We specialize in high-risk pregnancy.
We work to minimize complications and help you achieve the healthiest pregnancy possible.
Family Planning and Birth Control
Family planning and choosing a method of birth control are some of the most important decisions you’ll make in your life.
To make the best choices, you need reliable information about contraceptive methods and preconception care, and medical advice to be sure the method is safe for you. The doctors at Rosh Maternal & Fetal Medicine offer all of those services along with their expertise in family planning and birth control. Please don’t hesitate to call their office in the Midtown East area of New York City or schedule an appointment online.
Family Planning and Birth Control Q & A
Q.
Why should you consider preconception health care?
A.
When it comes to family planning, the most important decisions revolve around when to have a baby and the type of birth control you’ll use. But in the year before you plan to get pregnant, taking another step — scheduling a preconception care appointment — can help ensure that your body is physically ready to support a pregnancy and have a healthy baby.
If you aren’t in optimal health before you get pregnant, you may put your baby’s health at risk. A preconception appointment is used to evaluate health conditions that should be treated prior to learning you’re pregnant. These are just a few examples of issues that may affect your pregnancy:
Folic acid deficiency
Neural tube defects occur in the first four weeks of pregnancy, but they can be prevented if you consume the right amount of folic acid. These birth defects are reduced by 80% when folic acid supplementation begins before pregnancy.
Diabetes
Your blood sugar should always be well controlled if you have diabetes, but it’s especially important during pregnancy. Uncontrolled diabetes increases the risk of a preterm delivery and a high-risk pregnancy.
High blood pressure
When blood pressure is high before pregnancy, you’re more likely to develop preeclampsia, which is high blood pressure during pregnancy that may cause serious complications.
Q.
How effective are different types of birth control?
A.
The different methods of birth control have varying rates of effectiveness:
- Intrauterine devices (IUD): Nearly 100% effective
- Sterilization: Nearly 100% effective
- Hormones (pills, injection, pellets, ring, or patch): 91-94% effective
- Hormonal implant: 99% effective
- Diaphragm: 88% effective
- Male condoms: 85% effective
- Female condoms: 79% effective
- Sponge: 76-88% effective
Birth control methods that require taking a pill or that are used right before intercourse are less effective simply due to human variables. For example, you may forget to take a pill or decide not to ruin the moment by stopping to use a condom.
Q.
What factors should you consider when choosing birth control?
A.
Even if you already have a birth control method in mind, other issues could change your choice. You may discover that certain types of birth control are better for your lifestyle or reproductive health.
Your doctor can tell you about potential side effects associated with hormones and whether they’re safe for you. You may also want to consider whether the birth control you choose is quick and easy to reverse. For example, IUDs are just as effective as permanent sterilization, but you can safely get pregnant as soon as the IUD is removed.
Come visit your Manhattan OBGYN.
