The Director, Post-Pregnancy Family Planning Project (PPFP), Dr. Taiwo Johnson, has charged men across the country to be supportive of their wives during and after pregnancy as it would keep both mother and child healthy as well as the wellbeing of the home.
The expert gave this insight at the collaborative sensitisation workshop of Devcoms and Media Action for Public Health (MAPHE) aimed at equipping health journalists in Lagos on the importance of family planning.
On how spouses can make their homes healthy, the expert recommended the use of family planning methods for healthy spacing of child-birth, boosting family's financial capacity, and keeping both mother and child healthy and alive.
Addressing the men, she said: “Your partner can get pregnant soon after delivery even if she is breastfeeding.”
“For breastfeeding to be an effective form of natural family planning, three conditions must be met,” she continued.
“Her menstruation has not returned after giving birth; the baby is put to breast day and night on demand, no food or water; and the baby must be less than six months old”.
However, she harped on about understanding between couples . “When a woman gets pregnant, there must be proper understanding between the couple on the best method of family planning to use after child delivery.
According to Johnson, effective family planning would reduce maternal deaths by 30 per cent and further develop the nation.
She further described post pregnancy family planning as the prevention of unwanted and closely spaced pregnancies during the first 12 months after delivery.
According to the PPFP expert, PPFP covers the period of pregnancy till one year after child birth, irrespective of the pregnancy outcome, especially as this is the period when pregnancy poses the greatest risk to the mother and baby.
She added: “Post Pregnancy Family Planning is designed as an integral part of RMNCH services. Hence, this is the period where pregnant women need the full support of their husbands.”
“The best time to discuss family planning method is when she is pregnant. It must be done before the arrival of the baby. A pregnant woman should find out the facts from the family planning provider,” she urged.
Used as a method for healthy child-birth spacing, the expert warned that although some women may experience side effects with the use of family planning, they are temporary and can be managed. “You can support your partner during this period.”
On if a woman could have more children after use of family planning, the PPFP director gave her blessings. “Temporary family planning methods are safe. Once discontinued, a woman will return to fertility”.
She encouraged women to visit any registered hospital with the green logo to speak with a family planning provider.
She, however, charged the Lagos State government to work more with private health facilities if the state needed to attain its goal in achieving quality healthcare for her citizens.
Seeing the benefits of family planning to families and the nation, the director disclosed that PPFP plans to cover 240 private health facilities in Lagos State before the project expires.
“Currently, PPFP has its presence in 193 private health facilities across 19 local government areas in the state, ensuring pregnant women and nursing mothers are well catered to,” she said.
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