Republic of the Philippines

Province of Laguna
Municipality of Liliw

Municipal Health Office

Liliw Rural Health Unit

POLICY ON FAMILY PLANNING

Every patient/ client has their right in choosing their Family Planning Method whether it is Natural or Artificial.

What is Natural Family Planning?

Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an umbrella term for certain methods used achieve and avoid
pregnancies. These methods are based on observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the
fertile and infertile phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle. Couple using NFP avoid pregnancy abstain from
intercourse and genital contact during fertile phase of the woman’s cycle. No drugs, devices, or surgical
procedures are used to avoid pregnancy. NFP reflects the dignity of the human person within the context of
marriage and family life, promotes openness to life and recognizes the value of the child. By respecting the
love-giving and life-giving natures of marriage. NFP can enrich the bond between husband and wife.

Fertility Awareness

Fertility awareness is a collection of methods using your body’s natural and normal functioning to
determine the days of the month you are most likely to get pregnant. It is also called Natural Family Planning,
the SymptoThermal Method, the Ovulation Method or the Billings Method.

Fertility awareness or Natural Family Planning is a method of birth control that does not use any
harmful devices. It combines the calendar/ rhythm method, basal body temperature methods and cervical mucus
method.

The fertility awareness is used both as a means of preventing pregnancy as well as targeting the most
fertile time for getting pregnant.

What is Artificial Family Planning Method?

Artificial Family Planning method is the process to prevent pregnancy and plan for the birth of children
at the most optimum time. Commonly referred to as birth control, family planning can be accomplished using a
variety of methods. Before you choose a method, there are numbers of factory you should consider.

Artificial Family Planning (AFP) modern methods which purpose is to prevent conception (such as
hormonal, barriers or combinations) but not above abortive methods.

Barrier Method

Barrier methods of birth control physically stop the sperm from getting to the egg, Condoms, the
sponge, diaphragms and spermicides are all barrier methods. Male and female condoms can help prevent the
transmission of sexually transmissible diseases, including HIV, herpes, gonorrhoea and chlamydia. Male and
female condoms and spermicides are available at any pharmacy and many discount stores and are relatively low
in price. Diaphragms are available only with prescription.
Hormonal Methods

Some birth control works by altering the woman’s hormones to make pregnancy unlikely or impossible.
The birth control shot (Depo- provera), the birth control patch, the vaginal ring and some UID’s are examples of
hormonal family planning options. These all require a doctor’s prescription and a medical exam before use.
Hormonal birth control is very effective when used correctly, but some women cannot use them for health
reasons.

Birth Control Pills

The birth control is a type of oral contraceptive that women must take every day. Thus method is best
for women who can remember to take a pill every day and who want the advantage of restoring fertility quickly.
However, this method has risks and not all women can tolerate the hormones.

Long Term Methods

When people do not want to worry about contraception on a regular basis, but may want the ability to
conceive in the future, several long term contraceptive methods can prevent pregnancy. Some of these methods
include the contraceptive shot, vaginal ring, implantable rod and IUD. All of these methods are hormonal and
are not easily reversible but fertility returns after discontinuation.

DRA. MARILOU P. CORDON

Municipal Health Officer