Planning your family is wise whether you want to get pregnant in the near future, put off pregnancy for a period of time or avoid pregnancy altogether. Choose the family planning tools that allow you to meet your objectives. Consult with your doctor and then make the choice that works for you and your partner.
Barrier Methods
Barrier methods for family planning include male and female condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps and sponges, according to the University of Cincinnati. Barrier methods help prevent sexually transmitted diseases and are easily attainable and relatively inexpensive. No prescription is required for many of the methods, although a diaphragm or cervical cap requires fitting by a medical professional. An advantage to using a barrier method when planning your family is that you can discontinue using the method at any time, thus making attempting a pregnancy easier. The methods range in effectiveness from 82 to 98 percent based on the type and accuracy of use, according to the University of Cincinnati.
Chemical Methods
You can use chemical forms of birth control to plan your family. Chemical methods include the birth control pill and vaginal spermicides in the form of foams or gels. The pill is 97 to 99.5 percent effective, while the vaginal spermicides are only 74 to 94 percent effective, according to Arizona State University. Choose a longer-term birth control option like the Depo-Provera shot or use patches or vaginal rings you wear for three weeks and remove for one week as other highly effective methods of birth control. You must visit your doctor to use the pill, shot or patches.
Sterilization Method
Sterilization is one of the most effective forms of family planning, with only about one pregnancy among 100 women and men, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Office of Women's Health. Surgical sterilization is performed by a doctor. You should consider sterilization as a permanent option. A vascetomy is the male form of sterilization and a tubal ligation is the female version. If you are young, carefully consider your options before deciding on sterilization as a family planning tool.
Natural Methods
Fertility awareness is a natural form of birth control that requires a woman to be aware of fertility signs. Pregnancy can potentially be avoided by practicing abstinence during your fertile times. You must understand when you are fertile. The MayoClinic.com recommends you use a fertility chart to track your basal body temperature, cervical mucus patterns and ovulation predictor kit results. The combination of these three enables you to pinpoint your ovulation patterns and plan your family accordingly.
