Principles on Family Planning

Family planning is the act of planning pregnancy at a time that will prove to be healthy for the entire family. It allows couples to plan the number of children they would like to have, and the timing of their births. Family planning can involve the use of contraceptives or other birth control and abstinence. It can also include plans for adopting a child.

  1. Contraception

    • According to the World Health Organization, more than 200 million couples do not use contraceptives, despite the fact they do not want to become pregnant. A big part of family planning involves the use of contraceptives to prevent these unwanted pregnancies. Internal birth control comes in the form of a pill, vaginal insert, shot or patch. Condoms are an external method that can be used if you prefer to avoid medication. No form of birth control is 100 percent effective, so if you are finished having children or do not want to have children, you can explore the option of either a tubal ligation for the woman or a vasectomy for the man.

    Infertility Treatment

    • Family planning is not always the practice of preventing pregnancy, but can also be about creating one. Many families who want to have children may have problems conceiving, and will have to seek help from fertility experts. Some infertility problems may be treated with antibiotics, surgery or hormones, while some will require more extensive approaches, such as in-vitro fertilization or artificial insemination. If families are still unable to have children, they can begin to explore the process of adoption.

    Education

    • The Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs believes that family planning should be a standard part of health care for all women of childbearing age and their partners. About half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned. Unplanned pregnancies can have negative effects on the baby, such as lower birth weights, premature births, illness or death. Educating women about the importance of eating right and avoiding drugs, alcohol and tobacco during pregnancy can prevent these problems. It is also vital to educate women and men about the importance of using contraception when having children is not feasible.

    Benefits

    • Family planning can benefit the health of the mother and baby. If you plan for a child, you can begin practicing a healthy lifestyle, which will be conducive to the health of your baby. Choosing longer intervals between pregnancies will decrease the chance of bleeding or premature birth. Family planning also cuts down on the number of abortions performed. Additionally, there are monetary benefits to planning pregnancy. Children are costly, and if you are not financially stable, you cannot provide the best care for your child and may encounter conflict between you and your spouse due to increased stress.

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