Pregnancy Rate In Yogyakarta Declines Even In Pandemic Period

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JAKARTA - The Yogyakarta City Population Control and Family Planning Office said that there was no increase in the number of pregnancies in the city during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the average pregnancy tended to fall.

"The pregnancy rate in Yogyakarta during this pandemic is quite under control. We are making various efforts to control the pregnancy rate, "said Acting Head of the Yogyakarta City Population and Family Planning Service Tri Karyadi Riyanto in Yogyakarta, as reported by Antara Thursday, November 5.

Based on data, the number of pregnancies in Yogyakarta City before the pandemic or until February 2020 was recorded at 1,118 pregnant women, however this number decreased at the end of September to 1,068 pregnant women.

Of the pregnancy figures, the Yogyakarta City Population Control and Family Planning Office also detailed the number of unwanted pregnancies that may have occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In February, the number of unwanted pregnancies was recorded at 44 pregnancies, and as of September there were 169 cumulative pregnancies.

On average, pregnancies are not desired until February 2020, reaching 22 pregnancies per month, and decreasing to 18 pregnancies per month in September 2020.

The unwanted pregnancy, he continued, could occur due to various reasons, including the factor of not wanting to add more children because they still had children under five, or no longer wanted additional children, but did not participate in family planning or because of promiscuity.

"By looking at these data, pregnancy in Yogyakarta City during the pandemic can be said to be quite under control. There is no surge, "he said.

Various efforts have been made to control pregnancy rates, including through the Go Sahaja innovation or the parent-friend movement of teenagers.

Through this innovation, parents are encouraged to always be close to their children, especially during a pandemic by still providing assistance to teenagers.

In addition, for couples of reproductive age, it is also done by providing easy access to contraceptives. "In fact, there is a special policy during a pandemic, namely health facilities that have been registered with the service can obtain contraceptive facilities," he said.

Family planning extension workers in the field are also allowed to distribute condoms, especially to family planning participants.

Meanwhile, Head of the Yogyakarta City Health Office, Emma Rahmi Ariyani, admitted that she was trying to provide the best protection for pregnant women who were about to give birth during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Before giving birth, you have to undergo a rapid test. If tested positive for COVID-19, delivery must be carried out according to health protocols, "he said.

During pregnancy, he continued, health checks are also carried out specifically, namely making appointments with doctors so that you do not queue too long at health facilities, are given masks and classes for pregnant women are carried out online or if there are officers who come to the house.