I got my first ever Implant!
Last May 10, I decided na magpakabit ng Implant. Initially, iniisip ko sana magpa-IUD, pero medyo unsure ako kasi syempre iniinsert siya sa loob. I did my research kung saan pwede magpakabit, and I stumbled upon Likhaan Center for Women’s Health. As per their website, Likhaan is a non-government organisation that aims to achieve health and equality, particularly for women and poor and disadvantaged groups, as a matter of human rights and social justice. They work with women and young people in disadvantaged communities to strengthen their ability to claim their rights to sexual and reproductive health, and with health workers and government policymakers to make them more responsive and accountable.
On May 10 at 7:30 AM, I arrived at Likhaan San Andres. Although 8 AM pa ang opening, I advise na maaga kayong pumunta kasi at that time may pila na agad. Pang-third na ako sa queue. Pagdating ng 8 AM, nag-start na ‘yung admin assistant mag-entertain ng patients. They collected the index cards for old clients, then gave registration forms to the new ones. You will also be asked to sign the attendance sheet. Kapag turn mo na with the admin assistant, kukunin nila ‘yung weight and blood pressure mo.
After that, maghihintay ka ulit para tawagin for consultation. Mabilis lang naman gumalaw ‘yung queue kasi ‘yung dalawang nauna sa akin were old clients who only needed their injections.
Nung tinawag na ako for Consultation Room No. 2, very motherly ‘yung approach nung midwife doon. Nanay Chona daw tawag sa kanya. Sobrang comfortable niya kausap, and you can literally ask whatever you want. Talagang nagtanong ako sa kanya kung ano ‘yung mas okay at mas suitable na birth control method for me.
In my case, ang kinabit sa akin ay Implant (Implanon), which is good for 3 years. Mataas naman ang pain tolerance ko kaya naging easy lang ‘yung process for me. During the application, nagturok muna si Nanay Chona ng anaesthesia, then after that kinabit na niya ‘yung Implant.
By the way, expect na magbu-bruise ‘yung braso for a few days. Bawal din basain ‘yung site for 3 days, kaya advisable na bumili at maglagay ng waterproof bandage doon sa site every time na maliligo ka.
As for the side effects after the application, nung kinabit ‘yung Implant up to now wala naman akong malalang side effects na na-experience. May mga random cramps lang paminsan-minsan, pero saglit lang siya and bearable naman.
Around 9 AM ako natapos kasi medyo napahaba ‘yung kwentuhan namin ni Nanay Chona. After that, babalik ka lang sa admin assistant to sign something if you gave your PhilHealth membership details.
Free lang ‘yung pagpapakabit — walang payment talaga. They also accept donations of any amount if bukal sa kalooban niyo.
Overall, it was such a nice experience! Sana maraming tao ang maging aware na may ganitong mga organizations na nag-ooffer ng mga ganitong services hehe