Fertility and Family Planning: Important Considerations for Couples Planning to Have a Baby in the Future

Family planning and preparation for conception are fundamental stages in the journey towards parenthood. Before embarking on this exciting chapter of life, couples should consider a series of factors related to fertility and preconception health. In this article, we will delve into these key considerations, drawing on relevant research and studies.

1. Fertility Assessment: Fertility assessment is a crucial step in understanding a couple's chances of conceiving. Studies such as that conducted by Thoma et al. (2013) have highlighted the prevalence of infertility in the United States, emphasizing the importance of identifying potential fertility issues from the outset. Assessment is not limited to women alone but also involves men, as fertility matters for both partners. Additionally, guidelines and recommendations on preconception care in European countries, as mentioned in the study by Shawe et al. (2015), underscore the importance of addressing any health issues that may affect fertility before attempting to conceive.
   

2. Preconception Health: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential for optimizing the chances of conception and ensuring a healthy pregnancy. Research by Mikkelsen et al. (2013) has explored the use of oral contraceptives before pregnancy and their impact on the time needed to conceive, highlighting the importance of considering contraceptive history when planning a pregnancy. Furthermore, recommendations from the Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (2015) on the diagnostic evaluation of infertile women emphasize the importance of addressing any reproductive health issues before attempting to conceive.

3. Education on Family Planning: Education on contraceptive methods and responsible family planning are key aspect to consider before embarking on parenthood. The study by Brunner Huber (2012) on the validity of self-reported contraceptive use highlights the importance of understanding and correctly using contraceptive methods to avoid unwanted pregnancies and plan for the right time to conceive. Additionally, the study by Potter et al. (2014) emphasizes the importance of addressing the unmet demand for postpartum contraceptives to ensure effective and safe family planning.

By carefully considering fertility assessment, maintaining optimal preconception health, and receiving education on family planning, couples can effectively prepare for the exciting journey toward parenthood. These considerations must be addressed with due attention and care, as they can significantly influence the chances of conception and the overall health of the future baby and family.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of key considerations for couples planning to have a baby in the future, supported by relevant research and studies in fertility and family planning.

:REFERENCES

1.     Thoma ME, McLain AC, Louis JF, et al. Prevalence of infertility in the United States as estimated by the current duration approach and a traditional constructed approach. Fertility and Sterility. 2013;99(5):1324–1331.

2.     Shawe J, Delbaere I, Ekstrand M, Hegaard HK, Larsson M, Mastroiacovo P, et al. Preconception care policy, guidelines, recommendations and services across six European countries: Belgium (Flanders), Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 2015;20(2):77–87.

3.     Brunner Huber LR. Validity of self-reported contraceptive use in an urban clinic population. Contraception. 2012;85(4):402–406.

4.     Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Diagnostic evaluation of the infertile female: a committee opinion. Fertility and Sterility. 2015;103(6):e44–e50.

5.     Mikkelsen EM, Riis AH, Wise LA, Hatch EE, Rothman KJ, Cueto HT, et al. Pre-gravid oral contraceptive use and time to pregnancy: a Danish prospective cohort study. Hum Reprod. 2013;28(5):1398–1405.

6.     Potter JE, Hopkins K, Aiken AR, Hubert C, Stevenson AJ, White K, et al. Unmet demand