Rapid repeat pregnancies are pregnancies that occur soon after a previous pregnancy ends, regardless of whether the previous pregnancy resulted in a live birth, miscarriage, or another outcome. They are commonly defined as pregnancies occurring less than 24 months apart.

In the Philippines, rapid repeat pregnancies are associated with poorer self-reported maternal health, having more children than the mother's ideal number, and a greater likelihood that the most recent pregnancy was unintended. They are also associated with higher odds of pregnancy loss, particularly miscarriage and stillbirth. Children born from rapid repeat pregnancies are likewise more likely to experience neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality.

According to the 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey, around 41% of mothers have experienced a rapid repeat pregnancy (23% of all females of reproductive age). This translates to approximately 7.1 million women nationwide.

A higher proportion of pregnancies among mothers aged 20–24 years were rapid repeat pregnancies compared with other age groups, with the proportion generally declining as maternal age increased.

Based on our analysis of the 2022 NDHS, women with unmet modern family planning needs are more likely to experience rapid repeat pregnancies. 

This is consistent with our finding that mothers (27%) are disproportionately affected by unmet modern family planning needs compared to their childless peers (5%), revealing the inaccessibility of postpartum contraception.

The WHO and DOH recommends waiting at least 2–3 years between pregnancies to reduce infant and child mortality.

According to the DOH Postpartum Family Planning Supplemental Guide, the recommended postpartum timing depends on whether the person is breastfeeding.

Currently, PhilHealth covers IUDs, subdermal implants, vasectomy, and tubal ligation through case rates. 

The DOH/MOH also procures lynestrenol, progestin injectables, subdermal implants, and copper IUDs. 

The Maternity Care Package provides an automatic capture of pregnant women and those in the postpartum stage. Covering postpartum contraceptives through this package will facilitate their immediate use following child delivery. 

Yes. Under section 7 of the Universal Health Care Act, individual-based services shall be financed by PhilHealth, private health insurance, and HMO plans. Oral contraceptives, injectables, and other modern family planning methods are considered individual-based services because their use is traceable to an individual. 

Part of streamlining the financing roles of PhilHealth and DOH for individual-based and population-based services, respectively, is to develop the appropriate benefit packages for currently DOH-financed individual-based commodities and eventually fully-transition financing to PhilHealth (i.e., sunset DOH procurement of these commodities). 

To promote the efficient use of public funds, efficient use of public funds may be ensured in the GAA while transition to PhilHealth financing is underway. The timing, arrangements, and measures needed to facilitate the transition and reduce financing risks shall be jointly determined by DOH and PhilHealth.

No, a declining fertility rate also masks the prevailing unmet needs for modern family planning. 17% of women of reproductive age still experience unmet family planning needs. In addition, 27% of women with children also have unmet family planning needs, which is higher compared to their childless peers.

Family planning programs does not automatically translate to less children. Family planning programs help women and men space their children properly so they can provide optimal care and support to their current child/children before adding another.

Proper child spacing also allows children to achieve positive health outcomes. Analysis of the 2022 NDHS shows that children of women who achieved proper birth spacing are more likely to receive childhood vaccines against diseases such as tuberculosis (BCG), diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus (DPT3), polio, measles, and hepatitis B. Furthermore, children of women who do not experience rapid repeat pregnancies are more likely to be ready for school (Dhamrait et al., 2022).

Proper child spacing therefore means a healthy and productive labor force. 

Dhamrait, G., Fletcher, T., Foo, D., Taylor, C. L., & Pereira, G. (2022). The effects of birth spacing on early childhood development in high-income nations: A systematic review. Frontiers in pediatrics, 10, 851700. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2022.851700

No, 2022 NDHS data shows that a major proportion of women of reproductive age who experience rapid repeat pregnancies are those aged 20-24 years old.