Reproductive Health, Pregnancy, and Childbirth

Reproductive Health Pregnancy & Childbirth Name Institutional Affiliation Course Name & Number Professor Date Q.1 The two most common forms of emergency contraception (EC) in the U.S. are Plan B and Ella. Plan B is a progestin-based EC taken after having unprotected sex to reduce the chances of pregnancy. According to LaRosa, Bader, Alexander, Garfield & Alexander (2016, slide 19), when taken within 72 hours, it plummets the chances of conceiving by 81-90. Further, it reduces the chances of pregnancy for up to five days, although its effectiveness significantly decreases the longer it takes. It is an over-the-counter medication sold to anyone. Ella is another form of EC, which works by reducing the chances of pregnancy by stopping or delaying ovulation for five days. Despite being less effective than Plan B, it is highly effective for five days and only accessible through a prescription. Emergency contraceptives should be taken within 72-120 hours after having unprotected sex or after another method fails to ensure its effectiveness. On the other hand, other forms of contraception are taken or utilized before and during sex to prevent pregnancy (LaRosa et al., 2016, slides 9-19). Also, unlike other contraceptives utilized regularly, emergency contraceptives should only be taken for emergencies and a few times a year. Q.2 Vasectomy is among the most successful forms of birth control but is ineffective as an immediate form of birth control. According to the National Institute of Health, a vasectomy is not effective immediately as some sperm remain in the semen after the procedure. On estimate, it takes fifteen to twenty ejaculation or three months for a man to rid their semen with sperm, and it may even take longer in some men (National Institutes of Health, 2022). Thus, other methods of contraception need to be used in the meantime, making vasectomy ineffective as an immediate method of contraception. Q.3 The birth control pill, which is the most utilized contraceptive, is a safe and effective method of contraception with 99% effectiveness. It makes periods lighter and premenstrual cramps less painful and improves a woman’s skin by keeping acne under control. On the other hand, it can decrease one’s libido (LaRosa et al., 2016, slide 9). Q. 4 Breastfeeding offers a host of benefits for the infant and the mother. For the infant, it is the source of nutrition and nutrients for the first six months of their lives; it contains enzymes that aid their digestion and provide crucial antibodies that protect them from infections. To the mother, breastfeeding triggers the production of high levels of oxytocin, which makes the uterus shrink back to its regular size. It helps in the rapid loss of pregnancy weight and lo...