For the sake of the children, who are to shoulder responsibilities in the coming generations, as well as for their own benefit, the parents should not have children without serious consideration for their future. But once we have a child we are obligated to raise him with care, so that he will grow up as a helathy, cultured, and respected member of society. The state should improve social conditions so that young people may find a place in society where they may best display their ability. The need for family planning for the happiness of the couple, their children and community is evident. The principal means for family planning, then, should be fertility control (to prevent sperm from uniting with ovum) rather than artifically induced abortion; which should be regarded as a secondary means.

As, the more often pregnancy is terminated by artificial means, the more likely spontaneous abortion is to occur in the next pregnancy. And the more often spontaneous abortion is repeated, the greater the chances of miscarriage and premature birth in each suceeding pregnancy. In other words, if a woman aborts artificially too often, she will eventually develop a habit of miscarriage or premature birth, thus running a risk of not being able to have a baby when she wants one. Especially for women who have never had a child, resorting to artificial abortion is a most toughtless and nearsighted act ignoring their future happiness and jeopardizing their health. One should bear in mind that fertility control should always come first and abortion is the last resort.

The womb is not a temporary repository for the fetus to be discharged prematurely but a place where it is nurtured and developed over the full period of pregnancy. This should never be forgotten even though modern sex life is, and should be considered separately from procreation. Artificial abortion is not only unnatural but may even give the uterus a tendency of not been able to carry the fetus to full maturity.

Determining the Period of Conception :
Easy Way To Calculate :

According to Dr. Ogino's world recognized theory, ovulation occurs during the five-day period between the 12th and 16th days before the anticipated menstruation. In a woman with a 30 day menstrual cycle, as shown in the chart above, ovulation takes place sometime between the 16th and 19th days counting from the first day of menstruation. But it must be remembered that the sperm can live for three days. If coitus is performed on the 12th, 13th or 14th day from the first day of menstrua- tion, or during the supposedly "safe'' period, there is still a possibility of fertilization - for the sperm may survive into the ovulation period. On the other hand, if intercourse is performed on the 20th day, or the day after the ovulation period, there is still a possibility of conception - for the ovum lives for a day.

Therefore, to calculate the "safe'' period, the sperm's life should be added to the earlier portion of the ovulation period and ovum's life to the latter portion of the ovulation period. Thus, in a 30day menstrual cycle, as shown in the above chart, the safe period in the earlier half lasts until the 11 day, and that in the latter half starts on the 21st day. It is noted that thefirst digit of both days - 11 and 21 - is the figure "one''. This regularity applies to all menstrual cycles, as shown in the above table. In the 32nd day cycle, for example, the no-conception period continuies until the 13th day in the first half and begins on the 23rd day in the latter half. For the 28 day cycle, the figures are the 9th day and the 19th day. This makes it very easy to memorize one's own sterile period.

In short : to obtain the last day of the first-half safe period, subtract 19 days from the menstrual cycle ; and to obtain the first day of the latter-half safe period, take 9 days from the cycle. The safe period discussed above does not guarantee 100 per cent protection from conception. Some women report failure after strictly observing the safe period. The reason is that the menstrual cycle is subject to variation. By taking statistics of her menstruation for a year, a woman will notice that the first day moves up or down a day or two. And a single day's difference may prove fatal to her contraceptive efforts. Consquently it is a good idea a day or two for a possible early arrival of menstruation.

If the record shows that the shortest cycle lasts for 26 days, the longest for 32 days, and the normal for 30 days, it should be assumed that the first-half safe period will continue until the 7th day. This means that if menstruation lasts five days, the safe period following it would be only two days, shattering the common belief that the three days after menstruation are safe. In some cases the sperm may live more than three days, further reducing the safe period. This period, however, should be regarded as relatively, not absolutely, safe because the arrival of menstruation is subject to unexpected changes. The above method to determine the first-half safe period is most ideal, but to apply this method to the atter half safe period entails much waste. For example, a woman whose normal cycle is 98 days, minimum cycle 25 day maximum 31 days, will carry the first half safe period until the 6th day and the latter half safe period after the 22nd day, consequently allowing an extremely long fertilization period.