How couples can control childbirth

Mrs. Akum James (not real name) walked into a hospital, cuddling her eight-week-old baby, with her husband as she asked for a midwife. Mrs. Liyatu Esubihi attended to her, and Akum complained that she had been feeling sick and needed help.

A pregnancy test was conducted and Akum tested positive. “This can’t be. How is it possible? My wife just put to bed barely two months ago. How do we cope?” Mr. James said and demanded an abortion.

But the midwife told him that was not possible, adding  his wife could lose her life in the process. The couple remained in the hospital with the midwife until closing hours as they kept pleading. She advised them to register for antenatal and a family planning programme where they would learn how partners could copulate without having an unplanned conception.

By evening, Mr. and Mrs. James left and never returned.

“We don’t know what happened to the mother, two-month-old baby, and the unborn child. I hope she survived,” Mrs. Esubihi narrated at a family planning empowerment program organised by Rotary Club of Abuja in Sandralia Hotel on Friday, September 11.

At the event, Mrs. Esubihi said a woman could become pregnant six weeks after childbirth, or even when she menstruates, so long as she still ovulates, she is fertile. She added that it is important couples answer the question: “How many children do we want to have, when, and how do we have them?”

The event aimed at educating nurses and midwives on family planning and birth control seeks to teach couples how they can control childbirth and reduce maternal and child mortality and morbidity in Nigeria.

Mrs. Foluke Adejuyitan, participant of family planning programme said, there are different types of plans to control childbirth; it could be for male or female, simple or complex, natural or artificial. She added that while some plan can last for a few weeks or months, others can last up to 12 years or stay a lifetime.

“Men’s family planning starts from the simplest ‘male condoms’ to most complex ‘vasectomy’.  Vasectomy is a permanent irreversible plan; currently the only reliable contraceptive option available to men. It is a minor surgical procedure where the duct that conveys sperm from the testicle to the urethra is tie or cut.  The myth about Vasectomy is that a man would not be sexually active, however, that is not the case; a man will experience normal erection and have sexual intercourse but will not be able to impregnate a woman.  The challenge is that it is not reversible.”

Other types of plans for women according to Mrs. Adejuyitan includes oral pills, and injectable among others.

“Oral pills are administered to women from six after childbirth to six months, and another pill is given from six months after the first dosage of the pill is concluded. These will help the woman not to conceive while still nursing her newborn baby.

“Injectable, as the name implies, comprises of a set of injections administered to women to protect them from pregnancy over a period; they include; Noristerat, Depo-Provera, and Sayana Press. Noristerat is an artificial progestin preparation, which resembles the natural female hormone progesterone. We administer it in doses of 200 mg, it gives two months’ protection from pregnancy while Depo – Provera and Sayana Press protect you from pregnancy for 13 weeks,” she said.

Mr. Yohanna Kosau, another participant in charge of Kuzape, AMAC Municipal council expressed his delight in the additional knowledge gained during the programme. He elaborated on other plans that can help couples control childbirth.

“Intrauterine Device IUD is a small piece of flexible T shaped plastic and copper device inserted in the uterus. There are two types of IUD; first is Mirena, it is impregnated with hormones and can last for five years. Copper IUD can last for 12 years although, it is removable anytime the woman feels like. It serves as synthetic hormones that indicate to the organs that the woman is already pregnant and she cannot conceive.”

According to Mr. Kosau, implants usually done under the skin or the less used upper arm can help partners prevent pregnancy over a period. He added that there are two types of implantation; Implanon and Jadelle. While Implanon lasts for three years, Jadelle lasts for up to 5 years. We also have Tubal ligation; it is a permanent form of contraceptive because it involves tying the fallopian tubes.

“While Barrier methods involve the use of male and female condoms, natural method is achievable when a woman records her menstrual circle for 6-months to 1-year and choose to have sexual intercourse only during her safe period,” he said.

Umar Saidu, another participant from Abaji Area Council while explaining effects of family planning said, contraceptives have been tested and proven. “As simple as paracetamol and the food we eat are, they sometimes have side effect. In cases of contraindication or underlying medical conditions, it’s important to seek medical advice. However, its advantages far outweigh disadvantages”, he said.

Explaining further, he said: “Oral pills sometimes cause slight headache, nausea, and irregular bleeding. IUD when inserted in the uterus of a poor hygiene woman may make her prone to infection. It may lead to heavier than normal periods, spotting between periods, irregular periods, or bleeding because the body might repulse the foreign body. More serious but rare UID side effects may include shifting in the uterus.  Side effects of implants may include pain, or tenderness at the site of insertion, redness after insertion.”

Mr. Saidu explained some factors that can lessen or eliminate the side effect of IUD. He said:  “Good hygiene like washing under wears daily, cleaning the toilet regularly, being faithful to one’s partner, avoiding the use of non-sterile materials like tissue paper, and cotton wool while menstruating. Use of sterile pads or neatly cut washed and sun-dried pieces from fabrics Minimize visiting public toilets can ease the IUD side effect.

Momoh Mariam, Family Planning Coordinator FCT, and master trainer said, the benefits of family planning cuts across every aspect of life; economically, socially, emotionally, and otherwise. She added that, when couples engage in family planning, they save the extra cost of feeding, accommodation educational expenses. She added that the burden is lessened on the parents and society at large.

Organizers of the event, Rotary Club of Abuja in collaboration with Rotary Action Group for Reproductive Maternal and Child Health and the Rotary Club of Gwinnett Atlanta USA expressed delight in the turnout of participant and facilitators.

Dr Kolawole Owoka, Past District Governor, Rotary International said, one cardinal role of Rotary was to reduce maternal and child health mortality and morbidity in Nigeria.

“We discovered that frequency of pregnancy might lead to complications that would cause death of mother, child or both. Childbirth only when ready and spacing is important because two to three years allows women gain back lost nutrient and blood lost during delivery. It is in this light that nurses and midwives are trained on family planning and child spacing,” he added.

In a closing remark, President of the Rotary Club of Abuja, Obioha Iheazor, thanked all Rotarians and organizer for their supports and  urged all participant to ensure that they keep supporting family planning and educate their local communities and the society wherever they find themselves.