COMINSUD/UNFPA: Family Planning Isn't Just About Contraception. There's More To It.

Martial Gnoukapasi

Most people feel that family planning is limited to deciding whether to have children or not, and the number of children you plan on giving birth to.

However, health expert David Ayem, chief executive officer of African Reproductive Health Services(AREF) says it goes beyond that to also include what it takes to choose a partner. 

Family planning as he insists, is feeling satisfied with the family you have. He threw more light on the subject matter to MNews237:

"Family planning is actually the knowledge, acquired on how to make a family. For someone to have a satisfying family, such a person needs to acquire knowledge on what it takes to build a family. It's a whole combination of ideas that guides someone to know how to make a family which stems from;

- What it takes to choose a partner to marry.

- Deciding as to whether to have children or not, and at the end feeling satisfied with the family that you have. There's what we called contraception which comes into family planning and that part deals with prevention of pregnancy and it's very important for everyone who wants to indulge in making a happy family. It's important because every month in the life of a woman, there's a possibility that she can be pregnant if she gets involve in a sexual affair especially during ovulation.

It's important to note that, 2-3 months after birth, a woman's fertility can return. So it's imperative for couples to asked themselves this question - If you give birth to a child today, are you ready for another one after 2 or 3months!!? This is where the knowledge of contraception is important. To help people get pregnant only when they wish to be pregnant. If they don't, then they can now engage any of the methods of contraception"

 Family planning he adds benefits all the members of the family. That's the mother, father, children not leaving out the community, nation and society at Large. David Ayem once more.

 "When you have a responsible home with responsible children, they are going to spread to be responsible children in the community and this attitude will be replicated every other home in that community. They're equally financial benefits because it helps you to save as u won't spend money on unplanned issues. 

It's so unfortunate that in our community today, there are married people who are still being surprised by pregnancy. And when that obtains, they start looking for ways to terminate it. This shouldn't be the case when it can be avoided with the knowledge of family planning.

In essence, it's important to give birth to the number of children you can take care of".