New Strait Times online recently reported that Malaysia is expected to have a baby boom in January next year, thanks to the Movement Control Order (MCO). The newspaper quoted the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) Health Unit head Dr Hamizah Mohd Hassan who said that the MCO could influx the country’s birth rate by early next year as the majority of married couples have to stay at home. Dr Hamizah was referring to the unusual new birth cases that occurred overseas especially in Maine and New Hampshire, United States of America after the states were closed for several weeks due to bad snowstorms in 1998.
The two states had to be on lockdown and residents were confined in the house for a long period of time. Nine months later, the baby boom happened in those two states. She cautioned that a similar situation might happen in Malaysia as the people have to stay at home throughout the MCO period.
It is therefore important to have knowledge of family planning and know what are the various options available. If unprotected intercourse does occur, there are several options available to avoid pregnancy. Further discussion on emergency contraception can be found here (Patient Information Leaflet on Emergency Contraception)