Family Planning Clinic
Family planning promotes self-actualization, empowerment, as well as health and wellbeing, and reduces maternal and infant deaths through the prevention of unintended pregnancy and unsafe abortion.
Experience from recent outbreaks shows that family planning services can be severely compromised during emergencies.
To help avoid such outcomes in the future, the manual details practical measures that support continuity of family planning services during epidemics. These include wider access to self-administered contraceptives, and direct distribution of contraceptives through pharmacies. Health practitioners can also take steps to support ongoing contraceptive access even where physical mobility is reduced, such as providing multi-month supplies.
Self-administered contraceptives include condoms, contraceptive pills, some diaphragms, spermicides and most recently, the option of self-injection of DMPA (a progestin-only contraceptive) since this can now be safely administered just under the skin rather than into the muscle. Many women prefer injectable contraceptives since they are private and non-intrusive, requiring action only ever 2-3 months, with the option of self-injection likely to further increase uptake.
Our Core Values
General Reproductive Health
Many women’s health services may be considered a part of family planning. Things like pelvic exams, pap smears, pregnancy testing, counseling, and breast exams are all things your OB/GYN routinely provides. They are also part of family planning. The health of your reproductive system is a critical part of planning for future pregnancies.
Birth Control
Birth control counseling and management is often what most people associate with family planning. And while the term is often used to describe this particular service, it is not sole purpose of family planning services. However, birth control in any form is a key part of family and pregnancy planning because it provides women with more options. OB/GYNs can give counseling on all types of hormonal or non-hormonal birth control including:
- Oral contraceptives
- Barrier contraceptives
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
- Contraceptive implants
- Other hormonal options (skin patches or vaginal rings)
- Natural methods
Fertility Awareness
Fertility awareness is a type of birth control. However, rather than a prescribed medication or device, it is a method. Fertility awareness is also called natural family planning (NFP), or the rhythm method. There are different methods people follow including the Sympto-Thermal Method, the Ovulation Method, and the Billings Method.
These methods may vary in some ways, but the general idea is the same. A woman’s menstrual cycle is tracked to determine the days she is most likely to get pregnant each month. For a couple wanting to prevent pregnancy, they will then practice what is called periodic abstinence on those days and not have sex.
Pregnancy Spacing
Pregnancy spacing is another important part of family planning services. Pregnancy spacing is sometimes called birth spacing, or inter-pregnancy interval. How soon a woman gets pregnant again after a prior pregnancy can have an impact on both maternal and infant health. According to the survey, it’s best to wait 18 months between giving birth and getting pregnant again. Too little time between pregnancies increases the risks of premature birth.
Other aspects of family planning, like birth control counseling or fertility awareness, can help with pregnancy spacing. Birth spacing may also be a factor for women who have had difficulty getting pregnant or for women older than 35. The 18-month window may not be right for those women. That’s pregnancy spacing is an important part of family planning.
Assisted Reproductive Technology
Actual fertility treatments or ART procedures don’t really fall under the umbrella of family planning services. These services wouldn’t be covered by insurance as part of an appointment for pregnancy planning. Government or low/no-cost programs do not include fertility treatments as part of their family planning services. However, seeing your OB/GYN will likely be one of the first things you do when you are having difficulty conceiving. And any service that involves discussion or counseling on planning to have a baby qualifies as pregnancy planning, so we’re including it here. Many OB/GYN practices offer fertility evaluations and some offer treatment. Sometimes your doctor will refer you to a fertility specialist for further evaluation and treatment.
Medical Check Ups
Medical Treatment
Emergency Help 24/7
Research Professionals
Health Tips & Info
We will work with you to develop individualised care plans, including management of chronic diseases. If we cannot assist, we can provide referrals or advice about the type of practitioner you require. We treat all enquiries sensitively and in the strictest confidence.