www.chitraltimes.com

Unwanted pregnancy in Family Planning

By: Shireen Lalani

Pregnancy is a part of a woman’s life but a woman’s life should not be defined by it. In many societies, however, the fact is that bearing and raising children does define a woman. She does many things in her life, but she is only given recognition for one of them.”(Nafis Sadik, 1998). Pregnancy is an element of a women’s life, it is one of the most loving moments of her life. If a woman does not want to give another birth yet becomes pregnant and doesn’t wish to continue is unwanted pregnancy. The result of it will be of two types, either she discontinues it by abortion or she will continue her pregnancy and the child will become her unwanted child. In both of conditions women and child health will be compromised and end up in lethal effects.

Many researches support the facts that there is a high prevalence of unwanted pregnancies in Pakistan. Unwanted pregnancies raise the rate of unsafe abortion and increases maternal mortality rate. The first demographic survey conducted in Pakistan in 1960s claims that about one third women wished to avoid pregnancy but were not practicing any method of family planning due to many reasons and results in unwanted pregnancy (Ansari, 1994). In Pakistan, as in many Islamic and South Asian countries, induced abortion is against the law except to safe the woman’s life. Nevertheless, many women suggest an abortion rather than give birth to the child they cannot afford. Induced abortion appears to be a common and accepted choice for Pakistani women when they have an unwanted pregnancy (Sami et al, 2001, Rehan et al, 2001). Reproductive Health and Family planning survey 2001-2002 supports that there is not actual data related to the rate of induced abortion but it is estimated as 30 percent of total pregnancies (Sami et al, 2001, Rehan et al, 2001). The induced abortion leads to post abortion complications such as, infection in uterus, incomplete abortion, heavy bleeding, and damage to cervix, post partum hemorrhages and eclampsia. One quarter or one half of maternal deaths is due to unsafe abortions. Sami et al, 2001, Rehan et al, 2001 say that Pakistan has a high maternal mortality ratio, ranging from 400 to 1400 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Whenever researches talk about the causes of maternal mortality it always alleges post abortion complications which can lead to higher maternal mortality rate.

Prevention of unwanted pregnancy should always contend at highest priority, because it may lead a child into parent’s ignorance, failure to thrive and increase criminal activity. If a child is unwanted always parents critics him or her. Most of the parents object that child to be a part of their family and at last the child became a neglected child. There are many researches which advocate the reasons of failure to thrive in relation to unwanted pregnancy. Majority of cases of failure to thrive in infants and young children did not cause by any disease. They are directly or indirectly claim to either unwanted pregnancy or young age parents. Mostly unwanted children suffer from malnutrition, failure to thrive and many life threatening conditions. Giving birth to a child does not mean to give birth only; it desires lot of affection and love from parents. If a parent is not completely satisfied from their lives they can not give the love and affection which a child requires from them. Lack of resources, low socioeconomic condition and increase number of children are some of the reasons due to which parents are not able to provide a good attention to a child which he/she needs to grow. Neglect child is mostly results from those pregnancies which are results from illegal sexual activities such as, rape or illegal sexual affairs. Not only this, but these are the ones who in future develop the drug abuser society and indulge in different criminal activities. The major cause of becoming most vulnerable part of our society could be lack of love from parents or from other siblings. This kind of population is always dangerous not only for society but also for the country.

There are various factors leads to unwanted pregnancies; one is unmeet need of family planning. As compared to other Asian countries and countries in other regions, the level of unmet need is higher in Pakistan (Hennink, M., Stephenson, R., & Clements, S. 2001). Most of the population is still unaware of family planning methods though couple want to plan a family but they do not have any resources that how they can use these family planning methods. Population should take out of darkness (unawareness). Some couple has knowledge about family planning but they are not using it because it is not agreed by the husband or religion. What comes in the way of family planning is the ignorance, not the religion. Islam does not make any restriction on family planning. Even the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) knows that some of his companions, including his cousin Ali, practices al-‘azl (coitus interruption) and yet did not argue the practice. Among the five major traditional Islamic schools of thought, the majority of Hanafis, Malikis, Ja’faris (Imamis) and Hanbalis supported the practice of al-‘azl, subject to wife’s consent. So it is proved that Islam does not restrict the practice of family planning. If a couple consult a good doctor or any family planning centers present in their area and registered by the government they properly explained them pros and corns of each method and help them in choosing a method which is suitable for the couple. There are some people who have enough knowledge, do not have any restriction from any of spouse and other family members. They end up in unwanted pregnancy because of not regularly using it. Family planning methods safe guards’ individual health and rights, preserves our planet’s resources, and improves the quality of life for individual women, their partners, and their children.

In conclusion, unwanted pregnancies have great impact on the health of women and child heath. According to me family planning is the best answer to unwanted pregnancy. I recommended every couple to plan their family in proper manner so they could avoid unwanted pregnancy which is lethal not only for women but also for child health.