{"id":7327,"date":"2026-08-14T21:25:51","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T13:25:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nowserving.ph\/blog\/?p=7327"},"modified":"2026-09-22T18:44:04","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T10:44:04","slug":"family-planning-myths-what-couples-should-know-before-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nowserving.ph\/blog\/family-planning-myths-what-couples-should-know-before-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"Family Planning, Bahala Na? – Fertility, Myths, and Getting Ready for Pregnancy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This second episode from The NowServing Podcast<\/strong> tackles the common myths about family planning. The host, ‘Yowni’<\/strong> with our board-certified OBGYN and Gynecologic Oncologist guest, Angeli Anne C. Ang, MD, FPOGS, DSGOP, DPSCPC<\/strong> are here to help us answer what couples usually skip when starting their family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summary<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Myth 1: Walang sakit at healthy, pwede na sumubok magka-anak<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fact: Feeling healthy does not equate to ready to conceive a baby<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A person’s health can be affected by factors like stress, sleep, and what we eat. Thus, not making it the solely reference when starting a family. It’s best to book a consultation with an OBGYN for a preconception counseling to see the couple’s baseline health. This step allows the couples to identify their risk factors that can affect conceiving the baby and the pregnancy itself (e.g., thyroid problem<\/a>, hypertension<\/a>, diabetes<\/a>, PCOS\/PMOS, penile dysfunction, etc.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn what is the normal blood pressure for pregnant women in this guide.<\/em><\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In short, both maternal health and paternal health will be checked to begin family planning. Doctors recommend to undergo preconception counseling 3 months before the actual plan of conceiving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myth 2: Babae lang ang dapat magpa-check up<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fact: Fertility is not just a female issue, it’s a couple’s issue<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fertility problem consists of a 50\/50 equation from the mother and the father. Common problems that men face is the health of their sperm, whether their motility, shape, and count are viable to fertilize the female egg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, their overall lifestyle choices can alter their chances of starting a family. It’s best to stop any vices like drinking and smoking to keep the quality of their sperm. Likewise for females, their menstrual cycle, uterine lining, and egg health should be checked to ensure a successful conception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, the couple need to consider the entirety of child health. The child’s genes will come from both the mother and father. The long-term health of the baby will be based on how healthy the parents are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Filipino male partners are statistically underchecked, and it’s time to change that.” – Angeli Anne C. Ang, MD, FPOGS, DSGOP, DPSCPC<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myth 3: Folic Acid ay para sa buntis lamang<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fact: Folic Acid prevents neural tube defects and helps with sperm quality<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Neural tube defects are detected in the early stage of pregnancy around 3 to 4 weeks. Folic acid is recommended by the OBGYN for the mothers for at least 3 months before trying to conceive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile for the fathers, folic acid can also help with the sperm quality. So it’s not just for the females.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, proper diet and lifestyle changes are the best recommendations for fathers, instead of taking folic acid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myth 4: Bahala na si Lord kaysa mag family planning<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fact: Family planning is an open-choice for couples, and they can also try natural family planning<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Everyone is entitled to their reproductive choices, especially if it involves their beliefs. That’s why they can still try the Natural Family Planning Method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This method can be more tedious than having a consultation with a doctor as it involves understanding one’s body health and tracking everything. Also, there’s still planning involved here, but becomes more individualistic as it depends on the health of the mothers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to check:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n