certifying that they had duly received adequate
SEC. 16. Capacity Building of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs). The DOH shall be
The LGUs, with the technical assistance of the DOH, shall be responsible for the
health. The DOH shall provide the LGUs with medical supplies and equipment needed
by BHWs to carry out their functions effectively: Provided, further, That the national
government shall provide additional and necessary funding and other necessary
assistance for the effective implementation of this provision including the possible
38
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
SEC. 17. Pro Bono Services for Indigent Women. Private and nongovernment
reproductive healthcare service providers including, but not limited to, gynecologists and
pro bono services shall be included as a prerequisite in the accreditation under the
PhilHealth.
SEC. 18. Sexual and Reproductive Health Programs for Persons with Disabilities
(PWDs). The cities and municipalities shall endeavor that barriers to reproductive
(a) Providing physical access, and resolving transportation and proximity issues to
conditions of PWDs;
(c) Increasing access to information and communication materials on sexual and
reproductive health in braille, large print, simple language, sign language and
pictures;
(d) Providing continuing education and inclusion of rights of PWDs among health
the general public on the stigma and their lack of knowledge on the sexual and
SEC. 19. Duties and Responsibilities. (a) Pursuant to the herein declared policy, the
DOH shall serve as the lead agency for the implementation of this Act and shall
(1) Fully and efficiently implement the reproductive health care program;
(2) Ensure peoples access to medically safe, non-abortifacient, legal, quality and
(3) Perform such other functions necessary to attain the purposes of this Act.
(b) The DOH, in coordination with the PHIC, as may be applicable, shall:
(1) Strengthen the capacities of health regulatory agencies to ensure safe, high quality,
accessible and affordable reproductive health services and commodities with the
(2) Facilitate the involvement and participation of NGOs and the private sector in
reproductive health care service delivery and in the production, distribution and delivery
of quality reproductive health and family planning supplies and commodities to make
(3) Engage the services, skills and proficiencies of experts in natural family planning
(4) Supervise and provide assistance to LGUs in the delivery of reproductive health care
services and in the purchase of family planning goods and supplies; and
(5) Furnish LGUs, through their respective local health offices, appropriate information
and resources to keep the latter updated on current studies and researches relating to
(b) The FDA shall issue strict guidelines with respect to the use of contraceptives,
taking into consideration the side effects or other harmful effects of their use.
(c) Corporate citizens shall exercise prudence in advertising its products or services
SEC. 20. Public Awareness. The DOH and the LGUs shall initiate and sustain a
the protection and promotion of reproductive health and rights including, but not limited
to, maternal health and nutrition, family planning and responsible parenthood
information and services, adolescent and youth reproductive health, guidance and
counseling and other elements of reproductive health care under Section 4(q).
Education and information materials to be developed and disseminated for this purpose
SEC. 21. Reporting Requirements. Before the end of April each year, the DOH shall
submit to the President of the Philippines and Congress an annual consolidated report,
of its programs and those of other government agencies and instrumentalities and
recommend priorities for executive and legislative actions. The report shall be printed
and distributed to all national agencies, the LGUs, NGOs and private sector
The annual report shall evaluate the content, implementation, and impact of all policies
related to reproductive health and family planning to ensure that such policies promote,
members each from the Senate and the House of Representatives. The members from
the Senate and the House of Representatives shall be appointed by the Senate
President and the Speaker, respectively, with at least one (1) member representing the
Minority.
The COC shall be headed by the respective Chairs of the Committee on Health and
Demography of the Senate and the Committee on Population and Family Relations of
the House of Representatives. The Secretariat of the COC shall come from the existing
concerned.
The COC shall monitor and ensure the effective implementation of this Act, recommend
review of this Act every five (5) years from its effectivity. The COC shall perform such
other duties and functions as may be necessary to attain the objectives of tins Act.
(a) Any health care service provider, whether public or private, who shall:
reproductive health including the right to informed choice and access to a full range of
(2) Refuse to perform legal and medically-safe reproductive health procedures on any
person of legal age on the ground of lack of consent or authorization of the following
disagreement,
(ii) the decision of the one undergoing the procedure shall prevail; and
(iii) Parental consent or that of the person exercising parental authority in the
case of abused minors, where the parent or the person exercising parental
the proper prosecutorial office of the court. In the case of minors, the written
(3) Refuse to extend quality health care services and information on account of the
nature of work: Provided, That the conscientious objection of a health care service
provider based on his/her ethical or religious beliefs shall be respected; however, the
conscientious objector shall immediately refer the person seeking such care and
services to another health care service provider within the same facility or one which is
condition or serious case as defined in Republic Act No. 8344, which penalizes the
(b) Any public officer, elected or appointed, specifically charged with the duty to
restricts the delivery of legal and medically-safe reproductive health care services,
including family planning; or forces, coerces or induces any person to use such
services; or refuses to allocate, approve or release any budget for reproductive health
care services, or to support reproductive health programs; or shall do any act that
Act;
( c) Any employer who shall suggest, require, unduly influence or cause any
any modern methods of family planning, or not use such methods as a condition for
benefits. Further, pregnancy or the number of children shall not be a ground for non-
(d) Any person who shall falsify a Certificate of Compliance as required in Section 15
national government and LGUs of modern family planning supplies, products and
devices.
SEC. 24. Penalties. Any violation of this Act or commission of the foregoing prohibited
acts shall be penalized by imprisonment ranging from one (1) month to six (6) months
(P100,000.00), or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the competent
44
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
court: Provided, That, if the offender is a public officer, elected or appointed, he/she
shall also suffer the penalty of suspension not exceeding one (1) year or removal and
forfeiture of retirement benefits depending on the gravity of the offense after due notice
If the offender is a juridical person, the penalty shall be imposed upon the president or
any responsible officer. An offender who is an alien shall, after service of sentence, be
and a fine triple the amount involved in the violation shall be imposed.
SEC. 25. Appropriations. The amounts appropriated in the current annual General
Appropriations Act (GAA) for reproductive health and natural and artificial family
planning and responsible parenthood under the DOH and other concerned agencies
shall be allocated and utilized for the implementation of this Act. Such additional sums
necessary to provide for the upgrading of faculties necessary to meet BEMONC and
CEMONC standards; the training and deployment of skilled health providers; natural
and artificial family planning commodity requirements as outlined in Section 10, and for
other reproductive health and responsible parenthood services, shall be included in the
subsequent years general appropriations. The Gender and Development (GAD) funds
of LGUs and national agencies may be a source of funding for the implementation of
this Act.
SEC. 26. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). Within sixty (60) days from the
ssion on Women, PHIC, Department of the Interior and Local Government, National
womens and young peoples organizations, shall jointly promulgate the rules and
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. At least four (4) members of the
IRR drafting committee, to be selected by the DOH Secretary, shall come from NGOs.
SEC. 27. Interpretation Clause. This Act shall be liberally construed to ensure the
provision, delivery and access to reproductive health care services, and to promote,
SEC. 28. Separability Clause. If any part or provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and
effect.
SEC. 29. Repealing Clause. Except for prevailing laws against abortion, any law,
order, rule or regulation contrary to or is inconsistent with the provisions of this Act
including Republic Act No. 7392, otherwise known as the Midwifery Act, is hereby
SEC 30. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at
This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2865 and House Bill No. 4244 was
finally passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on December 19, 2012.
46
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
Filipinos are clamoring for the passage of the Reproductive Health Care Bill (RH
bill) into law. The 2008 national and Manila City surveys of the Social Weather Stations
(SWS) both confirm that majority of Filipinos want the RH bill passed into law, 71% and
86%, respectively.
Without a clear reproductive health care policy, we are at the mercy of national and
local government officials who may choose to promote the natural family planning
method (NFP) and deny access to the full range of contraceptive methods. In the past,
we saw the examples of then Health Secretaries Dayrit and Duque who merely
promoted NFP under clear instructions from Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the former
Manila City Mayor Atienza who effectively banned access to modern contraceptives in
The poor women, adolescent women, rural and indigenous women are the ones most
affected by the lack of a reproductive health care policy. They are the ones who have
the most unintended pregnancies and closely-spaced pregnancies. Their births are
About half of all pregnancies in the Philippines (approximately 1.43 million a year)1 are
unintended. The Health Department has noted that Filipino women on average have
women age 15-49 do not want another child; 82 percent of married women want either
to space their births or to limit childbearing altogether. The total unmet need for family
planning is 22 percent with highest unmet need for women age 15-19, lowest quintile of
wealth, rural women and women in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao
(ARMM). Twenty-six percent of women age 15-24 have already began child-bearing.
The contraceptive prevalence rate was only 36% using modern methods.
inadequate reproductive health services and information, the low rates of contraceptive
use and the difficulties in obtaining access to artificial methods of contraception, which
contribute to the high rates of teenage pregnancies and maternal deaths in the country.
The CESCR Committee urged it to adopt all appropriate measures to protect the
sexual and reproductive rights of women and girls, inter alia, through measures to
reduce maternal and infant mortality and to facilitate access to sexual and reproductive
In its 2009 Concluding Observations on the Philippines, the Committee on the Rights of
the Child (CRC Committee) expressed serious concern on the inadequate reproductive
health services and information, the low rates of contraceptive use (36 per cent of
women relied on modern family planning methods in 2006) and the difficulties in
49
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
obtaining access to artificial methods of contraception, which contribute to the high rates
According to the 2008 United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) State of the World
Population report on the Philippines, at least 230 Filipino mothers die for every 100,000
rate of 68%), seven in Canada, four in Spain (with modern method contraceptive
prevalence rate of 62%), three in Italy, six in Japan, 14 in South Korea, 14 in Singapore
(with modern method contraceptive prevalence rate of 53%). Across Europe, with the
exception of Albania, Romania, and Estonia, the maternal mortality ratio is below 15.
Daily, there are 11 women dying while giving birth in the Philippines. Not a single death
should happen due to pregnancy and childbirth. These preventable deaths could have
been avoided if more Filipino women have had access to reproductive health
According to the 2008 NDHS, only 44 percent of births occur in health facilities and only
childbirth can be reduced further by access to skilled birth attendants which would be
Adequate birth spacing is important for the health of the woman and the children.
Birth spacing of four or more years can increase the survival rate of children less than
five years of age. The under-five mortality rate11 for children born less than two years
after a previous birth is 54 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared with 25 deaths per
50
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
5. To help individuals and couples choose freely and responsibly when to have
children
Knowing which medically safe and effective methods of contraception to use will
help individuals and couples determine freely and responsibly the number, spacing and
timing of their children. This in turn should ensure that all children are wanted and loved
The Constitution states that it shall defend the right of spouses to form a family in
accordance with their religious convictions and the demands of responsible parenthood
(Art. 15, Sec. 14). Every person must be free to make sexual and reproductive
decisions according to her or his own conscience and religious beliefs free from
The CRC Committee expressed concern at the lack of effective measures to promote
the reproductive rights of women and girls and that particular beliefs and religious
values are preventing their fulfillment. According to our obligations under the
which the Philippines ratified on August 3, 1981, the Philippines should ensure women
the same rights to decide freely and responsibly on the number and spacing of their
children and to have access to the information, education and means to enable them to
will reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies, eliminate the need for abortion, and
51
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
prevent maternal deaths. It is unfortunate though that the proposed law that could
In the Philippines, there are half a million women who induce abortion procedures every
year, 79,000 women who are admitted to hospitals for complications from unsafe
abortion and there are 800 women dying from unsafe abortion.
deaths are due to unsafe abortion. The latest Philippine statistics on abortion also show
the following profile of women who induce abortion: nine in ten women are married or in
a consensual union; more than half have at least three children; two-thirds are poor;
The Philippine legal restriction on abortion, one of the vestiges of Spanish colonization
in the Philippines, was lifted directly from the old Spanish Penal Code of 1870.
Recognizing the high rates of deaths of women undergoing clandestine and unsafe
abortion procedures due to its illegality, the Spanish government reconsidered its
restrictive law and has allowed abortion on certain grounds in 1985, over 25 years now.
Last February 24, 2010, Spain approved a new law on abortion that further eases
restrictions by allowing the procedure without restrictions up to 14 weeks and gives 16-
and 17-year olds the right to have abortions without parental consent. The law is the
latest of a series of bold social reforms undertaken by Socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis
Rodriguez Zapatero, who first took office in 2004. Spain has also legalized gay marriage
Spain has liberalized its laws to allow abortion on broad grounds and yet we are left to
contend with our old colonial laws. Other predominantly Catholic countries that allow
52
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
abortion are Belgium, France, Italy, Poland, and Hungary (whose constitution protects
life from conception but permits abortion up to 12 weeks of gestation). Recent abortion
liberalizations occurred in Colombia, Mexico City (legalized abortion in the first trimester
pregnancy).
Recognizing that the criminalization of abortion does not lessen the number of women
inducing abortion but only makes it dangerous for women who undergo clandestine and
unsafe abortion, in 2006, the CEDAW Committee urged the Philippine government to
consider reviewing the laws relating to abortion with a view to removing punitive
provisions imposed on women who undergo abortion and provide them with access to
quality services for the management of complications arising from unsafe abortions and
to reduce womens maternal mortality rates in line with the Committees general
recommendation 24 on women and health and the Beijing Platform for Action.
The Philippine law on abortion does not even allow express exceptions based on rape,
risks to the life and health of the woman and fetal impairment. Philippine law on abortion
must be liberalized to allow it on demand. This change can happen through a specific
law removing the penalties for the woman inducing abortion and the safe abortion
Making abortion safe and legal will save the lives of about 800 Filipino women
representing the number of women who die every year from unsafe abortion. The
legalization of abortion does not increase the number of women inducing abortion
instead it has led to a decrease in number of women dying from unsafe abortion. Where
abortion is legal, like in Canada and Turkey, abortion rates did not increase while the
53
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
Netherlands, with its liberal abortion law and widely accessible contraceptives and free
abortion services, has one of the lowest abortion rates in the world. Deaths due to
brandname for levonorgestrel, has been prey to religious fundamentalist attack. Then
Health Secretary Alberto Romualdez, Jr. issued a Position Paper in 1999 allowing its
dispensation to rape victims through the hospital-based DOH network of Women and
the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) and, despite requests for its re-registration, it
considered a method of abortion. Over 140 countries worldwide have registered EC pills
such as Postinor and the like including 31 predominantly Catholic countries such as
Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Burundi, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican
Slovenia, Spain, Uruguay, and Venezuela, Almost all of the ten ASEAN countries
The Comprehensive Reproductive Health Care Bill (RH bill) recommends that the
the governments duty to give priority attention to the situation of adolescents and that it
provide sex education, targeted at girls and boys, with special attention to the
The CRC Committee recommended the urgent adoption of the RH Bill, to ensure
access to reproductive health counse[ling] and provide all adolescents with accurate
and objective information and culturally sensitive services in order to prevent teenage
without any restrictions and improving knowledge and conscience on family planning,
and to strengthen formal and informal sex education, for girls and boys, focusing on the
prevention of early pregnancies, STIs and family planning, among other things.
Many adolescents are sexually active and are not practicing any contraceptive method.
In 2008, there were 47 births for every 1000 women aged 15-19.28 According to
the Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study 3 (YAFS 3), by age 18, 10 % of young
women would have been pregnant and by age 20, 25% would have already been
pregnant. Twenty-six percent of women age 15-24 have already began child-bearing.
Adolescents should know the risks of early sex such as the different RTIs and the
possibility of acquiring STIs and HIV/AIDS through unprotected and unsafe sex.
55
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which causes most cervical cancers. At their young age,
Pregnancies of adolescent girls aged 18 years and below are considered high risk
pregnancies. Complications due to high blood and maternal mortality are high for
adolescent girls giving birth. They also tend to disregard basic pre-natal and post-natal
care thereby putting themselves at risk and adding to occurrence of infant mortality.
The social impact of early childbirth for adolescent girls includes disruption of schooling
and the resulting lack of career options due to low educational attainment and lack of
necessary job skills. Lack of career options in turn result in lack of financial capability.
Philippine law already requires schools to teach HIV and AIDS under the 1998
Philippine AIDS Prevention Act (RA 8504). The ordinances in the provinces of Aurora,
Ifugao, Mt. Province, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu and Olongapo City all require adolescent
reproductive health (ARH) education in schools. These laws manifest the need to
The HIV epidemic in the Philippines is steadily growing. At the start of 2010, there
are already four new cases being reported every month compared to the two new cases
reported monthly in 2009. According to the estimates of Dr. Enrique Tayag, Director of
the National Epidemiology Center (NEC), there will be an additional 1,500 Filipinos
The cumulative total cases of HIV from Jan. 1984-Aug. 2009 is 4,082.40 The annual
newly-reported HIV cases rose from 200 in 2004 to 528 in 2008 and the number nearly
56
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
As early as 2007, more and more young people were being infected with HIV, thus, it is
important to reach the general youth population.42 HIV infected males in the age
groups of 20-24 and 25-29 posted an increasing share (4 percent and 6 percent,
respectively) for the period 2006-2009, while diminishing proportions are accounted by
A growing number of women are getting HIV at 28%. Of the 821 AIDS cases reported in
2009, more than half of sexual transmissions was through heterosexual contact (30%
were women and 70% were men). An alarming 35% of OFWs with HIV are seafarers
with a corresponding increase in the number of wives of seafarers infected with HIV.
Condoms and educational campaigns discussing the modes of HIV transmission, risky
sexual behavior, and prevention and treatment of HIV are ways to address the rising
comprehensive RH law.
For many poor families, a large family size results in further poverty and lack of
access to education and health services, among others. There are also studies showing
that the eldest or second eldest from poor, large families end up in prostitution to meet
their families needs and many women from large families also end up being trafficked.
11. To free womens bodies from being held hostage by politics and
fundamentalism
Groups such as the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) have
57
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
continuously opposed the passage of the RH bill into law. It even identified in its
guidelines for the 2010 elections that voters should not vote for candidates who support
the RH bill. The above findings on the negative impact of the non-passage of the RH bill
and the restriction of access to modern contraceptives show that a stance that is
against the passage of the RH bill is not responsive to the needs of the Filipinos
rights and to the lives and well-being of Filipinos especially the poor. In fact, the results
of the 2010 election prove that many Catholic-backed candidates did not win in the
elections.
In the past, the soft stance of some congressional representatives and those in the
executive branch of the government was their way of not antagonizing the CBCP into
campaigning against them, however, the CBCP should not be involved in politicking
since our very constitution guarantees the separation of church and state and the
The guarantee of the separation of church and state is provided under Section 6, Art. II
states that [t]he separation of [c]hurch and [s]tate shall be inviolable. The reason for
the principle of separation of church and state is to guard against the views of a
dominant church from influencing the conduct of government and influencing policies to
cater to a specific dominant church. The separation of church and state guarantees that
one will not abuse the other or that one dominant religion or belief will not be used to
govern the state and its people. It must likewise be noted that while the 1987
religion. Section 5, Article III of the Bill of Rights states: No law shall be made
that the government may not coerce anyone to support or participate in religion.
The January 2010 SWS survey though would make the congressional representatives
and those in the executive branch seriously consider their true stance on the RH bill
since the results show that 38% of Filipinos opt to vote for candidates who support the
RH bill while a meager 6% opt to vote for those who oppose it. Thirty-five percent did
not know what the RH bill was about. Given the trend on the survey, it would mean that
more Filipinos who know about the RH bill would vote for a candidate who clearly
supports the RH bill. Politically, it is popular for congressional representatives and those
The 2008 NDHS also cites health concerns and fear of side effects as the two foremost
reasons why women do not use contraceptives while only three percent do not use
Our representatives in government must realize that our very own Constitution states
that, Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from
them. Government officials must be reminded that they are mere representatives of the
Filipino people and that their obligation is to the Filipino people and not to the Catholic
Church and its bishops who are against the passage of the RH bill into law. Government
officials must respect plurality in our society. They must uphold access to reproductive
health information and health care services and give primary importance to a persons
access to information and health care services do not deserve any place in governance.
True to their being representatives of the people, many public officials have enacted
reproductive health ordinances such as in Luzon (the provinces of Aurora, Ifugao, Mt.
Province; cities such as Quezon City, Antipolo City, Olongapo City; the municipalities of
Tinoc, Sagada, Lagawe, Asipulo, Bontoc, and Paracelis), in Visayas (the municipalities
of Talibon, Ubay and Carmen of Bohol province, and the municipalities of Llorente and
Maydolong of Eastern Samar) and in Mindanao (the provinces of Sulu and Lanao Del
Sur, General Santos City, and the municipalities of Lebak and Kapatagan).
Government officials should follow the lead of local government officials such as
who have spearheaded the enactment of ordinances such as The Aurora Reproductive
Health Care Code of 2005 (Provincial Ordinance No. 125 (2005)) supporting increased
Despite the CBCPs campaign against elective officials who advocate for reproductive
rights especially those who support the reproductive health care bill, many politicians
stand on not just respecting the rights of individuals and couples to informed choice.
They must clearly make a stance that they will earmark funds to provide wide access to
60
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
modern contraceptives and reproductive health care services. It is very easy for middle
class and upper class women to pay for their own contraceptives and other reproductive
health care services but this is not the case for poor women in the communities, rural
areas, and in the ARMM. For poor women, they are unable to buy contraceptives, they
cannot afford to pay for anti-biotics to treat their reproductive tract infection for them to
be able to have an IUD inserted, they cannot afford to pay for a P2,500 ligation
procedure even when they already have four or more children, they are unable to get
pre-natal and post-natal check ups because they have to tend to the needs of their
several children at home nor they can pay for a simple PAP smear procedure. We need
It has been almost nine years since the first RH bill has been filed in Congress in
December 2001. The failure to pass the RH bill has been detrimental to the health and
Congressional representatives and those in executive positions must make a stand that
clearly supports wide access to reproductive health information, supplies, and services.
CONTRACEPTION AT A GLANCE
Its a great idea to talk through
WHAT IS IT?
What Is Contraception?
With so many different methods to choose from you will find one that
suits you perfectly. Each method differs in how effective they are, how
62
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
long they last, how they work and where you can get hold of them.
There are two main types, hormonal methods and barrier methods.
Hormonal methods introduce hormones to your body to make it act
differently, some stop you from releasing eggs completely, some just
make it difficult for sperm to reach the egg that is released. Barrier
methods stop sperm from getting anywhere near the egg in the first place
KNOW YOUR
OPTIONS Sponge
Fertility
Awareness Spermicid
es
Cervical
Cap Withdrawal
Method
63
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
Sterilizatio Male
n Condom
Emergency Contraceptive
Contracept Patch
ives
Contraceptive
Intrauterine Contraceptive
System - Implant
IUS
64
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
Contraceptive
Injection
Requires a
prescription
affected prevent
STIs
Requires a
prescription
Must be
inserted
and
removed by
a physician
Must be
This soft, Hormone-free inserted 95% when
Female disposable No prescription before used
Condom sheath made Available in perfectly
intercourse
of some strores and More 79% with
polyurethane online expensive typical use
is placed Woman controls than male
inside the its use condoms
vagina before Protects against Must be
intercourse to some STIs inserted
prevent direct properly
genital contact May slip or
and the break
exchange of Makes a
bodily fluids. noise
during
intercourse
PILLS
75
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
Safe
What it is
How to use
When you finish a pack of pills, start a new pack the next day.
If you miss more than 2 days of pills in a row, use condoms for 7 days and keep
taking pills. If you miss these pills in week 3, ALSO skip the reminder pills and start
a new pack.
What to expect
few months.
Key points
Be sure you have enough pills. Get more before you run out.
INJECTION
Safe
What it is
Hormone injection.
How to use
If later, use condoms and return for an injection as soon as possible.
What to expect
and safe.
Possible slight weight change.
Key points
MALE CONDOM
78
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
What it is
How to use
What to expect
No side-effect.
Key points
Can be used with other family planning methods to prevent sexually transmitted
FEMALE CONDOM
What it is
How to use
Insert new female condom into the vagina before every sex act.
What to expect
No side-effects
Key points
80
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
Can be used with other family planning method to prevent sexually transmitted
Make sure penis enters inside the condom ring and stays in during sex.
correctly.
IMPLANTS
Safe to use
One of the most effective
methods
Lasts for 3 to 5 years
Can be removed any time if you
want to get pregnant
What it is
Hormone from the tubes blocks sperm from reaching egg and prevents release
egg.
How to use
What to expect
Key points
IUD
Safe to use
One of the most effective
methods
Can be used for up to 12 years
Can be removed any time if you
already want to get pregnant
What it is
Small, flexible, plastic T wrapped in copper wire that is placed in the womb.
How to use
82
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
Can be put in right after you have a baby a well as at other times.
What to expect
Some cramping and heavier bleeding during monthly bleeding in the first few
months of use.
Key points
FEMALESTERILIZATION
83
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
What it is
Specially trained provider makes one or two small cut to reach the tube that
Can be done right after you have a baby as well as other times.
What to expect
Key points
Permanent method.
VASECTOMY
Safe and permanent method for
men or couple who will not want
more children.
One of the most effective
methods.
Simple operation
Must use back-up method for first
3 months.
What it is
Specially trained provider makes two small cut to reach the tubes that carry
sperm.
How to use
3-month delay in taking effect. Couple must use another method until then.
What to expect
May have bruising and soreness for a few days after procedures.
Key points
85
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
Permanent method.
Breastfeeding method:
LACTATIONALAMENORRHEAMETHOD(
LAM)
What it is
86
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
Breastfeeding often, day and night (breastfeeding fully or nearly fully) and give
What to expect
No monthly bleeding.
Key points
What it is
Learning which days each month you could get pregnant (fertile days)
What to expect
Partners must avoid sex or use condoms for 12 days in a row, every month.
No side-effects.
Key points
If monthly bleeding become less regular. You may need to choose another
method.
WITHDRAWAL
No side-effects
Can be used at any time
Not as effective as other methods
No supplies
What it is
The man withdraws his penis from hi partners vagina and ejaculates outside the
vagina.
How to use
When the man feels he is close to ejaculation he withdraws his penis from the
womans vagina.
What to expect
Key points
Other methods provide greater protection from pregnancy for must people.
withdrawal.
Which oral contraceptive can I prescribe to a woman who is afraid to gain weight while
on the pill?
Answer:
The bottom line: Long and well designed epidemiological studies have all shown that
there is no weight gain during the use of any contraceptive pill, both combined and
estrogen-free pills.Of course young women under 20, who are still growing, will
experience the normal growth for their age, but that has nothing to do with the pill.
The only exception may be for depot medroxy progesterone acetate, in which women did
Question:
If a woman wants contraception immediately after giving birth, and if she wants to
Answer:
First it is very important that the mother, and her partner, make a well informed
decision. Condoms are of course a good choice. However, if she wants a more reliable
method, then an IUD can be inserted immediately after the delivery of the placenta. Due
90
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
to the position of the uterus immediately post partum and due to the relative weakness
of the uterine wall, the insertion must be done by someone who knows the risks and
preferably has received special training. Although the WHO advises to wait for six weeks
with hormonal contraception, it is now well known, that estrogen free hormonal
methods can safely be used, directly post partum and even when breastfeeding. So most
experts now agree that a contraceptive implant, an estrogen free pill (POP) or a
Question:
I read recently that a morning-after pill does not work optimally in obese women. What
is the advice?
Answer:
There are indeed data to show that a levo-norgestrel based emergency contraceptive is
less effective in women over 80 kgs. More data are presently being collected and
Question:
How many pills can a woman forget in the middle of her pill cycle, since that is supposed
Answer:
First: A pill cycle (or a Nuvaring cycle, or a contraceptive patch cycle) is an artificial
Secondly: Forgetting pills at the beginning or the end of the pill strip is much more
risky, since that lengthens the pill free interval! In case a pill in the beginning of the strip
is forgotten, the woman or the man should use additional contraception during at least
seven days. In case a pill at the end of the strip is forgotten, the woman should start the
91
[EFFECTS OF FAMILY PLANNING]
next pill after a normal pill-free interval. So if she forgets pill 20 and 21 of a 21 days
strip, she should start the new strip seven days after the last pill she took.
Your HCP
Your healthcare provider knows the subject better than anyone; get the right answers for
you
Your Parents
They know you better than anyone, and theyve been through it too
Your Partner
Youre in this together, and not just in the bedroom, be honest
women in the Philippines would prefer to have smaller families than they are currently
having. Women of middle class prefer up to one less child and those in poverty two fewer.
Yet many women and men in the Philippines are either not using any methods of family
planning or are using traditional family planning methods, which have a lower rate of
pregnancy prevention. Increased usage of a variety of methods of family planning would
offer benefits to Philippine women, their families and the country as a whole.
A. Population
in Asia and second in Southeast Asia, and it is growing at an annual rate of 1.9 percent,
negative impacts of this growth can be diminished, including those on the environment and
the increase in poverty and hunger. Family planning can also help with local, regional and
B. Poverty
opportunities for advancing their education and using their degrees to benefit themselves,
their families and their communities. According to the World Health Organization, children
with fewer siblings tend to stay in school longer than those with many siblings.
C. Healthiness of a person
number of children she has, a woman can decrease the risk to both her and her infant of
dying during childbirth or soon thereafter. Because older women and teenagers face
increased risk with pregnancy, as do their offspring, pregnancy prevention during those
years is also important. For example, teenagers are more likely to have babies born early
or with low birth weight, and infants born to teens have higher neonatal mortality rates.
Family planning can help reduce the risk of unplanned or unwanted pregnancies among
those living with HIV. Male or female condoms help protect against HIV.
V. Conclusion
SURVEY
Name:
Gender:
YES NO
2. Condom
3. Spemicide
4. Sterilization
I. In numbers,
II.
1. 1 3 13 9
2. 2 7 7 11
3. 3 1 10 14
4. 4 7 15 3
Graph I.
Family Planning
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
No. 1
No. 2
No. 3
No. 4
No. 5
No. 6
No. 7
YES NO
Graph II.
Rate
19%
36% Very Effective
Effective
Not at all
45%
and environmental. Planning can help assure that resources are available. The purpose
of family planning is to make sure that any couple, man, or woman who has desire to
have a child has the resources that are needed in order to complete this goal.
Base on weve survey. Many people, believe that family planning makes our country
better. From decreasing rate of poverty, population & make a healthy person in the
womb of a girl in the timing sterilization. They also believe in contraceptives, even
though on those side effects of contraceptives in our health. They believe that family
planning can help a lot from fertilization through pregnancy. Not just in a couple but also
in our community. Contraceptives helps a couple a lot from preventing pregnancy and
such disease, such as STIs. It can help us assure the future that can do by our future
Glossary of Terms
CERVICAL CAP:This thimble-shaped silicone cap fits over the cervix to block the
entrance to the uterus with spermicide.
DEATH RATE: The number of deaths per 1,000 of the population per year.
DIAPHRAGM:This latex dome with a flexible steel ring is positioned in the vagina over
the cervix (can also be non-latex). The device block the entrance to the uterus, and is
EJACULATION: the realease of semen from the opening at the tip of the penis when a
sexual relations only with your partner, and your partner has no other sexual partner but
you.
FALLOPIAN TUBES: These are two narrow tubes that are attached to the upper part of
the uterus. They serves as tunnels for the eggs to travel from the ovaries to the uterus.
Fallopian tubes are the place where the egg unite with a sperm.
the vagina before intercourse to prevent direct genital contact and the exchange of
bodily fluids.
FERTILIZATION: The process during which a sperm unites with an egg. Fertilization
be infertile if pregnancy has not occurred after 12 months of regular sexual activity
without the use of contraception (including the delay of return to fertlity after stopping
4 times per year that prevents pregnancy in the same way as oral contraceptives.
INTRAUTERINE DEVICE (IUD):A t-shaped device containing copper that sit inside the
uterus, preventing perm from fertilizing the egg and by causing changes in the cervical
mucus.
INTRAUTERINE SYSTEM:A t-shaped device that its inside the uterus and releases a
hormone slowly over time, preventing pregnancy much the same way oral
lambskin is placed on the erect penis before intercourse to prevent direct genital contact
MALE STERILIZATION:A minor operation to close or block the tubes that carry sperm
MENOPAUSE: The time in womans life when monthly bleedings permanently stop and
typically occurs sometime between the ages of 45 and 55 and marks the end of fertility.
NATURAL BIRTH CONTROL:You track your monthly cycle, and avoid sexual
ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES:The most commonly used method of birth control, the pill
contain either estrogen and progestin (hormones), or just progestin. Taken once daily, it
prevents ovaries from releasing an egg and thickens cervical mucus o sperm cant pass
through it.
OVARIES: Two small organs, which are located inside a womans abdomen, one vary
on each side of the uterus. The ovaries grow, store, and release eggs into the fallopian
tubes; typically on egg is released by one of the ovaries every month. The ovaries also
OVULATION: The release of the ripe egg from the ovary. Ovulation occurs about two
PENIS: The male reproductive organ used in sexual intercourse. The head of the penis
has a small opening which connects to the uterus the tube that transport semen and
urine. When a man is sexually aroused, the penis becomes erect (stiff). At this point the
flow of the urine is blocked from the urethra, allowing only semen to be expelled when
sterilization and are intended to end a womans or a mans ability to have children
permanently.
PUBERTY: The stage of adolescent in which bodies gradually change and become
affect a womans ability to have children. When a couple decides to stop uing the
method, the woman may become pregnant soon. All contraceptive methods other than
SEMEN: The thick white fluid that contains sperm and is expelled when the man
SEXUAL INTERCOURSE: This term usually refers to the insertion of a mans penis into
a womans vagina. This term may also be used to describe other sexual penetrative
acts, such as anal or sex or oral sex, which may occur between a man and a woman,
acquired by sexual contact. The organisms that causes STIs may pass from person to
person in semen or vaginal fluids, or through genital contact. Some of these infections
can also be transmitted non-sexually, such as from mother to infant during pregnancy or
contraception for a short period of time. Depending on the method, they require user
action either every time a couple has sex, every day, every month, or every 2 or 3
months. The example of such methods include condoms, oral contraceptive pills, and
injectable.
SPERM: The reproductive cell of the male.
into the vagina to disable sperm. They can be used with other forms of contraception.
pregnancy.
THE SPONGE:A soft foam sponge with spermicide (disables sperm) that is inserted in
the vagina and over the cervix, where it absorbs and disables sperm for up to 12 hours.
TRANSDERMAL PATCH:A small patch that sticks to skin on upper outer arm, lower
abdomen, upper body or buttocks. Contains estrogen and progestin, which are released
slowly and absorbed by the skin, and prevent pregnancy in the same way as oral
contraceptives.
pregnancy or no condom is used to prevent STIs, including HIV. Unprotected sex may
UTERUS: The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ that is located inside a womans
abdomen. The uterus holds a developing baby during pregnancy and has a lining, which
helps to nourish a baby. When a woman is not pregnant, this lining is shed every month
in the form of monthly bleeding. The muscular walls of the uterus are able to expand
and contract to accommodate a growing baby and then help push the baby out during
labor. When a woman is not pregnant, the uterus is only about 3 inches (7.5
VAGINA: The vagina is a canal that joins the cervix (the lower part of uterus) to the
outside of the body. It also know as the birth canal. The vagina is about 3 to 5 inches (8
expand and contract. This ability to expand allows a baby to pass through the vagina
during delivery.
progestin when inserted into the vagina. Remains in place for 3 weeks, and is removed
for one, preventing pregnancy the same way oral contraceptives do.
VAS DEFERENS: The vas deferens is a long, muscular tube that transports mature
sperm from each tescticles to the urethra (which is a tube that carries sperm and urine
REFERENCES& LINKS:
A Guide to Family Planning for Community Health Workers and their Clients. Geneva:
World Health Organization (WHO), 2012. Available at:
http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/family_planning/9789241503754/en/i
ndex.html
Facts for Life. Third edition. UNICEF, WHO, UNESCO, UNFA, UNFPA, UNDP, UNAIDS,
WFP and the World Bank. New York: UNICEF, 2010. Available at:
http://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/infantfeeding/factsoflife/en/index.html
Rhonda Smith et al., Family Planning Saves Lives, 4th ed. (Washington, DC: Population
Reference Bureau, 2009); Population Action International, Voluntary Family Planning:
An Investment in Our World's Future (Washington, DC: Population Action International,
2006); and Ruth Levine et al., "Contraception," in Disease Control Priorities in
Developing Countries, 2nd ed., ed. Dean T. Jamison et al. (New York: The World Bank
and Oxford University Press, 2006).
United Nations, "We Can End Poverty: 2010 Millennium Development Goals," accessed
at www.un.org/millenniumgoals, on Sept. 27, 2010; and Willard Cates Jr. et al., "Family
Planning and the Millennium Development Goals," Science 329, no. 5999 (2010): 1603.
Shareen Joshi and T. Paul Schultz, "Family Planning as an Investment in Development
Evaluation of a Program's Consequences in Matlab, Bangladesh," working paper for the
Yale University Economic Growth Center (2007); and James Gribble and Maj-Lis Voss,
Family Planning and Economic Well-Being: New Evidence From Bangladesh
(Washington, DC: Population Reference Bureau, 2009).