Family Planning

What is family planning?

Family planning includes all the services, techniques, and procedures that are designed to help women and couples take control of their futures and decide if and when they want to become parents.

Family planning includes birth control, pre-pregnancy planning, genetic counseling services for women and couples whose children might be at risk for certain genetic disorders and for couples having difficulty conceiving.

What types of birth control are available with family planning?

Birth control is a critical part of family planning. This allows you to plan your pregnancies in the time and way that works best for you. It's very important you feel comfortable with the form of birth control you've selected so you'll be more likely to use it when needed to prevent pregnancy.

The Women's Health Group, P.A. offers many types of birth control options, including:

• Barrier methods
• Birth control pills: Progestin only or combination pills
• Birth control injections
• Fertility awareness (natural family planning) 
• Intrauterine devices: Copper or hormone-based

The team can help you choose the birth control method best for your needs.

Does family planning include high-risk pregnancy care?

High-risk pregnancies are those in which the mother or the baby (or both) face certain health risks as a result of pregnancy. Some possible causes of high-risk pregnancies include:

• Obesity
• Older age
• Diabetes or gestational diabetes
• Thyroid disease
• High blood pressure before pregnancy or during pregnancy
• Chromosomal or other genetic issues
• Multiple prior miscarriages
• Being pregnant with more than one baby (twins or triplets)
• Drug or alcohol use
• Smoking
• Presence of large fibroids
• Infection

Family planning can help identify potential risk factors so they can be corrected prior to pregnancy. Or if that's not possible, family planning gives you the care and guidance you need to help support your physical and mental health and the health of your baby during pregnancy.

To find out more about The Women's Health Group, P.A., and the family planning services available, call the office to speak with a team member or request an appointment online today.