Family Planning

Explaining How to Use1. Give pills ó Give as many packs as possible—even as muchas a year’s supply (11 or 13 packs).2. Explain pill pack ó Show which kind of pack—28 pills or 35 pills.óóExplain that all pills in POP packs are the samecolor and all are active pills, containing ahormone that prevents pregnancy.Show how to take the first pill from the packand then how to follow the directions orarrows on the pack to take the rest of the pills.3. Give key ó Take one pill each day—instruction until the pack is empty.óóDiscuss cues for takinga pill every day. Linkingpill-taking to a dailyactivity—such ascleaning her teeth—may help her remember.Taking pills at the sametime each day helps toremember them.4. Explain starting ó When she finishes one pack, she should take thenext pack first pill from the next pack on the very next day.óIt is very important to start the next pack ontime. Starting a pack late risks pregnancy.5. Provide backup ó Sometimes she may need to use a backupmethod and method, such as when she misses pills.explain useó Backup methods include abstinence, male orfemale condoms, spermicides, and withdrawal.Tell her that spermicides and withdrawal arethe least effective contraceptive methods. Giveher condoms, if possible.6. Explain that ó Without the additional protection ofeffectiveness breastfeeding itself, POPs are not as effectivedecreases when as most other hormonal methods.breastfeedingó When she stops breastfeeding, she can continuestopstaking POPs if she is satisfied with the method,or she is welcome to come back for anothermethod.2Progestin-Only PillsProviding Progestin-Only Pills35