"Family Planning "
Family Planning involves planning the number, frequency and timing of pregnancy. In other
words it is a program to regulate the number and spacing of children in a family through the
practice of contraception or other methods of birth control
Family planning implies that a couple discuss when and how many children they can have so
that they can give the utmost care to the child, financially, psychologically and socially. In
general usage we commonly associate terms like contraception and birth control with Family
Planning but theoretically family planning is much more than that. Family planning methods
would include every measure that can be taken so as to give a couple their required freedom to
determine when they want to have their children and what the time gap should be if planning
more than one child.It's crucial for achieving reproductive health and well-being, as it allows
people to plan for their desired family size, prevent unintended pregnancies, and ensure healthy
intervals between births.
Methods and Types of Family Planning;
REVERSIBLE / TEMPORARY METHODS also known as Spacing methods;
these are temporary in nature, hence do not have any permanent contraceptive effect.
1. Intra Uterine device - is a form of birth control that a healthcare provider inserts into your
uterus. Once it's inserted, an IUD can prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years or more, depending
on the specific type.
2. Non Hormonal Methods - Female condom
Copper IUD
Male condom
Cervical cap
Spermicide
Diaphragm
Fertility awareness
Contraception options
Birth control
3. Hormonal Methods - (contraception) contain either estrogen plus progestin or progestin only;
they are a safe and reliable way to prevent pregnancy for most people. eg. an implant like
intrauterine device (IUD), injections, pills and skin patches.
4.Contraceptives - Methods of contraception include oral contraceptive pills, implants,
injectables, patches, vaginal rings, intra uterine devices, condoms, male and female
sterilization, lactational amenorrhea methods, withdrawal and fertility awareness-based
methods.
5.Periodic abstinence: A group of methods that are based on avoiding sexual intercourse during
the fertile time (time when a woman can conceive.) A woman's fertile time is identified through
observing, recording and interpreting natural signs and symptoms associated with the menstrual
cycle. These methods include the standard days method, calendar (rhythm) method, cervical
mucus (or ovulation) method, and basal body temperature method.Withdrawal (coitus
interruptus): A method where sexual intercourse is interrupted and the penis is withdrawn from
the vagina before ejaculation.
6.Lactational Amenorrhea (LAM: LAM is a temporary method of contraception based upon
breast-feeding. Sucking during breast-feeding releases natural hormones which prevents
ovulation acting as a protection against pregnancy.
7.Barrier method -method stops the sperm from uniting with the egg and acts as a barrier.
Different barrier methods are male condom or female condom, Foam tablets or Spermicidal
jellies.
Male Condom - A condom is a contraceptive choice which is the most available to men and
women. It acts as a barrier to the passage of seminal fluid into the vagina. Condoms also
protect from RTI/STI. A Condom is made of a thin latex sheath, which is rolled over the erect
penis of the male partner before sexual intercourse. It prevents the sperms from entering into
vagina and coming in contact with the female egg.
When should a Male Condom be used? A Condom should be used at the beginning of each act
of intercourse by unrolling on the erected penis.A Condom should not be re-used. How should a
Male Condom be used? The Condom should be rolled over the erect penis before the penis is
in the vagina. The rim of the condom should be rolled all the way to the base of the penis,
leaving half inch of an empty space at the top by pinching the tip of the condom as it is rolled
over the penis. No air should be left in the tip of the condom.After intercourse, the condom
should be held at the rim as the penis is being withdrawn so that no semen is split anywhere
near the opening of the vagina.The penis should be withdrawn soon after ejaculation because
once the penis returns to its flaccid state, the condom may slip off and pregnancy may result.If
using spermicide, it should be applied to the outside of the condom.The condom should be
checked before being thrown away to see whether it is torn or not. If torn, the woman should
use a spermicidal tablet or cream immediately, otherwise an emergency contraceptive pill within
2 days or an IUCD within 5 days should be used.Oils or petroleum jelly should not be used as
lubricants, because they can cause deterioration of the condom.
IRREVERSIBLE METHOD
also known as Sterilization, these are permanent methods. They need to be carefully thought
about and opted for. This method is best for people who have already completed their family.
1. PermanentVasectomy (Men): A vasectomy is a surgical procedure that stops sperm from
leaving your body, providing permanent birth control (contraception). The procedure closes off
the ends of the vas deferens, which are the tubes that carry sperm.
2.Tubectomy or Tubal ligation (Women)
(also known as having one's "tubes tied") is a surgical procedure for sterilization in which a
woman's fallopian tubes are clamped and blocked or severed and sealed, either of which
prevents eggs from reaching the uterus for implantation.
The advantages and disadvantages of Natural Methods of Family Planning :
Advantages
Have no medical side effects,Immediate return to fertility,Free and readily available, increases
knowledge of female reproductive physiology and may improve communication between
partners.
Disadvantages
High failure rate,require high motivation and ability to follow instructions,require partner's
cooperation,Couple practicing periodic abstinence must abstain from intercourse for a
significant period of time every month,No protection from STIs/HIV,May be difficult to detect a
woman's fertile period (close to menarche, close to menopause, during breastfeeding, or in
women with irregular cycles.
Family Planning is not only to avoid the impending disaster of over population but also for the
well being of mothers since it avoids unnecessary abortions and also reduces the number of
times a woman gives birth. With every pregnancy the risk towards maternal health increases so
it is better to avoid unnecessary pregnancy at the first place. Family Planning would also lead to
an enhancement in the health of the baby that is born since a healthy mother would definitely
give birth to a healthy child.
