As Michigan’s leader in women’s health services, Northline Women’s Health Center offers a full range of family planning services at our Southgate, Brownstown and Downriver locations.
Defining Family Planning
The goal of family planning is to determine how many children you wish to have and plan for your physical, emotional and financial needs during your pregnancy. It also involves spacing the time between births if you wish to have multiple children and using contraceptive methods when you do not want to become pregnant.
Family planning services include:
- Contraceptive prescription
- Pregnancy testing
- Fertility testing and counseling
- Breast and pelvic exams
- Sexually transmitted disease prevention, testing and treatment
- Reproductive education
Planning for pregnancy prevents delays in prenatal care that may negatively affect your health and the health of your baby. These services also help you prepare for breastfeeding if you choose to pursue that option. Your obstetrician can also address postpartum depression and other conditions that affect your overall well-being.
Types of Contraception
For good health during your reproductive years, it’s important to plan when or if you want to become pregnant. Northline Women’s Health Center can help with family planning methods, including:
- Hormonal contraception, such as birth control pills, shots, patches, vaginal rings and implants (Nexplanon)
- IUDs (Mirena or Paragard)
- Barrier methods, such as condoms, diaphragms and sponges
- Permanent sterilization surgery through laparoscopic tubal ligation
- Natural family planning
Effectiveness of Contraception
Abstinence is the only 100% effective way to prevent pregnancy and protect against sexually transmitted infections. An IUD can be up to 99% effective, and hormonal contraception can be up to 91% effective in preventing pregnancy.
A barrier method offers protection that does not interact with your body's reproductive system. It can be from 85% to 98% effective in preventing pregnancy, depending on proper use. A barrier method also needs to be used each time you have sex.
Permanent surgical sterilization can be up to 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. We also teach natural family planning that tracks your menstrual cycle, cervical mucus and body temperature to determine which days you should avoid sex.
Schedule a Family Planning Appointment at Northline
Make an appointment at our Brownstown or Southgate, Michigan offices to discuss a family planning option that's right for you.
