Pakistan was one of the first countries in South Asia to start the family planning programme. But the country is still struggling to control the growth in population.
With the passage of time, various natural methods of family planning and reproductive health have scientifically developed and are showing positive results. The Billings Ovulation Method (BOM) of natural family planning is one such method based on scientific observation of the changes in the cervical mucus.
The Billings Ovulation Method (BOM) acts as a reproductive health ‘early warning system’ -- alerting women irregularities in their reproductive health, especially asymptomatic and sub-clinical dysfunctions, that might otherwise go unnoticed. The BOM has universal value in that any women regardless of age, stage of life, education level or reproductive irregularities, can learn the method with confidence.
It works both ways for women: to avoid as well as achieve pregnancy. The scientific validity of BOM and its efficacy for avoiding pregnancy is 99.5 percent and for achieving pregnancy the success rate is 73 percent, based on the Australian trails in 2021. It is an affordable, low-cost, high impact initiative, and can be easily integrated into current health promotion structures.
One of the biggest advantages is that it can be provided as an alternate method of family planning for women who do not want to take contraceptives for medical, religious, husband pressure or any other reason. It is helpful in three ways for the couples, to achieve pregnancy, to avoid pregnancy and to monitor woman’s reproductive health on day-to-day basis. Those couples who are infertile (without any major medical problem) or sub-fertile can equally benefit from this method.
Unfortunately, only the artificial methods of family planning are taught in our medical colleges, nursing schools and other related institutes. This is the reason that medical community is not aware of the scientific developments of Billings Ovulation Method.
An Australian, Dr. John Billings, first developed the BOM in 1953. Today, it is the most advanced method of natural family planning.
In mid-70s, WHO conducted hundreds of trials of the ovulation method all over the world, and suggested to Dr. John Billings that they should use Billings with this method to differentiate it with other methods based on female ovulation.
In 1980s and 1990s, Dr. John Billings with his team made several trips to China on the invitation of the Chinese government. Dr. Billings and his team trained thousands of Chinese teachers in this method from various provinces. Since then, BOM became the key component to control the population in China. The Chinese health department has adopted BOM as part of their population control programme. The independent trials in India (Indian Council of Medical Research Task Force 1995) and China (Jiangsu Family Health Institute 1997) have reported that the method is 99 percent effective in avoiding pregnancy if the guidelines are accurately followed.
The BOM mostly works with poor people. We have also collaborated with the Ministry of Population Welfare, Punjab, and trained couples, nurses, midwives, LHVs and family health workers. We have learned that for the effectiveness of this method, the following steps must be taken:
The mohalla-level religious leaders should be included in the programme toadvocate family planning.
With the passage of time, various natural methods of family planning and reproductive health have scientifically developed and are showing positive results. The Billings Ovulation Method (BOM) of natural family planning is one such method based on scientific observation of the changes in the cervical mucus.
The Billings Ovulation Method (BOM) acts as a reproductive health ‘early warning system’ -- alerting women irregularities in their reproductive health, especially asymptomatic and sub-clinical dysfunctions, that might otherwise go unnoticed. The BOM has universal value in that any women regardless of age, stage of life, education level or reproductive irregularities, can learn the method with confidence.
It works both ways for women: to avoid as well as achieve pregnancy. The scientific validity of BOM and its efficacy for avoiding pregnancy is 99.5 percent and for achieving pregnancy the success rate is 73 percent, based on the Australian trails in 2021. It is an affordable, low-cost, high impact initiative, and can be easily integrated into current health promotion structures.
The Billings Ovulation Method (BOM) acts as a reproductive health ‘early warning system’ -- alerting women irregularities in their reproductive health, especially asymptomatic and sub-clinical dysfunctions, that might otherwise go unnoticed.
One of the biggest advantages is that it can be provided as an alternate method of family planning for women who do not want to take contraceptives for medical, religious, husband pressure or any other reason. It is helpful in three ways for the couples, to achieve pregnancy, to avoid pregnancy and to monitor woman’s reproductive health on day-to-day basis. Those couples who are infertile (without any major medical problem) or sub-fertile can equally benefit from this method.
Unfortunately, only the artificial methods of family planning are taught in our medical colleges, nursing schools and other related institutes. This is the reason that medical community is not aware of the scientific developments of Billings Ovulation Method.
An Australian, Dr. John Billings, first developed the BOM in 1953. Today, it is the most advanced method of natural family planning.
In mid-70s, WHO conducted hundreds of trials of the ovulation method all over the world, and suggested to Dr. John Billings that they should use Billings with this method to differentiate it with other methods based on female ovulation.
In 1980s and 1990s, Dr. John Billings with his team made several trips to China on the invitation of the Chinese government. Dr. Billings and his team trained thousands of Chinese teachers in this method from various provinces. Since then, BOM became the key component to control the population in China. The Chinese health department has adopted BOM as part of their population control programme. The independent trials in India (Indian Council of Medical Research Task Force 1995) and China (Jiangsu Family Health Institute 1997) have reported that the method is 99 percent effective in avoiding pregnancy if the guidelines are accurately followed.
Unfortunately, only the artificial methods of family planning are taught in our medical colleges, nursing schools and other related institutes. This is the reason that medical community is not aware of the scientific developments of Billings Ovulation Method.
The BOM mostly works with poor people. We have also collaborated with the Ministry of Population Welfare, Punjab, and trained couples, nurses, midwives, LHVs and family health workers. We have learned that for the effectiveness of this method, the following steps must be taken:
- Contraceptives and sterilisation alone cannot control the population of Pakistan. Couples must be provided some alternate methods such natural fertility regulation of BOM. All trainers and mobilisers must be trained in some alternate methods of family planning.
- Family planning without the training/cooperation of husband is incomplete.
- Family planning ads in print and electronic media should be revised to give a complete message. The ads should focus on all segments of society -- illiterate, semi-literate, literate.
- Separate pre-marriage counseling sessions for boys and girls should be given on priority basis.
- Ministry of Population should use FM radio and TV to discuss family planning issues and guide the listeners and viewers.
The mohalla-level religious leaders should be included in the programme toadvocate family planning.