…As clients use services for health, financial reasons

In an era where women are increasingly empowered to make decisions about their bodies and families, the importance of using family planning products and services to plan and manage families, was brought to the fore recently.

Recent discussions among women in Orile Agege, Local Government Area (LGA) of Lagos State, highlighted personal experiences and the vital role of healthcare providers in educating, providing and supporting family planning initiatives.

This latest family planning outreach at the council where women resident around that environment converged not only for the uptake of family planning services but for counselling, was organised by the Development Communications Network (DEVCOMS) with funding support from The Challenge Initiative (TCI), the platform that empowers local governments to rapidly and sustainably scale high-impact practices and other interventions to benefit urban poor communities.

Experience

While sharing her experience, 32 year-old, Temitope reflected on her journey through motherhood and family planning. Married in 2019, she welcomed her first child shortly thereafter.

According to her, as her firstborn approached five years of age, Temitope prepared for the arrival of her second child who was delivered just five months ago.

Her decision about using family planning was made collaboratively with her husband, an action that emphasised the importance of spacing children for both health and financial reasons. “We agreed to have a five-year gap between our children,” Temitope explained.

“This way, I can focus on each child without feeling overwhelmed.” She said that her husband was instrumental in this decision, advocating for a timeline that would allow them both to enjoy parenting without the stress of having children too close in age.

Temitope, during this outreach which was held last Friday, received a five-year family planning injection method; she is optimistic about its effectiveness.

“I didn’t feel anything after the procedure of administering it on me,” she remarked. “My advice to other women is to plan their lives to avoid unwanted pregnancies.”

Mothers’ perspectives

Similarly sharing her perspective, Nofisat Ismail, a student from Osun State, recently gave birth to her baby girl just a month ago. Her experience with family planning is still new, but she is keenly aware of its importance.

Nofisat said she learned about family planning options through a friend, who informed her of the Orile Agege outreach programme which also focused on educating women about family planning services.

“I didn’t initially plan to do family planning right away,” Nofisat admitted. “But after discussing it with my husband, I realised it would be beneficial to wait a few years before having another child.”

She expressed a desire to let her children grow before expanding her family, aiming for a four-year gap between pregnancies. Nofisat’s story reflects the common sentiment among women who feel the pressure of balancing family responsibilities with personal aspirations.

Through outreach programmes such as the one that was held at Orile Agege, women like Nofisat gained access to critical information that empowered them to make informed decisions on family planning.

Also sharing her experience, Alhaja, a 36-year-old mother of four, spoke on her family planning journey. Married since 2012, she initially planned for three children, two boys and a girl.

Her husband, however, preferred to have just two children. Their family dynamics shifted when Alaja experienced the joy of motherhood with the birth of her first son in 2013, followed by another son shortly thereafter.

Eventually, she was blessed with twin girls after using family planning. “The gap between my first and second son was short,” Alhaja explained. “I got pregnant with my second son while still breastfeeding my first.”

However, recognising the need for family planning, she opted for an injectable method to space her pregnancies. Alhaja’s proactive approach stemmed from her desire to manage her family effectively.

“After my second son, I wanted to ensure I didn’t face the same challenges as before,” she noted. After a year of using family planning injections, she returned to the hospital to explore options for expanding her family, leading to the birth of her twin girls.

Healthcare providers

Nurse Otoki Comfort, a Reproductive Health and Family Planning Manager in Agege Local Government, plays a significant role in facilitating these educational outreach programmes.

“Many women have misconceptions about family planning, fearing it will prevent them from having children in the future,” she explained. “Our goal is to educate them and provide the necessary support so they can make informed choices.”

The outreach programme not only provides information but also offers free services to women who might otherwise face barriers accessing healthcare. Nurse Comfort emphasised the importance of community engagement in overcoming these challenges.

“We conduct these outreach events monthly, visiting various locations to reach as many women as possible,” she stated. These initiatives are particularly crucial in areas where women may be hesitant to visit healthcare facilities due to cultural stigmas or misconceptions about family planning methods.

“By coming directly into the community, we can address these concerns and encourage women to take control of their reproductive health,” Nurse Comfort added.

Concerns and misconceptions

One of the primary concerns women express regarding family planning is the fear of side effects. However, nurse Comfort addressed these fears by providing clear information about what to expect and how to manage potential issues.

“If a woman experiences side effects, we encourage her to return and discuss her concerns. We can adjust her method if necessary,” she explained. Alhaja also shared her experience with family planning methods, emphasising she did not feel any side effects.

“I didn’t have any issues with the injections,” she stated. “The only thing I noticed was that I didn’t have my period for several years, but it didn’t affect me negatively.”

Collective effort

The conversations among women like Temitope, Nofisat, and Alhaja, combined with the supportive efforts of healthcare professionals like Nurse Comfort, illustrate the collective effort to promote family planning in local communities.

As more women become informed about available family planning options, they are empowered to make choices that align with their personal and familial goals.

Family planning is not merely a health issue; it is a vital aspect of women’s empowerment and community development. Through education, support, and accessible services, women can take charge of their reproductive health, ultimately contributing to healthier families and stronger communities.

The ongoing outreach efforts in Lagos serve as a beacon of hope, guiding women toward a future where they can confidently plan their families and lives.