member’s article EXPLORING UNINTENDED PREGNANCY IN INDONESIA: A NEGLECTED ISSUE by Gabrielle Adani - SCORA CIMSA UI
I
n an ideal setting, a woman usually plans and prepares for a pregnancy appropriately. Furthermore, pregnancy is often the most awaited thing by newlyweds. Children complete the family, as children are often considered to fulfill joy and happiness in a family. However, do you know that unintended pregnancy in Indonesia reached 17,5%? Besides, there are 420,000 unwanted pregnancy cases in March-September 2020 alone, according to a report issued by National Population and Family Planning Board! We often sweep this phenomenon under the rug. Nonetheless, unintended pregnancy is a substantial issue that bears critical risks. Unwanted pregnancy defines as a few conditions, such as: • •
14
The mother does not want to be pregnant. The mother does not want to have another child.
•
The mother has not planned to have a child.
The majority of unwanted pregnancy cases happen because of a lack of knowledge about contraception and the inconsistency of contraception use. What are the consequences of unintended pregnancy? After realizing her unwanted pregnancy, the first thought in a woman’s mind is often the urge to abort it. The saddening fact makes women turn to ways to abort their children illegally. Unsafe abortion has severe risks and consequences for women who have undergone it. Some of the complications that can happen after unsafe abortion includes: • • •
Fail to remove pregnancy tissues in the uterus. Heavy bleeding. Damage of urinary tract and/or reproductive organs because of sharp objects inserted.