Having doubled as a counselor at the hospital, Marantan is very much in touch with what her clients want. She says that many mothers prefer sterilization to temporary forms of contraception because they feel that their families are complete. Many of these women already have three or four children by the time they are in their late 20s, says Marantan. They don t want to add to the number of their children. The speed, safety, and cost of the procedure also make tubal ligation an attractive alternative to the pill, IUD, or injectables for some of these women.
Clients report few complications during follow-up visits.
Based on my interviews, women who have undergone sterilization tell me that they re very content with the service, remarks Marantan. They also say that they no longer worry about another pregnancy and that they re now able to provide a better quality of attention and love to their kids. Maritel Costales manages AVSC's Philippines program.