30 years of patient education in the use of pessaries: personal history of Mrs. Taki Hanyu. The past and present of education in pessary use
Hanyu, T.; Sato, T.
Josanpu Zasshi 37(3): 178-186
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0047-1836 PMID: 6555249 Document Number: 201718
Mrs. Taki Hanyu, a midwife, described 30 years of patient education in pessary use in an interview. When she started her program at Suginami Public Health Clinic in 1953, there was a great demand for patient education among women who had big families, housing problems, and no knowledge of contraception. In addition, some women were suffering from after effects of repeated abortion. 3 times a week Mrs. Hanyu gave a lecture and demonstration to different groups of 25 to 30 women, who were almost all married and had 4 to 5 children. After the class she gave individualized instruction including the actual fitting of pessary by appointment. Those who received her instruction were grateful but others were neither sympathetic nor understanding toward such an effort. Men hardly showed interest or participated. Most patients were much more inhibited about touching and talking about their body. In contrast, today's women are more self-assertive, independent, and less inhibited. Some women even bring their husbands along to the class. Considerable number of college seniors, who are yet to be married, also participated in the program. Based on Mrs. Hanyu's experience it may be said that pessary is one of the most reliable contraceptive devices, and that education in pessary use helped promote the idea that family happiness greatly depends on women's health.