To attain their desired number of children and determine the spacing of pregnancies many couples seek the services of family planning. The practice of family planning is achieved through use of contraceptive methods and the treatment of infertility. Ensuring access to preferred contraceptive methods for women and couples is essential to securing the well-being and autonomy of women. The promotion of family planning supports the health and development of communities.
Family Planning
The ability to choose if and when to become pregnant has a direct impact on a woman’s health and well-being. The spacing of pregnancies and delay of pregnancies in young women at increased risk of health problems and death from early childbearing demonstrates family planning's benefits to those who practice it. Family planning prevents unintended pregnancies. This would include those of older women who face increased risks related to pregnancy. Women who wish to limit the size of their families are enabled by family planning to do so. Research suggests that women who have more than 4 children are at increased risk of maternal mortality. Family planning also reduces the need for unsafe abortions by reducing rates of unintended pregnancies
There are myriad benefits of family planning including empowering people and enhancing education. It has been noted that family planning represents an opportunity for women to pursue enhanced education and increased participation in public life. This would further include paid employment in non-family organizations. Furthermore family planning helps people make informed choices about their reproductive and sexual health. Family planning is also responsible for saving children's lives as there are strong links between family planning and improvements in child health and survival.
Pregnancy
Family planning promotes the prevention of HIV and AIDS by lowering the risk of unintended pregnancies among women living with HIV.This results in fewer infected babies and orphans. Also male and female condoms protect against unintended pregnancies as well as STIs including HIV. Family planning also works to prevent children having children. Complications in pregnancy are the leading killer of girls and young women aged 15–19 throughout the world. Because their bodies are not ready to bear children each year 50,000 teenage girls and young women die during pregnancy or childbirth. Even if the young mothers survive their babies are also at far greater risk than those whose mothers are older.
Preconception care is another method of family planning. This is care before pregnancy and many women of reproductive age can benefit from it. Defined as a set of interventions designed to identify and reduce risks to a woman’s health, preconception care also improves pregnancy outcomes through prevention and management of health conditions. A significant reduction in birth defects and disorders caused by preterm birth can be attributed to family planning.
At Ocala Family Medical Center we strive to offer high quality, compassionate women's healthcare services. We offer a wide range of services that satisfies the unique needs of female healthcare.
Phone: 352-237-4133
Fax: 352-873-4581
E-mail: info@ocalafmc.com
