Contraception and Reproduction : Health Consequences for Women and Children in the Developing World

This book examines how changes in reproductive patterns (such as the number and timing of births and spacing between births) have affected the health of women and children in the developing world. It reviews the relationships between contraceptive use, reproductive patterns, and health; the effects of differences and changes in reproductive patterns; as well as the role of family planning in women's fertility and health. 1. Introduction -- The Demographic Context -- Family Planning In Developing Countries -- Organization Of The Report. 2. Hypotheses About Reproductive Patterns And Women's And Childrens Health -- Direct Effects Of Reproductive Patterns On Health -- Indirect Effects Of Reproductive Patterns On Health -- Other Possible Explanations -- Available Evidence. 3. Reproductive Patterns And Women's Health -- Sources Of Evidence -- Effects Of Young Maternal Age And Primiparity -- Effects Of Older Maternal Age, High Parity, Or Both -- Effects Of Short Intervals Between Births -- Effects Of Pregnancy In Increasing Mortality From Other Conditions -- Effects Of Unsafe Induced Abortion -- Conclusion. 4. Contraceptive Benefits And Risks -- Oral Contraceptives -- Intrauterine Devices -- Barrier Methods -- Long-acting Contraceptives -- Sterilization -- Traditional Methods -- Dimensions Of New Research. 5. Reproductive Patterns And Children's Health -- Sources Of Evidence -- Effects Of Being Firstborn And Young Maternal Age -- Effects Of High Birth Order And Older Maternal Age -- Effects Of Short Birth Internals -- Effects Of Unwanted Pregnancy -- Effects Of Matrna;l Health Conditions -- Minimizing The Risks Of Child Death . 6. Changes In Regroductive Patterns -- Fertility Declines And Birth Order Distribution -- Maternal Ages At Childbearing -- Spacing Of Births -- Contraceptive Use And Indeced Abortion -- Effects Of Cjhamges In Reproductive Patterns On Mortality Rates -- Conclusion. 7. Conclusions -- Reproductive Risks And Children's Health: Risks For Individual Children -- Aggregate-level Effects -- Indirect Effects Of Reproductive Change On The Health Of Women And Children -- Family Planning And The Health Of Women And Children. Working Group On The Health Consequences Of Contraceptive Use And Controlled Fertility, Committee On Population, Commission On Behavioral And Social Sciences And Education, National Research Council. Working Group Chairman: William Foege. Bibliography: P. 99-112. Examines how changes in reproductive patterns have affected the health of women and children in the developing world. This book looks at the relationships between contraceptive use, reproductive patterns, and health; the effects of differences and changes in reproductive patterns; and the role of family planning in women's fertility and health.