Causes of unplanned pregnancies in Thailand

From the compilation of various research studies, including data from alternative counseling services, it was found that the reasons for women having unplanned pregnancies stem from various factors, summarized as follows:

Causes that lead to pregnancy

1. Not using any contraceptive methods during intercourse. From the experience of network members in providing counseling both in person and over the phone, it was found that over 50% of women with unplanned pregnancies became pregnant because they did not use contraception.
2. Incorrect use of contraceptive methods, such as forgetting to take pills, not taking pills on time, condoms breaking during intercourse, not getting injections as scheduled, etc.
3. Using ineffective contraceptive methods, such as the rhythm method, withdrawal, or using emergency contraception as a primary method instead of only in emergencies.

Reasons that make the pregnancy unplanned
When pregnancy occurs, the lack of readiness may stem from various reasons as follows:

Women’s health issues

1. The pregnancy affects the woman’s health.
2. The pregnancy affects the health of the fetus.
3. Disability, illness, or mental conditions before or during pregnancy.
4. HIV infection.
5. Pregnancy at an advanced age.
6. Pregnancy at a very young age.

Family-related reasons

1. Violence occurring in the family.
2. Poor relationship between partners, with a chance of separation.
3. Pregnancy after the woman has separated from her husband.
4. The pregnancy is out of wedlock.
5. The family has economic problems, with many children.
6. Unable to raise the child, with family and relatives not ready to support.

Social or economic reasons

1. Pregnancy from rape, deception, coercion, or threats.
2. Unwilling sexual intercourse (but not rape).
3. The man is irresponsible, abandoning the woman when she becomes pregnant.
4. The woman wants to continue her education and does not want to be expelled from school.
5. The woman wants to continue working and does not want to be dismissed from her job.
6. The woman cannot disclose the pregnancy to society or her family.

A woman with an unplanned pregnancy often has more than one contributing reason. From the experience of the unplanned pregnancy network, it was found that most women with unplanned pregnancies did not use contraception or used it incorrectly. Many also used ineffective contraceptive methods. When pregnant, economic problems are the first issue encountered, followed by the inability to disclose the pregnancy for various reasons, abandonment by the man, and the desire to continue education or work. These issues contribute to the lack of readiness for pregnancy.

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, alternative counseling services should 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.

Society, family, and those around should understand the causes and origins of the unplanned pregnancy issue without prejudice, to give women with unplanned pregnancies the opportunity to reflect and find solutions to the problem, choosing a path that leads themselves and their families to a better life, and to create a society with quality members in the future.

Source: Network supporting women’s choices with unplanned pregnancies