LIFE CYCLES

LIFE CYCLE

BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR A FAMILY

Benefits of family planning services for personal well-being

Is it a biological imperative or a desire for deeper purpose in life? There can be many reasons why individuals and couples make the choice to raise children. Some might dream of building a life filled with love, while others give into pressures from their parents or partners to carry on a family name or legacy. But before these individuals or couples decide to do the deed, health care experts say that they should first discuss how to establish a safe and supportive environment for their offspring. It is likely they will encounter unexpected obstacles along the way, so it really helps to have a plan.

What are family planning services?

In recent years, the term “family planning” is increasingly used as a catch-all phrase for access to reproductive and sexual health services. The purpose of providing family planning services is to allow individuals the freedom to choose whether or not to start a family, as well as determine the size of their family, spacing of the children and the timing of their births and pregnancies.

Places that offer family planning services also provide women with access to affordable contraceptives, including patches, pills, rings, injections, implants, IUDs, diaphragms and condoms. Some clinics may also offer other basic services, such as annual wellness exams, preconception counseling and education, pregnancy counseling and testing, STI screenings, physical exams and cancer screenings.

Exploring the benefits of family planning services

These health care providers that specialize in reproductive and sexual health services protect the health and well-being of entire communities. The education and services provided reduce the number of sexually transmitted diseases, as well as unintended pregnancies and abortions. Access to contraception and other family planning services regardless of income also removes barriers of inequity.

Prioritizing mental and physical health for families

To increase the confidence and support for expectant parents, family planning also encompasses counseling, education and workshops. Educating individuals about risk factors can help them eliminate potential problems before they become pregnant. From learning about testing for chronic and genetic conditions to discussing how current medication and prescriptions affect a woman’s ability to conceive, experts can answer important questions.

Steps to successfully start family planning

ESTABLISH A BUDGET

It’s no secret that raising children requires financial resources. While gifts from baby showers for first-time parents can help with some of the big expenses, even the small expenses will add up quickly. To avoid surprises, price check items that you will need and create a saving and spending plan.

REVIEW HEALTH COVERAGE AND PARENTAL LEAVE POLICIES

Though health insurance can help cover some of the medical costs, make sure to understand what is and is not covered in a policy. Once the baby is born, don’t forget to update both health and life insurance coverage.

Additionally, remember to use resources, such as paid parental leave. Many employers will offer extra time off as a benefit for new parents. Talk with your human resources department to determine how much paid or unpaid leave is available.

CREATE AN ESTATE PLAN

When bringing new life into the world, it is much more important to think about what you might leave behind. In addition to resources such as life insurance policies, consider creating a will that clearly outlines how assets will be managed after death, and designate a caregiver for your child.

2021 Birth Trends

The report shows a 1% increase in births from 2020, with 3,659,289 births recorded in 2021.

The general fertility rate in 2021 was 56.6 births per 1,000 women ages 15–44, also up 1% from 2020.

In contrast, the number of births and general fertility rate both declined 4% from 2019 to 2020.

Birth rates declined for women in the

age groups between 15 and 24 years, rose for women in the age groups between 25 and 49 years, and were unchanged for adolescents aged 10-14 in 2021.

The birth rate for teenagers ages 15–19 declined by 6% in 2021 to 14.4 births per 1,000 females.

The cesarean delivery rate increased to 32.1% in 2021. The low-risk cesarean

delivery rate increased to 26.3%.

The pre-term birth rate rose 4% in 2021 to 10.48%—the highest rate reported since at least 2007.

SOURCE:

NatiONal CENtER fOR HEaltH StatiStiCS