Intended and Unintended Pregnancy, and Safe Abortion
Intended and Unintended Pregnancy
Read the case below and answer · the following questions:
A teenage girl became pregnant. At first, she did not tell anyone about this. Her best friend suspected that she might have some problem and asked. "Why didn't you talk to anyone yesterday?" She was shocked by her friend's words. At first, she tried to deny that nothing had happened. Her friend was not satisfied with her answer. After repeated requests from her friend, she told me everything. One day, when she was alone at home, a man forcibly assaulted her. Even when she tried to plead, he forcibly raped her. She was afraid and did not tell anyone about this. She has not had her period for two months. When she did not have menstruation in the first month, she waited for the next month. Even after the second month, she did not have periods. She was worried.
After hearing everything from the girl, the friend told her that there was a woman in the village who would have an abortion for an unwanted pregnancy. The next day they met the woman and requested her to abort the pregnancy. The woman pressed the teenager's stomach and fed her illegal drugs. Then she bled a lot. Small lu1nps of the flesh also fell along with the clots of blood. Her bleeding did not stop. After some time she fainted. Seeing this, the woman was also scared. The friend immediately called her mother and took the girl to the village health post. The doctor treated the girl free of cost and confidentially.
The girl expressed her concern to the doctor that she would not be able to get pregnant or become infertile after this incident. The doctor explained that infertility can be caused by unsafe abortion as well as other reasons. This problem can be caused not only by women but also by men. He also said that infertility can be cured if treated on the. The doctor also advised that if someone is infertile, they should start the treatment process after consulting a doctor. After resting for a few days, the girl felt better. After that, she started going to school regularly. With the help of the school and parents, the man who raped was punished according to the law.
Questions for discussion:
(a) Why could the girl not tell anyone that she was raped?
(b) Why was the method used by the woman to abort the teenage girl not correct?
(c) Where should one go for safe abortion in case of unwanted pregnancy?
(d) What did the doctor say about the causes and treatment of infertility?
Safe Abortion
Abortion performed in a recognized institution by a health worker as per law with the consent of a pregnant woman is called a safe abortion. Safe abortion is a reproductive right of women. As mentioned in the Safe Abortion Service Process, if the doctor advises that the life of the pregnant woman concerned will be in danger, the woman's health will deteriorate physically and mentally, the child will be born with a disability, and the pregnancy can be aborted. Similarly, the law has recognized the use of equipment for safe abortion of pregnancies up to 12 weeks. In addition, there is a provision to abort a pregnancy up to 18 weeks in case of rape and incest. Abortion can only be done with the woman's consent, but if the woman is unconscious or under 16 years of age, parental consent is required.
The law prohibits abortion without the consent of the pregnant woman after identifying the gender and after 12 weeks. Abortion within 3 months is very safe. Therefore, delaying abortion brings high risk. Abortion is not a means of family planning but it is a forced choice. Provisions of various punishments have been made in the law to convey this message. It is considered a legal offense if someone aborts, except in cases where abortion is necessary. If an abortion is carried out with the intention of abortion or by doing something knowing that the pregnancy may be aborted. The person who aborts will be punished according to the law. There is the provision of up to one year imprisonment in the case of pregnancy up to 12 weeks, three years imprisonment in the case of pregnancy up to 25 weeks, and imprisonment to five years in the case of more than 25 weeks.
Family Planning Methods and Their Classification
The embryo develops in the uterus after the union of the male sperm and the female ovum. That's the pregnancy. Thus, this process of fertilization is called pregnancy. The act of preventing or stopping pregnancy is called contraception. Contraception can be done through natural and artificial methods. These methods prevent pregnancy by preventing the union of sperm and ovum or preventing the release of the ova. These services are provided free of charge in health institutions. There are two types of means and methods of contraception that can be used by both men and women, they are temporary and permanent.
Temporary Devices family planning
Contraceptive devices used for a fixed period are called temporary devices. They are as follows:
A. Condoms
A condom is a contraceptive device that is applied to a man's penis before sexual intercourse. Since the ejaculated semen remains inside it, when a condom is used during sexual intercourse, sperm and egg cannot meet and pregnancy does not occur. It prevents conception as well as transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. Users should use a new condom every time during sexual in- intercourse. A condom that has been used once cannot be used again. Women also can use condoms just like men.
B. Contraceptive Pills
Tablets taken by women for birth control are called pills. This is a pill mixed with hormones. This pill should be taken regularly at the same time every day. If a couple wants to have a child, they can conceive within a few days after stopping its use.
C. Dipoprovera Injection
Dipoprovera is also known as the three-month injection. This needle is inserted into a woman's arm or buttock. If you want to prevent pregnancy, this injection should be administered within seven days of menstruation. A single injection prevents pregnancy for three months.
D. Implant
The implant is a hormonal method of contraception. In this method, human-friendly rubber that looks like two sewing needles is inserted into the skin of the woman's arm by a trained health worker. It should be kept within the first seven days of menstruation. It acts as a contraceptive for five years. If a woman with an implant wants to become pregnant, it can be removed at any time with the help of a trained health worker.
Copper T/IUCD
Copper T is a T-shaped contraceptive device made of plastic. It is wrapped with fine copper wire. It is placed inside the woman's uterus by a trained health worker. It prevents pregnancy for 12 years. It deactivates the sperms that come with the man's se1nen during the course and prevents conception. A woman who wants to prevent pregnancy should have copper T placed inside her uterus within 12 days of her period.
Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP)
If you have sex without any other means or method of contraception, if a condom breaks, or if you have unsafe sexual intercourse, you can prevent pregnancy by using emergency contraceptive pills. This pill should be taken within 120 hours of intercourse. The sooner you take the ECP, the better it will work. It should not be used as a means of regular family planning.
Permanent Methods of Family Planning.
A permanent method of contraception is a method used to prevent pregnancy in the future. This method is also called sterilization. Permanent methods of contraception are as follows:
A. Vasectomy
Vasectomy is a method of permanent 1nale sterilization. During a vasectomy, the vas deferens are cut and tied through a small hole in a man's scrotum. Due to this, the sperm cannot come out and the ovum does not get fertilized and the pregnancy does not occur.
B. Minilap
Minilap is a method of permanent female sterilization. In this method, the fallopian tube of the woman is cut and tied. By doing this, the ovum is not allowed to come out and go to the uterus so the sperm can- not get the ovum and prevent pregnancy. A woman should complete a minilap within 45 days of delivery or within seven days of menstruation.
Natural Method of Family Planning
Contraception can also be done through natural methods, but natural methods are not so reliable. This includes the breastfeeding method, vaginal ejaculation method, safe period intercourse schedule, temperature measurement method, etc.