Two Ways To Make Family Planning Easy And Successful

Choices about having children can be incredibly personal—and challenging—for both individuals and couples, bringing a unique set of considerations about contraceptives, timing, and fertility. With this in mind, how can individuals and their partners best navigate the challenges and stresses of family planning? We will explore this question in more detail in this article.

What is family planning?

Family planning is the practice of making conscious decisions about reproduction. Common considerations involved in family planning include whether a person or couple wants children at all, and if so, how many, when, and where. Additional factors that may be involved in family planning include decisions about contraception, abortion, STI and STD prevention, and management of fertility challenges.

Exploring the challenges of family planning

With so many aspects to consider when it comes to having kids, it may not come as a surprise that family planning can be complicated. Family planning can present a unique set of challenges for both individuals and couples, whether or not they choose to have children. 

Some of the most common family planning-related challenges individuals and couples face include:

• Difficulty conceiving
• Conflict about whether or not to have children, and if so, how many
• Limited access to contraception, emergency contraceptives, or abortion
• Limited access to sexual education
• Side effects of birth control or emergency contraceptives
• Unplanned pregnancy
• Sexually transmitted diseases

Because decisions around having children can be big and emotionally fraught, it’s not uncommon for individuals and couples to experience mental health difficulties as a result of the above challenges. For example, a 2013 study found that unplanned pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and reduced overall happiness in both women and men.

Managing the challenges of family planning

Needless to say, being able to navigate the ups and downs of family planning can be important for one’s mental health and well being. With that in mind, let’s explore several methods for managing the challenges and stresses of family planning, either individually or with your partner. Because these challenges can be varied and far-reaching, keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive. That said, whether you’re considering having children, have decided to wait, or are struggling to conceive, the following strategies may all come in handy:

Communication

Practicing healthy communication can be critical for maintaining healthy relationships, and may become even more important when it comes to making decisions about having children. If you are exploring family planning with your partner or spouse, it may be helpful to practice being open and honest about the emotions and challenges you’re facing. Consider setting aside some time to discuss your goals and expectations around having—or not having—children, and be mindful of healthy communication practices, such as active listening. 

Support groups

Support groups can be an excellent way to connect with others and form relationships based on shared experiences. Whether you are having difficulty conceiving, are facing an unplanned pregnancy, or are facing medical challenges such as STDs or STIs, connecting with a community may be invaluable for getting advice and support.

Community resources

Like support groups, community centers and nonprofit organizations can provide valuable insight and advice about any family planning challenges you may be experiencing. Family planning centers may offer resources such as gynecological services, infertility treatment, birth control, abortion access, STD/STI screening, and counseling. Because the types of services and resources these organizations provide may vary, it’s important to do research ahead of time to make sure you’re getting the right support for your situation. 

Medical practitioners

Similarly, if you find yourself grappling with family planning challenges, getting advice from a healthcare provider may be helpful for understanding the options available to you. You might consider talking to your general practitioner, or to a specialist, such as an OB/GYN, a reproductive endocrinologist, an andrologist, or a reproductive immunologist. 

Therapy

Because family planning challenges can lead to significant stress, as well as a variety of intense emotions, individuals and couples may also find themselves seeking mental health support in the form of therapy. A licensed mental health practitioner can help those facing family planning difficulties explore their emotions, navigate conflicts with their partners, tend to their well being, and find the best path forward based on their situation. 

However, as helpful as therapy can be for navigating family planning decisions, attending in-person counseling isn’t always easy. Factors like scheduling conflicts and work obligations can make commuting to a therapist’s office tricky, and those whose family planning challenges result in conditions like anxiety and depression may find it difficult to leave the house. In these situations, online therapy through a platform like Regain (for couples) or BetterHelp (for individuals) may be an appealing alternative, offering the ability to attend counseling from wherever is most convenient, and to send messages to a licensed counselor at any time of day.

The benefits of online therapy have been studied in both individuals and couples. For example, a study from 2022 found that couples who received internet-based counseling saw similar improvements in relationship satisfaction, anxiety, stress, and depression as those who received in-person counseling. A separate study from 2017 also found that online cognitive behavioral therapy was effective at treating mental health conditions like depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and more. 

Takeaway

Family planning is the process of making conscious choices about having children. It can encompass aspects including contraception and abortion, as well as reproductive health, fertility, and STD/STI prevention. Family planning can bring its own set of challenges, ranging from managing unplanned pregnancies to difficulty having children, limited access to reproductive health services, and side effects from birth control. All of these challenges can have impacts on the mental health of individuals and couples, potentially even resulting in conditions like anxiety and depression. 

Those facing challenges with family planning may find it helpful to communicate with their partners, reach out to support groups or community centers, get the opinion of a medical professional, or seek counseling, whether online or in-person. If you are interested in exploring online therapy, you can get matched with a licensed therapist via Regain (for couples) or BetterHelp (for individuals).