How many children are you planning to have to build your own family in the future? What methods are you planning to use? Questions that couples must take into consideration and agree on before starting a family. Family planning allows people to attain their desired number of children and to determine the spacing of their pregnancies as defined by the World Health Organization. It is cost-effective and lessens the financial burden of families as it allows parents to cope to the additional expense brought about by the coming of a new member. It can be achieved through the use of different effective methods. Lactational Amenorrhea Method is one of the methods for effective family planning. “Lactational” means related to breastfeeding, “Amenorrhea” means not having monthly bleeding. This is a temporary method of contraception for new mothers whose monthly bleeding has not yet returned. During this period, eggs are not released and so pregnancy cannot occur.
Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) is a modern temporary and natural family planning method based on the natural infertility resulting from particular patterns of breastfeeding with three (3) required conditions: 1) Fully or exclusive breastfeeding; 2) Menses have not returned since childbirth; and 3) Baby is not more than six (6) months old.
Effectiveness depends on the individual. As commonly used, about 2 pregnancies per 100 women using LAM in the first 6 months after childbirth. This means that 98 of every 100 women relying on LAM will not become pregnant. When used correctly, LAM has been found effective with less than 1 pregnancy per 100 women using LAM in the first 6 months after childbirth.
These are the following advantages of LAM: High effectiveness for postponing pregnancy; simple to use; LAM does not require charting or abstinence; provides benefits of breastfeeding practice; and generally acceptable to most, if not all, culture and religions.
Lack of knowledge and access to services of family planning can have a major impact on health and nutrition. Family planning is a choice, as a couple choose their methods wisely. Seek advice from health workers and practitioners and decide with your partner what is best with both of you as a couple.
NO I Zhalimar A. Jakaria-Patulada
Natural Family Planning – Handbook for providers
https://popcom.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/NFP-Handbook.pdf
Chapter 20 Lactational Amenorrhea Method
https://www.fphandbook.org/chapter-20-lactational-amenorrhea-method