Reproductive Health and Birth Control

Let me define these two important and controversial issues today based on WHO and WebMD and I quote:

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

"Within the framework of WHO's definition of health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, reproductive health addresses the reproductive processes, functions and system at all stages of life. Reproductive health, therefore, implies that people are able to have a responsible, satisfying and safe sex life and that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when and how often to do so.

Implicit in this are the right of men and women to be informed of and to have access to safe, effective, affordable and acceptable methods of fertility regulation of their choice, and the right of access to appropriate health care services that will enable women to go safely through pregnancy and childbirth and provide couples with the best chance of having a healthy infant."

BIRTH CONTROL

"Birth control is any method used to prevent pregnancy. There are many different methods of birth control including condoms, IUDs, birth control pills, the rhythm method, surgical sterilization, and tubal ligation."

CREDITS

I want to share with you my own experience concerning my health and using birth control or contraceptives.  My husband and I used the rhythm and withdrawal method of contraception. After the birth of our second child, I used to try pills but they had unpleasant effects on my system so I immediately stopped. 

For almost 10 years, we carried on this type of natural way but, unexpectedly this thing happened:

My blog entry dated Oct 30 2008...

I should have memorized this method... I should have known better now,,, It's been eight long years since we started this natural way of controlling our family. We're almost complete, we have a daughter and a son, AYA and KD. Although my husband and I actually talked about plans of having another angel in the family, we're still having second thoughts of going through that same stage again. But I believe that there's a reason why things happen beyond our expectation.

I am waiting for my monthly period to come but unfortunately, it did not. Where did I go wrong? Maybe, I gave in so early but I have counted it right. It's my safe day. I had my first flow last September 23 so, my infertile period would be October 12 to probably 19 until my next period comes.

CREDITS:

Number 1 in red indicates my first day which is September 23

October 20 came... then 21, 22, 23... and my most awaited never arrived. I decided to do self-test and this result is what I got:

self-test turned to be positive

No doubt, the two lines mean that I am positive of HCG or Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. I already have our third baby in my belly.

Every woman has the right to choose whether or not she will use any contraception or just rely on natural method. Couples should be responsible enough to decide what's best for their family.  The issue at hand regarding Reproductive Health and Birth Control depends on our own beliefs.  Our FAITH may affect our decision but let the DIVINE intervention enlighten all of us.