Family Planning
Natural family planning includes two methods: The Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) and the Lactational Amenorrhoea Method (LAM).
- Fertility Awareness Method (FAM): Helps identify fertile and non-fertile days by recording fertility indicators:
o Basal body temperature: A slight increase lasting more than three days indicates the end of the fertile period.
o Cervical secretions: Increased volume and clear, slippery secretions indicate approaching ovulation.
o Changes in the cervix: The cervix becomes high, soft, and open during the fertile window.
o Length of menstrual cycle: Helps identify ovulation and fertile days.
- Lactational Amenorrhoea Method (LAM): Utilises breastfeeding to prevent ovulation. Three criteria must be met:
o Complete amenorrhoea
o Full or nearly full breastfeeding
o Less than six months postpartum.