Family Planning

A miscarriage of a pregnancy can happen for a variety of reasons, and early pregnancy loss, in particular, is more common than most people realize: it happens in 10 to 30 percent of pregnancies, and is more common as women get older. About 80 percent of miscarriages occur in the first trimester, chiefly due to abnormal chromosomal development in the baby, something that is pre-determined at the time of conception. This means that nothing you could have done would have changed the outcome of the pregnancy.

Fertility can be affected by a number of factors. Today, there are many different treatment options for couples hoping to conceive including medication, insemination, surgery or assisted reproductive technologies. What works for one couple may not work for another.

If you are sexually active, but are not ready for pregnancy, your caregiver can provide a variety of contraceptive options. Some forms of contraception work by adjusting the hormones in your body, while others create a temporary barrier between the egg and sperm.

If you feel ready to become pregnant, you may make an appointment to discuss preconception counseling. Your caregiver will help you maximize your health to prepare to nurture your baby. During this visit, you may talk about lifestyle and nutrition, start prenatal vitamins, have a blood test, and review medical history.

Permanent sterilization can happen in several ways depending on your needs. Essure, laparoscopic tubal ligation, and vasectomy (for males) are some forms of sterilization.

You may choose an intrauterine device (IUD) as your preferred form of birth control. An IUD is a small T-shaped object that is inserted and remains in your uterus, but it is removable. There are two types of IUDs that damage sperm before fertilization.