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Family planning

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Combined oral contraceptives. Introduced in 1960, "the Pill" has played an instrumental role in family planning for decades.

Family planning is the planning of when to have children,[1] and the use of birth control[2][3] and other techniques to implement such plans. Other techniques commonly used include sexuality education,[3][4] prevention and management of sexually transmitted infections,[3] pre-conception counseling[3] and management, and infertility management.[2]

Family planning is sometimes used as a synonym for the use of birth control, however, it often includes a wide variety of methods, and practices that are not birth control. It is most usually applied to a female-male couple who wish to limit the number of children they have and/or to control the timing of pregnancy (also known as spacing children). Family planning may encompass sterilization, as well as abortion.[5]

Family planning services are defined as "educational, comprehensive medical or social activities which enable individuals, including minors, to determine freely the number and spacing of their children and to select the means by which this may be achieved."[4]

Purposes

Raising a child requires significant amounts of resources: time,[6] social, financial,[7] and environmental. Planning can help assure that resources are available. The purpose of family planning is to make sure that any couple, man or woman who has the desire to have a child has the resources that are needed in order to complete this goal.[8][dubious – discuss] With these resources a couple, man or women can explore the options of natural birth, surrogacy, artificial insemination or adoption. In the other case, if the person does not wish to have a child at the specific time, they can investigate the resources that are needed to prevent pregnancy, such as birth control, contraceptives, or physical protection and prevention.

Health

See also: Maternal health and teenage pregnancy

Waiting until the mother is at least 18 years old before trying to have children improves maternal and child health.[9] Also, if additional children are desired after a child is born, it is healthier for the mother and the child to wait at least 2 years after the previous birth before attempting to conceive (but not more than 5 years).[9] After a miscarriage or abortion, it is healthier to wait at least 6 months.[9]

When planning a family women who are over the age of 35 should be aware of the risks of having a child at that age. Older women are at a higher risk of having a child with autism and down syndrome, the chances of having multiple births increases, which cause further late-pregnancy risks, they have an increased chance of developing gestational diabetes, the need for a Caesarian-section is greater, older women's bodies are not as well-suited for delivering a baby. The risk of prolonged labor is higher. Older mothers have a higher risk of a long labor, putting the baby in distress.[10]

"Family planning benefits the health and well-being of women and families throughout the world. Using contraception can help to avoid unwanted pregnancies and space births; protect against STDs, including HIV/AIDS; and provide other health benefits."[11]

Modern methods

Some families use modern medical advances in family planning. For example in surrogacy treatments a woman agrees to become pregnant and deliver a child for another couple or person.

There are two types of surrogacy: traditional and gestational. Traditional Surrogacy is where the Surrogate uses her own eggs AND carries the child for her Intended Parents. This procedure is done in a doctor's office through IUI. This type of surrogacy obviously includes a genetic connection between the surrogate and the child. Legally speaking, the Surrogate will have to disclaim any interest in the child to complete the transfer to the Intended Parents. A gestational surrogacy occurs when the Intended Mother's or a donor egg is fertilized outside the body and then the embryos are transferred into the uterus. The woman who carries the child is often referred to as a Gestational Carrier. The legal steps to confirm parentage with the Intended Parents are generally easier than in a traditional because there is no genetic connection between child and Carrier.[12]

In sperm donations, pregnancies are usually achieved using donated sperm by artificial insemination (either by intracervical insemination or intrauterine insemination) and less commonly by invitro fertilization (IVF), usually known in this context as Assisted reproductive technology (ART), but insemination may also be achieved by a donor having sexual intercourse with a woman for the sole purpose of initiating conception. This method is known as natural insemination (NI).

There is generally a demand for sperm donors who have no genetic problems in their family, 20/20 eyesight, with excellent visual acuity, a college degree, and sometimes a value on a certain height and age.[13][14]

In cases were couples may not want to have children just yet and plan with time family planning programs help a lot. Federal family planning programs reduced childbearing among poor women by as much as 29 percent, according to a University of Michigan study.[15]

Adoption sometimes used to build a family. There are seven steps that one must make towards adoption. You must decide to pursue an adoption, apply to adopt, complete an adoption home study, get approved to adopt, be matched with a child, receive an adoptive placement, and then legalize the adoption.[16]

Finances

See also: Family economics and Cost of raising a child

Family planning is among the most cost-effective of all health interventions.[17] "The cost savings stem from a reduction in unintended pregnancy, as well as a reduction in transmission of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV."[17]

Childbirth and prenatal health care cost averaged $7,090 for normal delivery in the US in 1996.[18] US Department of Agriculture estimates that for a child born in 2007, a US family will spend an average of $11,000 to $23,000 per year for the first 17 years of child's life.[6] (Total inflation adjusted estimated expenditure: $196,000 to $393,000, depending on household income.)[6]

If this is your first baby you’ll need to budget for things like a buggy, car seat, cot, clothes, nappies; milk, bottles,sterilizing equipment, if you’re not solely breastfeeding; and baby food and toys. Don’t feel you have to buy everything new – friends and family can help with second-hand clothes, buggies, cots and toys, and you can often find cheaper or second-hand items online. However, you shouldn’t buy a second-hand car seat unless you’re sure it’s never been involved in a road traffic accident.[19]

Birth control

Main article: Birth control

Birth control is techniques used to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

There are a range of contraceptive methods, each with unique advantages and disadvantages. Any of the widely recognized methods of birth control is much more effective than no method. Behavioral methods that include intercourse, such as withdrawal and calendar based methods have little up front cost and are readily available, but are much less effective in typical use than most other methods. Long-acting reversible contraceptive methods, such as IUD and implant are highly effective and convenient, requiring little user action. When cost of failure is included, IUDs and vasectomy are much less costly than other methods. In addition to providing birth control, male or female condoms protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Condoms may be used alone, or in addition to other methods, as backup or to prevent STD. Surgical methods (tubal ligation, vasectomy) provide long term contraception for those who have completed their families.

Before choosing a birth control method, think about your overall health,how often you have sex,the number of sex partners you have,if you want to have children someday,how well each method works to prevent pregnancy,possible side effects, and your comfort level with using the method. [20]

Policy

A family planning facility in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia.
See also: International Planned Parenthood Federation, Marie Stopes International, and United States Agency for International Development

The world's largest international source of funding for population and reproductive health programs is the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The main goals of the International Conference on Population and Development Program of Action are:

  • Universal access to reproductive health services by 2015
  • Universal primary education and closing the gender gap in education by 2015
  • Reducing maternal mortality by 75% by 2015
  • Reducing infant mortality
  • Increasing life expectancy
  • Reducing HIV infection rates in persons aged 15–24 years by 25% in the most-affected countries by 2005, and by 25% globally by 2010

The World Health Organization (WHO) and World Bank estimate that $3.00 per person per year would provide basic family planning, maternal and neonatal health care to women in developing countries. This would include contraception, prenatal, delivery and post-natal care in addition to postpartum family planning and the promotion of condoms to prevent sexually transmitted infections.[21]

World Contraception Day

The 26th of September is World Contraception Day, devoted to raising awareness of contraception and improving education about sexual and reproductive health, with a vision of a world where every pregnancy is wanted.[22] It is supported by a group of international NGOs, including Asian Pacific Council on Contraception, Centro Latinamericano Salud y Mujer, European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health, German Foundation for World Population, International Federation of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, International Planned Parenthood Federation, Marie Stopes International, Population Services International, The Population Council, The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Women Deliver.[22]

See also

Organizations

International

National

References

  1. ^ "Mission Statement". US Dept. of Health and Human Services, Office of Population Affairs.
  2. ^ a b Family planning - WHO
  3. ^ a b c d What services do family planning clinics provide? - Health Questions - NHS Direct
  4. ^ a b US Dept. of Health, Administration for children and families
  5. ^ See, e.g., Mischell DR. "Family planning: contraception, sterilization, and pregnancy termination." In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 14.
  6. ^ a b c "Expenditures on Children by Families, 2007; Miscellaneous Publication Number 1528-2007". United States Department of Agriculture, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |notes= ignored (help)
  7. ^ MsMoney.com - Marriage, Kids & College - Family Planning
  8. ^ "Office of Family Planning". California Department of Public Health.
  9. ^ a b c "Healthy Timing and Spacing of Pregnancy: HTSP Messages". USAID. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  10. ^ "Risks of Being an Older Mom". Silvers, Langsam & Weitzman, P.C. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  11. ^ Reproline Family Planning
  12. ^ "What is a Surrogate Mother or Gestational Carrier?". Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  13. ^ The Genius Sperm Bank June 2006
  14. ^ Baby steps; how lesbian alternative insemination is changing the world. By Amy Agigian
  15. ^ "Family planning: Federal program reduced births to poor women by nearly 30 percent". Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  16. ^ "How to Adopt". Adoption Exchange Association. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  17. ^ a b Tsui AO, McDonald-Mosley R, Burke AE (2010). "Family planning and the burden of unintended pregnancies". Epidemiol Rev. 32 (1): 152–74. doi:10.1093/epirev/mxq012. PMC 3115338. PMID 20570955. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ Mushinski, M. (1998). "Average charges for uncomplicated vaginal, cesarean and VBAC deliveries: Regional variations, United States, 1996". Statistical Bulletin. 79 (3): 17–28. PMID 9691358.
  19. ^ "Managing Money". Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  20. ^ "Birth control methods fact sheet". Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  21. ^ "Promises to Keep: The Toll of Unintended Pregnancies on Women's Lives in the Developing World". Retrieved 2009-02-03.
  22. ^ a b "World Contraception Day".
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