Get to know the Family Planning Program that you need to know, see in full

Family planning or more familiarly called KB 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. Family planning programs are also specifically designed to create progress, stability, prosperity. economic, social, and spiritual aspects of each resident. Family planning is a program that 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 contraceptives are most often used:

-Condom
-​​​​​​Family planning pills
-IUD
-KB injection
-KB implant or implant
-Vasectomy and tubectomy (permanent family planning)

Data from the Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (SDKI) from the BKKBN states that the trend in the total fertility rate (TFR) in Indonesia has actually decreased. At the end of 1991, the total birth rate was recorded at 3 percent. Meanwhile, the latest records report that the total birth rate in Indonesia managed to drop to 2.38 children per woman in 2019.

Likewise, the use of contraceptives, which is still relatively low, is around 57.2 percent, while the target for active participants is around 61.2 percent. That is why the government plans to resume the Family Planning program campaign in order to achieve this target.

Family planning programs are not solely made to meet government targets. From a medical point of view, this program actually has many advantages, including the physical and mental health of each family member. Not only mothers, children and husbands can also feel the benefits or effects of the family planning program directly. The benefits of family planning can even be felt when you and your partner are still delaying and still preparing for pregnancy. The following are the various benefits of running a family planning (KB) program. In Indonesia, there are approximately 20% incidents of unplanned or unwanted pregnancies from the total number of pregnancies recorded in the married couple population. This indicates that access to information and knowledge about contraception is still relatively low. In contrast to the pregnancy program (promil), unplanned pregnancies can occur in women who have not or have been pregnant but do not want to have children. This incident can also occur due to the wrong time of pregnancy, for example, the age gap between the first and second children is too close.

There are various risks of health complications that may occur due to an unwanted pregnancy, both for the mother herself and the baby. Unplanned and unwanted pregnancies can increase the risk of premature birth, low birth weight (LBW), and birth defects. Meanwhile, the risks to the mother include depression during pregnancy and after giving birth (postpartum), to childbirth complications. Quoted from WHO, the use of contraceptives can prevent long-term health risks associated with pregnancy for women. Therefore, it is important for every couple to know about family planning and the importance of planning a pregnancy before having sex. Unplanned pregnancies due to not undergoing a family planning program have a high risk of increasing the number of illegal abortions which can be fatal. Basically, Indonesian law states that abortion is illegal with certain exceptions. The act of 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 regulations, abortion procedures in Indonesia can only be carried out under the supervision of a team of doctors after being based on solid 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. Beyond that, the act of abortion is declared illegal and belongs to the realm of criminal law. In fact, most cases of illegal abortion in Indonesia are carried out secretly with procedures that do not comply with medical standards.

Previously explained a little above that unplanned pregnancy can increase the risk of complications, including maternal death. Complications of pregnancy and childbirth are mostly indicated by the group of women who marry at an early age. Data from the collaboration of BPS and UNICEF Indonesia reports that girls aged 10-14 years have a 5 times greater risk of dying from complications than women who are pregnant at the age of 20-24 years. Some of the risks of complications that must be faced by pregnant girls at a young age are obstetric fistula, infection, heavy bleeding, anemia, and eclampsia. This can happen because a girl's body is not yet "ripe" physically or biologically. As a result, they are more at risk of experiencing the effects of an unplanned pregnancy. The risk of various complications is also possible if you are getting pregnant with close distance. 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 a family planning program. In addition to emphasizing the importance of contraception, this program also provides access to services to plan the time, number and spacing of pregnancies that are right for each couple.

Therefore, family planning programs are expected to prevent the risk of dangerous diseases. Although it is bitter to hear, the reality is that not all children resulting from unplanned pregnancies are classified as physically and mentally prosperous throughout their lives. Unwanted pregnancies have the potential to rob children of their rights to grow optimally from all aspects, ranging from biological, social, and educational growth and development. Remember, every child who is born has the right to get sincere love from parents. So, of course, the presence of the baby needs to be carefully prepared.

On the other hand, women are also very susceptible to depression during pregnancy and after giving birth, 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 their wife's pregnancy or childbirth because they are not physically, financially, or mentally ready to become a father. Through a family planning program, you and your partner can determine for yourself when is the right time to have a baby. This will allow you to better prepare for your pregnancy physically, financially and mentally. Family planning programs can also help you plan for your little one's future more maturely. Furthermore, the family planning program can provide an opportunity for you and your partner to develop your potential before you feel determined to start a family. You can plan to pursue a career, continue your studies to a higher level, or hone your skills.

Created by : dr. Ulky Nur Mulkia Prio

Reviewed by : dr. Risa Risfiandi, Sp.OG