Family planning has been a topic of discussion since time immemorial. But there is an increasing need to create awareness on planning when to have children. Like all matters of life, planning is essential to ensure less burden on the outcome. Having children is such a life-changing event that it should ideally be a topic discussed with high priority. Everyone should have the freedom of deciding on the number of children they have.
Most importantly, everyone has the right to decide when to have children. More people who are sexually active than before, with the traditional customs of abstinence waning. This is an important consideration, especially when individuals start engaging in sexual activities in their teenage years. This article describes the importance of family planning in the current world.
Content Compass
Why is family planning important?
1. Prevents unwanted pregnancies
Family planning assists in preventing unwanted pregnancies and gives women control over when they wish to have children. They can delay this to whenever they feel ready and avoid the burden of having an unplanned pregnancy. This is especially relevant to sexually active teenage girls who are not prepared for this phase in their life. More often, unplanned pregnancies cause a financial strain on families due to the significant associated costs of giving birth and raising a child.
2. Prevents pregnancy complications
Family planning assists women in avoiding pregnancy complications. These complications pose a health risk to both mother and child and could occur before, during, or after the child’s birth. Some of these complications include:
- High blood pressure
- Gestational diabetes
- Miscarriage
- Infections
- Stillbirth
Family planning allows you to determine the number of children you have. Women that have more than four children are at an increased risk of maternal mortality hence the need for family planning. Furthermore, those over the age of 35 are more susceptible to health risks associated with pregnancy.
3. Reduces adolescent pregnancies
Additionally, children born to teenage girls are more susceptible to being preterm babies. This is usually any period before the 37 week gestation period.
Unintended pregnancies in adolescent girls have a physical, emotional, and financial burden. There are long-term effects such as reduced social life due to the responsibility of raising a child at an early age. In addition, there is interruption of the mother’s education which can affect their academic achievement.
4. Reduces abortion rates
Family planning increases awareness of sex education and helps women to not conceive without the intent.
But women may have to seek abortion services on unintended pregnancy. However, this puts them at risk of unsafe abortion without awareness of their sexual health. Family planning allows women to avoid unintended pregnancy that would force them down this route.
5. Prevents sexually transmitted diseases
Sexually active couples and individuals protect themselves from STDs through family planning and contraception. Condoms are effective in preventing unintended pregnancies and STDs. The use of male or female condoms consistently and correctly significantly reduces the exposure risk to STDs.
6. Reduces ovarian cysts
Family planning through birth control pills reduces the risk of ovarian cysts.
7. Assists in preventing anemia
The use of birth control for ladies assists in reducing menstrual bleeding. This effectively reduces the chances of having anemia by reducing blood loss.
8. Regulates the menstrual cycle
Birth control pills assist in regulating the menstrual cycle for those who have irregular periods. It is a welcome benefit on top of the other importance of planned parenthood.
Conclusion
Family planning is essential to assist in spacing children while also giving the freedom to decide on the number of children. Therefore, it is highly advisable to have an effective family planning method.