Family planning (kb) and its benefits from a medical lens

Do you still remember the exclamation of "Two Better Children", which has been the motto of the Family Planning (KB) program since the late 70s? This motto has made an impression on the minds of the people even though it faded after the reform era. Since the government continues to encourage it again, let's first find out what the purpose and benefits of the family planning program from a medical point of view.

What is the family planning program?

Family planning or more familiarly known as family planning is a national scale program to reduce birth rates and control population growth in a country.

For example, the United States has a family planning program called Planned Parenthood.

The family planning program is also specifically designed to create progress, stability, and economic, social and spiritual welfare for every resident.

Moreover, family planning is also regulated in Law No. 10 of 1992, which is run and supervised by the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN).

The form of the family planning program is the use of contraceptives to delay and prevent pregnancy.

The following types of contraception are most commonly used:

Condom
Family planning pills
IUD
Injection
KB implant / implant
vasectomy and tubectomy (permanent family planning)

The family planning program has been proven to reduce the birth rate in Indonesia

The Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS) data from the BKKBN show the trend of the total birth rate (total fertility rate/ TFR) in Indonesia has actually experienced a decline.

At the end of 1991, the total birth rate was recorded at 3%. Recent records report that the total birth rate in Indonesia has managed to drop to 2.38 children per woman in 2019.

Although the total number of births is declared to have decreased, this figure has not yet reached the target of the Renstra (Strategic Plan) which aims to reduce the TFR by up to 2.1 children per woman.

Likewise, the use of contraceptives is still low, namely around 57.2%. Meanwhile, the target of active participants is around 61.2%.

That is why the government plans to continue the Family Planning program campaign to achieve this target by the end of 2019.

Benefits of the family planning program (KB)

Family planning programs are not solely designed to meet government targets.

When viewed from a medical point of view, this program actually has many benefits, including the physical and mental health of each family member.

Not only mothers, children and husbands can also feel the effects of this program directly.

Moreover, when you and your partner are still delaying and still preparing for pregnancy.

Here are the benefits of running a family planning program:

1. Prevent unwanted pregnancy

In Indonesia, there is an estimated 20% incidence of unplanned or unwanted pregnancies of the total number of pregnancies recorded in the population of married couples.

This indicates that access to information and knowledge about contraception is still low.

Unlike promil, an unplanned pregnancy can occur in women who have never been or have been pregnant but don't want to have children.

This incident could also occur because of the inappropriate timing of pregnancy, for example the distance between the ages of the first and second children is too close.

There are various risks of health complications that may occur due to unwanted pregnancy, both for the mother herself and the baby.

Unplanned and unwanted pregnancies can increase the risk of preterm, low birth weight (LBW) babies, to birth defects.

While the risks to the mother include depression during pregnancy and after childbirth (postpartum), to complications of childbirth.

Quoted from WHO, the use of contraceptives can prevent long-term health risks related to pregnancy for women.

Therefore, it is important for every couple to know family planning and the importance of planning a pregnancy before sexual intercourse.

2. Reducing the risk of abortion

Unwanted pregnancies due to not carrying out a family planning program have the very risk of increasing the number of illegal abortions which can be fatal.

Basically, Indonesian law states abortion is illegal with certain exceptions.

Abortion is strictly regulated in Law Number 36 of 2009 concerning Health and Government Regulation Number 61 of 2014 concerning Reproductive Health.

Based on these two rules, the abortion procedure in Indonesia can only be done under the supervision of a team of doctors after being based on strong medical reasons.

For example, due to high risk pregnancies that threaten the life of the mother and / or fetus, rape victims, and certain emergency cases.

Apart from that, the act of abortion is illegal and is included in the realm of criminal law.

In fact, most cases of abortion in Indonesia are carried out in secret with procedures that do not comply with medical standards. As a result, the risk of maternal and fetal death from abortion is very high.

3. Reducing maternal mortality

Getting pregnant after the family planning program is actually beneficial for women's health. It has been explained a little above that an unplanned pregnancy can increase the risk of complications including maternal death.

Pregnancy and childbirth complications are mostly indicated by groups of women who marry too early.

Collaborative data from BPS and UNICEF Indonesia reports that girls aged 10-14 are five times more likely to die from complications than pregnant women aged 20-24 years.

Some of the risks of complications that must be faced by girls who become pregnant at a young age are obstetric fistula, infection, heavy bleeding, anemia, and eclampsia.

This can happen because a girl's body is not physically or biologically "mature" yet. As a result, they will be more at risk of suffering the effects of a pregnancy that was not planned carefully.

The risk of these complications may also occur if you become pregnant more and more close to each other.

The good news is that various causes of maternal death due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth can actually be prevented, one of which is by joining the family planning program.

Apart from emphasizing the importance of contraception, this program also provides access to services to plan the correct timing, number and distance of pregnancies for each couple.

4. Reducing infant mortality

Women who are pregnant and give birth at an early age can be one of the causes of premature births, low birth weight, and malnutrition.

Reports say that babies born to very young women have a higher risk of premature death than older mothers.

This happens because the fetus competes for nutritional intake with the mother's body, because both are still in the development stage.

Babies who do not get enough nutrition and nutritious blood will be stunted or even fail to develop in the womb.

5. Help prevent HIV / AIDS

One of the most common and easiest to find contraceptive methods is condoms.

Unfortunately, many people are still reluctant to use this contraceptive because they feel that condoms actually reduce pleasure during sexual intercourse.

In fact, the use of condoms is not limited to preventing unwanted pregnancies in family planning programs.

Condoms can also prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV / AIDS.

In women, contraception can reduce the risk of spreading the HIV virus from an infected mother to her baby. Therefore, the risk of babies becoming infected with HIV after birth decreases.

6. Maintain mental health of the family

Even though it is bitter to hear, in reality not all children resulting from an unplanned pregnancy are classified as physically and mentally prosperous for the rest of their life.

An unwanted pregnancy has the potential to rob children of their right to grow optimally from all aspects. Starting from growing and developing biologically, socially, and education.

Remember, every child who is born has the right to receive genuine love from parents. So, of course the presence of the baby needs to be well prepared.

On the other hand, women are also very prone to experience depression during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Especially if pregnancy occurs at a young age or even when you and your partner are not ready to have children.

Men can also experience depression during pregnancy or childbirth, because they are not ready physically, financially, and mentally to become a father.

Through the family planning program, you and your partner can determine for themselves when is the right time to have a baby.

This will allow you to better prepare for pregnancy physically, financially, and mentally.

Family planning programs can also help you plan for your little one's future more carefully.

Furthermore, the family planning program can provide opportunities for you and your partner to develop your potential before you feel confident about building a family.

Whether it's pursuing a career, continuing your studies to a higher level, or honing the abilities you have.