Family planning is a process that allows couples to discuss and decide how many children they want and when they want to have them. This planning process may involve interaction with a family planning counselor. Such planning will include discussions on the time period during the menstrual cycle when the female is most likely to be fertile. Couples wanting children should copulate at this time for an increased chance at successful fertilization.
Family planning will also involve discussions about preventing pregnancy for those couples wishing to wait to a later date to have offspring. Such discussions might focus on the time during the menstrual cycle when it is 'safe' for intercourse, to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. This is termed the rhythm method. The couple try to develop a rhythm or schedule for having intercourse only on the 'safe' days of the menstrual cycle. This may also involve testing the female for the LH surge or for temperature changes which helps determine when ovulation has occurred.
Contraception involves the use of mechanical or chemical methods to prevent conception. Such methods allow couples to have sexual intercourse throughout the menstrual cycle. It is used by couples who do not want a child, or by those wishing to delay having a child until a predetermined time.
Examples of Mechanical Contraception:
a) Intra-uterine devices (IUD): Plastic or metal objects inserted into the uterus and left there for months or years. These irritate the lining of the uterus slightly and prevent implantation of the embryo into the uterine lining.
b) Diaphragm: A thin but strong barrier of plastic or rubber inserted into the vagina to cover the uterus and prevent sperm from traveling into the uterus. The diaphragm is put in place prior to sexual intercourse and is often used with a spermicidal gel to kill sperm that may succeed in passing the diaphragm.
c) Condoms: A thin but strong barrier of plastic or rubber unrolled over the erect penis before intercourse. The condom catches the semen and is removed after withdrawing the peins from the vagina to prevent transfer of sperm to the vagina.
Examples of Chemical Contraception:
a) Contraceptive Pills: Female contraceptive pills contain hormones that prevent ovulation or prevent implantation of embryos by altering the uterine lining so implantation does not occur. Typically, one contraceptive pill is taken each day.
b) Spermicidal Gel: When used with the diaphragm, spermicidal gels destroy sperm that pass the diaphragm and prevent them from reaching the uterus.
c) Morning After Pill:
Arguments For: |
Arguments Against: |
| 1. Prevents the birth of unwanted & possibly unloved children. | 1. Many religions believe it is wrong to intervene in natural processes like conception. |
| 2. Prevents birth of children with genetic disease when one or both parents are carriers of the disease. | 2. Use of contraceptives may increase promiscuity or underage sex. |
| 3. Allows women the right to choose whether they become pregnant or not, or prevents pregnancy until a time of their choosing. | 3. Use of contraceptives could increase the risk of spreading sexually transmitted diseases. |
| 4. Reduces the human population, reducing environmental impacts on the biosphere. | 4. Some methods involve the death of fertilized eggs or young embryos which are human lives. Such methods include abortion or the morning after pill. |