Another name for this method of birth control is the Lactational Amenorrhea Method. Literally, it means that breastfeeding prevents the nursing mother’s body from producing the hormones that cause ovulation (release of eggs) and a return to fertility.
Exclusive breastfeeding helps prevent pregnancy during the first six months after delivery in some women, but it is advisable to rely on this temporarily and only when it meets carefully observed criteria of the lactational amenorrhea method.
To impact positively on fertility, women should breastfeed at least every four hours during the day and every six hours at night. Apart from breastfeeding, any other type of feeding for the child should be between five and 10 per cent of the total quantity of food that the child consumes. For instance, one formula feeding out of every 10 might increase the chance of fertility returning. If this schedule cannot be followed, consider using an additional form of birth control. When the menstrual period returns after pregnancy, another form of birth control is needed.
This method has been found to be 98 per cent effective during the first six months after childbirth, as long as the conditions are fulfilled. When menstrual bleeding resumes, the risk of pregnancy increases greatly.
One of the advantages is that a woman has no menstrual periods during this time. On the other hand, the disadvantage is that when a woman is fertile again is uncertain. Frequent breastfeeding may be inconvenient. This method should not be used if the mother is HIV positive.
Douching is a method of rinsing out the vagina, which some people erroneously think will prevent pregnancy. In fact, it can increase a woman’s chance of developing an ectopic pregnancy, a serious condition that can be life threatening, by causing an infection in the reproductive organs. Also, it changes the delicate chemical balance in the female sex organ and may allow an infection to grow or spread an infection into other pelvic organs such as the uterus. It actually increases the chance of developing pelvic inflammatory disease and transmitting STDs.
The condom is a thin sheath that a man wears on his erect male organ before he inserts it in his wife’s organ. A condom worn by a man prevents pregnancy by acting as a barrier to the passage of semen into the vagina. A condom can be worn only once. It is one of the most popular barriers methods of birth control.
Condoms made from latex are the best for preventing pregnancy. Do not use condoms with petroleum jelly, lotions or oils. They can reduce its effectiveness and increase the chance of pregnancy and the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.
Condoms can be used with lubricants that do not contain oil. The female condom prevents pregnancy by acting as a barrier to the passage of semen into the vagina. Wives, if you are using the female condom, do not let your husbands use a condom at the same time because they may stick to each other and lead to slippage or displacement of either device. If you have a choice between the two, have your husband use a condom for better protection. The diaphragm, which is another form of barrier method for wives, is a shallow latex cup with a spring mechanism in its rim to hold it in place in the vagina. When inserted with spermicide before sex, it prevents pregnancy by acting as a barrier to the passage of semen into the cervix.
Spermicidal chemicals are commonly used as reversible method of birth control. When a woman quits using them, full fertility returns. They are not as effective as many other forms of birth control when used alone.
Also, they contain a chemical that kills sperm or makes them so inactive they cannot enter a woman’s cervix.
An Intrauterine Device is a small T-shaped plastic object that is placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy. There are two types of IUDs: copper and hormonal.
Copper IUDs prevent sperm from being able to reach the egg. They immobilise the sperm on the way to the fallopian tubes. If an egg becomes fertilised, implantation on the wall of the uterus is prevented because copper changes the lining of the uterus.
Hormonal IUDs, a small amount of progestin or a similar hormone, is released into the uterus. These hormones thicken cervical mucus and make it difficult for sperm to enter the cervix. They slow down the growth of the uterine lining, making it inhabitable for fertilised eggs.
The IUD is one of the most effective kinds of birth control available. IUDs start working right away and can be removed at any time. The risk of side effects is low. They can be inserted six weeks after childbirth.
Wives who use a copper IUD after childbirth can breastfeed safely. The wife or husband does not feel the presence of an IUD. The copper IUD can remain in place up to 10 years
Birth control pills, also known as oral contraceptives, are designed to improve safety and reduce side effects. They are to be taken by mouth and swallowed with a liquid. A wife begins to take a pill on the first day of her period or the first Sunday after her period has begun. The pills prevent ovulation (release of an egg) and thus prevent pregnancy.
Birth control pills are used to treat irregular menstrual periods. Birth control pills prevent certain conditions, such as benign breast disease, pelvic inflammatory disease, and functional cysts.
Functional cysts are reduced by the suppression of stimulation of the ovaries. Ectopic pregnancies are prevented by the cessation of ovulation. Birth control pills have been known to prevent certain ovarian and endometrial cancers.
Problems associated with birth control pills include nausea, breast tenderness, weight gain, breakthrough bleeding, no periods, headaches, depression, anxiety, and lower sexual desire.
If a wife stops taking birth control pills, it may take her a few months to get her normal ovulatory cycle back. Some wives may be at risk for blood clots (venous thrombosis). Heavy smokers (especially those older than 35 years) are particularly at risk. Others include women with high cholesterol levels and those that have severe cases of diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.
Also, the implant method, which consists of inserting six silicone rubber rods, about the size of matchsticks, under a woman’s skin in her upper arm, is suitable for birth control. The rods can be seen under the skin and felt. The implant releases medication throughout the period of use and begins to work within the first 24 hours.
Protection may be provided for five years. During that time, the hormone stops ovulation and implants last a long time. A wife can become fertile again once the implants are removed through surgery.
An injection of a synthetic hormone is another type of birth control method, which can be given every three months to stop ovulation.
Sterilisation is considered a permanent method of birth control preferred by many married couples. Although tubal sterilisation, or a tubal ligation, for wives and vasectomy for husbands can sometimes be reversed, surgery is much more complicated than the original procedure and may not be successful.
Thus, when choosing a sterilization method the married couples should not have think of future reversal. A handful of Nigerian wives opt for this particular type of birth control method.
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