Suitable method of family planning

She felt stupid for not giving heed to any of the family planning methods she was taught during her post-natal visits to the hospital.  Another scenario is that of Aisha Tanko, a 50-year-old woman in Pasu village. After her last delivery, the doctor asked to see her alongside her husband. Aisha’s husband could not understand […]

She felt stupid for not giving heed to any of the family planning methods she was taught during her post-natal visits to the hospital. 
Another scenario is that of Aisha Tanko, a 50-year-old woman in Pasu village. After her last delivery, the doctor asked to see her alongside her husband. Aisha’s husband could not understand why the doctor wanted to see him since his wife had a safe delivery. After much persuasion by his wife, he followed her to the hospital. The doctor explained to them that Aisha is hypertensive and after having eight children, child bearing has become very risky and could take her life. He advised the couple on the various family planning methods and why it has become so necessary for Aisha.
Aisha’ s husband found this unimaginable as he saw his mother  deliver children until she reached menopause and wondered why is wife who looks younger than his mum should stop having children. In any case, he thanked the doctor and promised they will think about it. After, a year Aisha became pregnant again.
Dr. Nathaniel Adewole, Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital explained the various forms of family planning techniques available and what determines the one to be used by any woman.
“When we talk of family planning; we have the natural method, the oral pills, injectables and the intrauterine device (IUD). The IUDs are hormone impregnated. Then we have the mechanical barriers like condoms.  All are effective except for the degree of efficacy.
“I must say that what may be suitable for one woman may not be suitable for another. To choose any one, the gynaecologist must look at the history of the woman and see the one that is suitable.  The oral contraceptive is good and 95 per cent effective, but there are conditions if you don’t want to use it. For someone who has hypertension or persistent migraine, you don’t want to use it.
“When you talk about injectables, one of their side effects is irregular bleeding.  For a woman who has irregular bleeding, you don’t want to use injectables.  Remember the injectables are hormones, so, for a woman you don’t want to use pills for.  The advantage of the injectables is that it is given in 2 to 3 months intervals and the pills are daily, so the tendency of not taking the pill is higher. Hence failure occurs.
“The IUDs too are very effective. There are conditions where you don’t want to use them. For a woman who is having regular bleeding, you don’t want to put IUD for her, because the IUD is inserted in her uterus to prevent pregnancy.  Also, a woman who is in a polygamous family, you will not want to use IUD for her, because there may be transfer of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) through that. The advantage of IUD is long lasting. There are some of them that can last up to ten years.
“Then you have the mechanical ones like the condoms. This has dual advantage. It protects against pregnancy and STDs.  But the failure rates of condom are much higher than other methods like the injectables,” Dr Adewole explains.
Can a woman   use two forms of family planningat the same time? Dr Adewole’s says, “No, because there will be no need for that. For instance, the IUD may contain what is in the injectables, but what can be done is, for instance a man can use the condom while the woman can use the gel and cream which are also method of contraceptives. These gel and creams contain hormones. They are part of the hormones that are used for injectables,” Adewole said.
Dr. Adewole offers advice for people who do not believe in any form of family planning. “I would say if you are not planning your family, you are planning to fail. People are having children they are not able to train and this becomes a burden on the society.  So, what we need is the family planning education for both the male and female. The role of men is critical, because even if a woman believes in this, the man may not.”