Family planning extends beyond deciding when to have children, or how many children you want. Family planning includes the use of contraceptives to manage physical and mental health, as well as your budget in economically tough times. Contraceptives include ‘the pill’ (female contraceptive, intrauterine device (IUD) and condoms.
Healthier children and reduced infant mortality
Family planning can help prevent pregnancies that happen too soon after a previous pregnancy, which may lead to poor maternal health and, in turn, affect the baby’s health during pregnancy.
Prevent sexually transmitted infections
Both male and female condoms can help prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV and AIDS, during intercourse. Access to condoms can also help prevent unplanned pregnancies among women with HIV, resulting in fewer infected babies.
Empower women
Family planning provides women with more control over their reproductive health, as well as the best time to pursue opportunities, such as education and employment.
Bestmed’s preventative care benefits
Bestmed Medical Scheme offers female contraceptives to all women of child-bearing age on all benefit options.
Women on all Bestmed options, except Beat1, may visit a gynaecologist or their family practitioner for the insertion of an IUD once every five years. The consultation and procedure are paid from Scheme risk benefits. Funding is subject to the female contraceptive benefit limit.
References
PRB. 2010. Family Planning Improves the Economic Well-Being of Families and Communities. Available [Online]: https://www.prb.org/resources/family-planning-improves-the-economic-well-being-of-families-and-communities/
Western Cape Government. 2020. Family Planning: Empowering People, Developing Nations. Available [Online]: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/general-publication/family-planning-empowering-people-developing-nations
Family Planning. 2022. Available [Online]: https://familyplanning.org.nz/news/2013/benefits-of-contraception-use?utm
