5 Must-Know Benefits Of Family Planning
By Catherine M, Staff Editor
Last Updated on March 6th, 2023 / Published on October 11, 2018
5 must-know benefits of family planning
In recent years, you might have noticed that a lot of emphases is being put on family planning by the World Health Organization (WHO) and many other health organizations across the world. Most people think that family planning is limited to just using contraceptive to plan the pregnancy; however, the truth is that family planning is a lot more than just deciding when you want to start your family.
When it comes to contraceptive and birth control methods, there are several different ways of doing so. Some of the traditional ways of contraceptive are calendar method and withdrawal. For those who are looking for modern family planning methods, some of the popular ones include condoms for both men and women, oral contraceptive pills, implants, injectable contraceptives, intrauterine devices (IUDs), emergency contraceptive pills, and few others.
Keep reading to get acquainted with some of the important benefits of modern family planning.
Lowers infant mortality
It is not unheard of that couples lose their child and experience miscarriage either because of closely spaced pregnancy or unplanned time of pregnancy. In fact, it won’t be wrong to say that if more people start implementing the concept of family planning then the world’s infant mortality rate will shoot down considerably.
Prevents sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
One of the major benefits of family planning is that it reduces your chances of falling victim to sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms as a contraceptive help to avoid not just unplanned pregnancy but also acts a protective tool against various types of STIs.
Helps in avoiding adolescent pregnancies
If a girl gets pregnant in her teens and if she decides to keep the baby, then often she has to give up her school to raise the child. Even if she decides to put the baby for adoption, she will need to take some time off to get back to school. These situations can be avoided by indulging in safe sex and either going on pills or using a condom during sex. Another reason why adolescent pregnancy should be avoided is that it increases the chances of a woman giving birth to a pre-term baby or neonatal deaths.
Helps in population control
Irrespective of which part of the world you stay, population control is relevant to all of us. Family planning is a must if you don’t want the population of your nation to grow unsustainably. Family planning ensures that the growing population does not overburden the economy or the environment in any way.
Empowers people on a holistic level
Don’t you agree? Imagine a couple does not plan their pregnancy and gives birth to three kids with barely a couple of years gap in between, without spacing the pregnancy. Will they be able to afford to raise these kids? Will they be able to invest in each of the kid to the fullest potential? Whether you would like to admit it or not, the answer in most cases will be no, unless they come from affluent families. That is when family planning comes into the picture. With family planning, parents can plan their pregnancy way in advance and pursue most of the opportunities that life throws their way without their family responsibilities holding them back.
Just keep in mind that it is your right as a human to get to decide how many children you want to bear and how you want to space your pregnancy. Moreover, it is a matter of safety of the mother to use a modern contraceptive method and prevent any fatal health complication that unintended pregnancy and unsafe abortion bring along.