Do not rush to get married and give birth

From hastily getting married to giving birth

Lack of knowledge on reproductive health leads to unwanted behaviors such as having sex without preparation, suffering from sexually transmitted diseases, or having an unintended pregnancy, which are thought to be things of the past, but they turned out not to be. Even in 2020, many people are still getting married and giving birth hurriedly because of unsafe sex and unintended pregnancy.

Thao is a sophomore at a university in Hanoi, but she is pregnant. The unintended pregnancy was beyond her and her boyfriends expectations. Thao's family was stunned when they heard that their daughter was pregnant and insisted on an abortion. In reality, she is going to school is not the only reason. The more significant reason is that Thao's family worries that she still depends on her parents economically while her boyfriend hasn’t had a steady job. They are afraid that Thao and her boyfriend cannot take care of themselves and their child. Finally, thanks to Thao's determination and the support of her boyfriend and her family, the child was kept while Thao was busy getting married.

Planning to have a child is happiness for the whole family

Unlike Thao's situation, Vy is an office worker in Hanoi who was married and had a first child. According to the family's plan, Vy would give birth the second child when her oldest son reaches 5-years-old.. Vy's family wanted to give priority to Vy's older sister to give birth first so that her parents could support the baby caring. Despite the intended plan, Vy and her husband did not use any contraceptive methods. As a result, Vy “broke the family plan” after giving birth to the first child for a year. Hearing that the daughter was pregnant a second time, contrary to the same radiant expression as last time, Vy's mother was angry. She was heated partly because she could not support her oldest daughter. However, she was more frenzied because Vy and her husband hadn't settled down to work  and couldn’t take good care of themselves and their children with unstable income.

Taking responsibility for yourself

Speaking to someone irresponsible to themselves and their family when having unprotected sex and unintended pregnancy can hurt their feelings, but it is indeed the case. Back to the story of Thao, soon after the wedding, Thao gave birth. When Thao's child was less than one month, Thao had to leave the child to her parents. Then, she was continuing to go to school. But it did not stop there. When Thao's first child was less than one year old, Thao was pregnant with the second child. This was unexpected. She only knew that she was pregnant when her menstruation period came late than usual. This news did not bring happiness to her family. They were upset because Thao just graduated from university and didn't have a job. Her family's income depended on her husband.

Keeping the genital area clean and healthy is also a way of reproductive health care

According to Nguyen Minh Hoang - Master of Social Work, Program Officer of For Vietnamese Stature Foundation, educational activities on reproductive health and sexual health need to be maintained regularly and continuously to avoid “re-illiteracy”. Moreover, it is not simple to fill the gap from having the right knowledge to the proper practice. Knowledge can be effortlessly obtainable, but it takes many efforts and determination to practice strictly and not give up or “click your tongue”. Between knowledge and practice, there are also emotions and attitudes. Therefore, each individual needs to understand this to intervene for them and their spouse his wife/ partner to achieve safer behaviors.

Master Nguyen Minh Hoang gave an example. If the husband wants to have sex without contraception, while the couple is not ready to get pregnant, the wife must firmly refuse. When one person refuses, whether fear of pregnancy or any other worry, the other person is not forced. In particular, when and how many children should have, there is a need for discussion and consensus between the couple based on factors-related considerations such as health, work, income, ability to take care of squirrel, and so on.

Using condoms is the most effective way to prevent sexually transmitted diseases

Meanwhile, according to Dr. Tran Thi Minh Tam, Former Head of Department of Reproductive Health Care of Soc Son Health Center (Hanoi), although public knowledge about reproductive health is higher than before, the knowledge and skills of specific population groups are still low. The reason behind this is a proportion of the population that still has unsafe sex behaviors leading to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Comprehending a little or half-heartedness knowledge causes subjective psychology, disregard for not carefully researching information to strengthen knowledge and practice suitably.

To take significant responsibility for effective contraception, according to Dr. Tam, young couples in reproductive age should prepare home contraception, such as condoms, emergency contraceptive pills. Also, they can use longer-term contraceptives such as oral, birth control shots, and birth control implants. And to support contraception as well as reproductive health care more effectively, besides searching for information on the internet, Dr. Tam advises that young couples can download contraceptive applications, such as the recently developed Newchoice Reminder Contraceptive Application.

Health workers, trade union officials can help with health care advice at work

How to avoid unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases as well as take care of reproductive and sexual health, are some of the goals set out by VSF when cooperating with the parties to implement “For Mother and Baby - For Vietnamese Stature” project. The project purposes to improve the health of women of reproductive age in industrial zones to improve the physical and mental health of children.

Besides these activities related to reproductive health such as staff training, communication for workers, and mobile reproductive health exams for women, the project also has essential health activities about nutrition and depression during pregnancy. In the 4th year of project implementation, For Vietnamese Stature Foundation (VSF) has cooperated with Hai Phong Women's Union, Hai Phong Labor Union, and continued to receive financial support from TH Group, DKT International, Golden Choice Company, as well as Hoa Linh Pharmaceutical Company.

Reference: Vietnam Women's Newspaper

To achieve the optimal and comprehensive effect for the project, Golden Choice Co., Ltd. - the contraceptive pill distributor, has officially launched a new contraceptive application called “New Choice Reminder”. During 25 years of accompanying consumers, Newchoice always understands and wishes to bring safe and effective contraceptive solutions to the community. The investment and construction of the Newchoice Reminder Application is one of the new steps in the brand's development strategy, helping women to have a safe and simple contraception.

Currently, Newchoice Reminder Application is available on IOS and Android. Let’s check the user guide and download it here.