Most women with unplanned pregnancies face multiple contributing factors. From the operational experience of the unplanned pregnancy network, it has been found that most women with unplanned pregnancies either do not use contraception or experience contraceptive failure. Many often use ineffective contraceptive methods, and when they become pregnant, economic problems are the first issue encountered. Following this, they are unable to disclose the pregnancy to others for various reasons, and many are abandoned by their partners. Additionally, there is a desire to continue education or work, which contributes to the unpreparedness for pregnancy. From various research studies and data from counseling services, the factors can be summarized as follows:
Causes of Pregnancy
- Not using any contraceptive methods during intercourse – From the experience of network members in providing counseling both in person and over the phone, it has been found that over 50% of women with unplanned pregnancies did not use contraception.
- Incorrect use of contraceptive methods – For example, forgetting to take pills, not taking pills on time, condoms breaking during intercourse, or not getting contraceptive injections as scheduled.
- Using ineffective contraceptive methods – Such as the rhythm method, withdrawal, or using emergency contraception as a primary method instead of only in emergencies.
- Inconsistent use of contraception – For example, using condoms but not every time during intercourse, or not taking birth control pills consistently every month.
Reasons for Unpreparedness for Pregnancy
When pregnancy occurs, unpreparedness may arise from various factors as follows:
Women’s Health Factors
- Continuing the pregnancy may pose health risks.
- The fetus has abnormalities.
- There are disabilities, serious illnesses, HIV infection, or mental health issues before or during pregnancy.
- Pregnancy occurs at an age that is too old or too young.
Family Factors
- There is violence in the family.
- Poor relationships with a likelihood of separation.
- Pregnancy occurs after separation from the husband.
- Pregnancy outside of marriage.
- Having many children or very young children.
- Inability to provide care, with family or relatives unable to support.
Social or Economic Factors
- Being raped, deceived, coerced, or threatened.
- Having non-consensual sex (not rape).
- The male partner does not take responsibility when pregnancy occurs, or initially takes responsibility but abandons after some time.
- Inability to raise the child, with no family or relatives to support.
- Desire to continue education, not wanting to be expelled from school.
- Desire to continue working, not wanting to be dismissed from work.
- Inability to disclose the pregnancy to family or society.
Women facing the crisis of unplanned pregnancy should receive comprehensive information on options as soon as possible, as the issue of unplanned pregnancy has a time constraint due to the gestational age that requires decision-making. Especially, counseling services that facilitate women with unplanned pregnancies to see solutions and have options to address the problem appropriately and in line with their life conditions, without leading themselves to solutions that negatively impact their health and life. Currently, members of the unplanned pregnancy network have developed various accessible counseling channels, including face-to-face counseling at support centers, adolescent clinics, telephone counseling, chat room counseling, and web boards.
Source: Network for Supporting Women’s Choices in Unplanned Pregnancy