Healthy Timing and Spacing of Pregnancy FAM Cindy Uttley

Healthy Timing & Spacing of Pregnancy Fertility Awareness Methods

Cindy Uttley, Community Health Advisor

HTSP An emphasis on health of mothers & children, not size of family

“Which…do you think was a neighbor?” “The one who had mercy on him.” “Jesus told him, ’Go and do likewise.’”

“Woman, has no one condemned you? “Then neither do I condemn you.”

This morning….. • Barriers • Advantages • Samaritan’s Purse

Approach

Barriers to use of HTSP methods

• Fear • Disapproval • Access

Fear • Side effects – either

minor or serious • Existing disease

conditions • Failure

Disapproval • Spouse • Religious leaders • Family • Community

Access • Cost • Availability • Ease of use • Cooperation of partner

Advantages of Fertility Awareness Methods

• Effective & affordable

• No side effects • Includes partner

Effective & Affordable • 95% effective • Minimal to no cost • Easy to use • No need for follow-up visits

to health center

No Side Effects • Use only as needed • Normal menstruation • No impact on mood • No physical changes • No serious health problems

Includes Partner • Promotes communication • Provides woman with

“leverage” • Mutual responsibility • Infrequent intercourse

Fertility Awareness Methods

• Standard Days • TwoDays • Lactational

Amenorrhea

Standard Days Method • “Cyclebeads” - low cost • Daily reinforcement • Cycles of 26 -32 days • Adaptable to context

TwoDays Method • Vaginal secretions • Simple to learn • “If I am wet today, I can get

a baby today or tomorrow”

Lactational Amenorrhea Method

• Exclusive breastfeeding • No menstruation • Prevents ovulation

Samaritan’s Purse Approach

• Evolving • Involves Local Church • Care Groups • Future?

Evolving • Emphasis on local church • Awareness raising &

referral • Teaching FAMs, homemade

“cyclebeads”

Involves Local Church

• Biblical view of women & marriage

• Literacy, livelihoods, health promotion

Care Groups • Support Groups • Training of Trainers • Wide coverage • Consistent, contextualized

messaging • Include sessions with men

Future

• Expand promotion of TwoDays method

• Possible pilot projects

Thank you!

www.samaritanspurse.org

Health & Medicine