They are all under family planning, each with the method which seems to be less risky both for their health and for their reproductive cycle. However, these women interviewed fear the side effects of modern long-lasting contraceptive methods.
“I do family planning to space births. It was offered to me in the maternity ward, after my delivery. It’s the first time. But since then, I have felt pain when I am on my period, even though I no longer see it. They have stopped since I had my implant,” complains Soukeyna, a young girl in her twenties and resident in Thiaroye-Sur-Mer.
Married at the age of 18, to her cousin, in the middle of the school year, she confides that she had no idea of married life. The girl soon contracted her first pregnancy after a year of marriage. She remembers that this pregnancy almost cost her her life during childbirth. And so, it was after having had her baby that the midwives offered her the plan. Which she accepted with suspicion. “I’ve been doing it for just two years, while I breastfeed my son. But, it’s not something I plan to continue,” continues our interlocutor, a little embarrassed.
However, Soukeyna confides that she opted for the implant with her husband’s agreement. Which is the opposite for Astou, a young married lady living in the same neighborhood. She started using long-term contraception under pressure from her husband, who no longer wishes to have more children. “Contraception is not my choice. In my life, I have always refused family planning because of the side effects. But, there, I have no choice,” says Astou, looking down. Thirty years old, the mother is breastfeeding her fifth baby, barely a month old. She opted for pills.
However, Astou regrets the silence of midwives on the side effects of contraceptive methods. After the birth of her fourth daughter, she took the pill continuously every day for more than two years. Which caused him complications.
In the maternity ward, there is silence on the harmful effects of planning
“In the maternity ward, no midwife told me about the effects. They don’t explain anything on this point. They just tell you how to take the tablets. I had stomach pains that took me to the hospital after my first experience. And it was the advice of the doctor who consulted me that day that saved me. I then stopped. I resumed taking after the birth of my last daughter,” she confides.
Family planning is also the business of certain men like Amath, who believes that it is only beneficial for the woman. “It allows women to space births and be in good health. In addition, family planning helps the woman to rest while she breastfeeds her child properly. Personally, I campaign for family planning. In addition, it allows parents to take better care of their children,” he maintains. Unlike some men, this man, from rural areas, refuses to believe in the alleged harmful effects of long-term contraception. “For me, these are rumors. The problem is linked to the fact that some women do not keep their appointments,” defends Amath.
Mariama DIEME
