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Goals/Objectives
Instructional Procedure
Focusing Event/Ice Breaker
See suggestions in Ice Breaker page OR Select a current article that relates to family planning and/or birth control. Summarize the article to/for the group, pointing out relevant information or areas of interest. Ask for feedback from the group and allow the discussion to flow from their ideas and concerns.
Teaching Procedure
Assess the level of awareness concerning topic.
What do they know about the menstrual cycle, birth control and contraception?
Facilitate discussion and participation
Encourage sharing of opinions/experiences or questions/concerns.
The Menstrual Cycle
The average length of a menstrual cycle is 28 days. A normal cycle length may vary from 21 to 35 days.
Cycle length his calculated by counting the number of days from the onset of one period to the onset of the next period.
Individual variability: few women's cycle is exactly the same length every month. Month to month variations in a woman's cycle may be plus or minus 2 days although greater normal variations may occur.
Length of period usually from 2-8 days but here again there is wide variability.
Family Planning / Contraception
Abstinence is the only full proof method of avoiding unplanned pregnancy but because this is not the choice for many, it is important to understand other contraceptive choices.
Most contraceptive methods require that women understand the changes that occur throughout her menstrual cycle.
Any women choosing (natural family planning) methods of contraception must be very aware of what is normal for her.
Basal Body Temperature:
A Woman must taker her temperature every morning upon awakening in order to detect ovulation.
Temperature readings must be recorded on a temperature graph.
After three to four months of recording temperatures, the women with a regular cycle should be able to predict when ovulation will occur.
Temperature sometimes drops just before ovulation and almost always rises and remains elevated for several days.
To avoid conception, the couple must avoid intercourse on the day of the temperature rise and for three days after.
Rhythm Method/Calendar Method:
To use this method, the women must record her menstrual cycles for 6 to 8 months so that the shortest and longest cycles can be identified.
The fertile phase is calculated from 18 days before the end of the shortest recorded cycle through 211 days from the end of the longest recorded cycle. Example: If a woman's cycle lasts from 24 to 28 days, the fertile phase would be calculated as day 6 through day 17. For effective use of this method, one must abstain from intercourse during the fertile phase.
Other forms of birth control include the use of condoms, birth control pills, diaphragm, intrauterine devices, Norplant and Depo-Provera.
Barrier Methods
A condom covers the penis and prevents sperm from entering the vagina. It only works if used correctly, never reuse a condom and use only latex condoms and water-based creams or lubricants.
Condoms or other barrier forms of contraception reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS.
The diaphragm works by creating a seal over the cervix thus preventing sperm from reaching the released egg. The diaphragm must be in place at least 45 minutes prior to sexual intercourse to ensure proper placement. It is wise to use a spermicide (a foam or cream that kills sperm) with the diaphragm to increase effectiveness.
An intrauterine device (IUD) blocks the passage of sperm into the uterus. A doctor must insert an IUD and because some menstrual irregularities may occur, regular check-ups are recommended.
? Methods
Birth control pills effect the production, release, and/or implantation of the egg. The pill is 99% effective when taken at the same time every day. It is very important never to miss taking a pill. If this occurs follow instructions provided with your particular pills or call your doctor.
Norplant is a device that is placed under the skin that can provide birth control for up to five years. It works by preventing ovulation in most women and causes the production of thick mucous secretions that inhibit sperm from entering the uterus.
Depo-Provera is an injection that provides highly effective birth control for 3 months. This method, which acts primarily by suppressing ovulation, is safe, convenient, and relatively inexpensive.
FORMATIVE CHECK/PARTICIPATION
Prepare questions and answers relevant to the issues discussed.
Write each question and answer on separate slips of paper.
Place all the slips of paper with questions in one basket and all the slips of paper with answers in another.
Have half of the group pick one slip of paper from one basket and half from the other so that half of the group has an answer and the other half has a question.
The group member with question # 1 will ask the question out loud and the members with the answers must identify that they have the correct answer to the question by calling out the answer written on the slip of paper.
To ensure all relevant material is addressed, it may be necessary to prepare several groups of questions depending on the size of the group. Thus, if there are 10 group members and 20 relevant questions prepare 2 sets of questions and answers ñ essentially, play the game as many times as needed to ask all the questions.
CRITICAL POINTS
Abstinence is the only foolproof method of avoiding unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
It is imperative that a woman understands the changes that occur during her menstrual cycle to effectively choose contraception.
Regardless of method chosen, women should educate themselves and follow appropriate instruction to ensue effectiveness of the chosen method.
CLOSURE
Closure should include a short question session followed by a brief uplifting statement or quote.