Family Planning

Ensuring Informed ChoiceIMPORTANT: A friendly counselor who listens to a woman’s concerns,answers her questions, and gives clear, practical information about theprocedure—especially its permanence—will help a woman make aninformed choice and be a successful and satisfied user, without later regret(see Because Sterilization Is Permanent, p. 174). Involving her partner incounseling can be helpful but is not required.11Female SterilizationThe 6 Points of Informed ConsentCounseling must cover all 6 points of informed consent. In someprograms the client and the counselor also sign an informedconsent form. To give informed consent to sterilization, the clientmust understand the following points:1.2.3.4.5.6.Temporary contraceptives also are available to the client.Voluntary sterilization is a surgical procedure.There are certain risks of the procedure as well as benefits.(Both risks and benefits must be explained in a way that theclient can understand.)If successful, the procedure will prevent the client from everhaving any more children.The procedure is considered permanent and probably cannotbe reversed.The client can decide against the procedure at any time beforeit takes place (without losing rights to other medical, health, orother services or benefits).Providing Female Sterilization173