Family planning means deciding how many children to have and when to have them. It also involves planning for a child when a couple has challenges conceiving one.

A third of maternal deaths in the world could be prevented if family planning needs were met. Every day, about a thousand women die from complications in pregnancy and childbirth. Almost all these deaths occur in developing countries.

Benefits of Family Planning

1. Empowers People
2. Reduces Poverty – women able to seize educational and employment opportunities
3. Enhances Quality of Life

Types of Family Planning

1. Sexuality Education
2. Natural Family Planning Techniques
3. Contraception

Sexuality Education

Involves teaching youth how their reproductive systems function, how to use contraceptives and the truth about pregnancy and birth control.

Natural Family Planning Techniques

This teaches couples how to chart fertility cycles. It can be used to either reduce or increase the chances of pregnancy depending on the needs of the couple.

Contraceptives

1. Barrier Methods
   1. These offer some protection from sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS
   2. Examples include; the condom, female condom or femidom and the diaphragm
2. Hormonal Methods
   1. Birth Control Pill or Oral Contraceptive Pill
      1. Taken daily
      2. About 8% of users including those who miss doses may get pregnant
   2. Birth Control Shot/Injection
      1. Only 3% of users get pregnant in a year
      2. Effective for up to three (3) months
   3. Birth Control Implant
      1. Only about 1% of users may get pregnant
      2. May be effective for up to three (3) years
3. Other Contraceptive Methods
   1. Intrauterine Device (IUD)
      1. Placed within the womb
      2. May last up to 12 years
      3. The hormonal varieties may need to be replaced after 5 years
   2. Tubal Ligation
      1. A permanent method
      2. Tubes tied so eggs do not reach the womb
      3. Almost 100% effective
   3. Hysterectomy
      1. The womb is completely taken out. This is often done for other reasons other than contraception.
   4. Vasectomy
      1. Considered a permanent surgical procedure for male sterilization.
      2. Does NOT affect the man’s ability to have satisfying sex.

We should note that the ONLY birth control method that is 100% effective is ABSTINENCE. AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)

Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel

Health Essentials Ltd/ Mobissel

(dressel@healthessentialsgh.com)

*Dr. Essel is a medical doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy, fitness nutrition and corrective exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’

Thought for the week – “Making time to relax, have fun, laugh with loved ones and give especially to the less privileged all make you a healthier person.”- Kojo Essel