We know family planning can be a challenging process with many decisions to be made. At NewYork-Presbyterian, we partner with you to help you consider your healthcare options and make informed decisions based on what is most important to you and your family.
What is Family Planning?
What is Family Planning?Family planning can help individuals and couples prepare and set goals for pregnancy, whether this means determining the number of children a family wants, the timing of pregnancy, or how to prevent unintended pregnancy.
Unlike natural family planning, which relies on tracking menstrual cycles and ovulation, family planning can involve medical prescriptions and surgical options, including infertility treatments and reproductive services.
Why is Family Planning Important?
ImportanceFamily planning can help prevent unintended pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It can help you plan for your first pregnancy or spacing between additional pregnancies. Spacing pregnancies two or more years apart can result in fewer medical issues for women and healthier babies.
Our Family Planning Services
ServicesThe NewYork-Presbyterian Family Planning Division offers a wide variety of services in a nurturing environment. Whether you seek access to contraception, a pregnancy test, (STI) treatments, or counseling after a miscarriage, our dedicated doctors and support teams are here for you.
Contraception services
We offer evaluation and counseling for all reversible FDA-approved birth control methods, including birth control implants, intrauterine devices (IUDs), injectable contraceptives, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), birth control patches, vaginal rings, barrier methods, and non-hormonal approaches including pH modulators and spermicides. Our clinicians also offer advanced contraception care for use in family planning, including:
- Intrauterine device (IUD) insertion and removal, even when strings are missing
- Removal of deep or impalpable implants
- Emergency contraception with medication and IUD
- Permanent contraception/tubal ligation
- Contraception to alleviate heavy menstrual periods, menstrual pain, or premenstrual symptoms
- Contraception services to help women with complex medical conditions select the best contraceptive option for their condition and long-term health.
Miscarriage care
A pregnancy loss can be unexpected and emotionally painful. Our clinicians are experienced in providing compassionate care for patients who experience miscarriage, including medical and surgical management (both in the office when appropriate and in the operating room), education, resources, and emotional support during this difficult time.
Pregnancy termination
NewYork-Presbyterian offers medical and surgical pregnancy termination services for individuals who decide to terminate a pregnancy, including those with pregnancies complicated by medical conditions or fetal abnormalities.
General gynecological care
Part of family planning includes taking care of your body. Our clinicians provide expert general gynecological care in a range of areas:
- Routine gynecological exams
- Sexually transmitted infection (STI) screenings
- Solutions for heavy menstrual bleeding and menstrual pain
- Fibroids
- Cysts
- Endometriosis
- Infertility issues
Sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and care
(STIs) can pose health risks to you and your partner. They can affect your ability to get pregnant, complicate pregnancies, and infect your unborn child.
NewYork-Presbyterian offers an array of (STI) testing and treatments, including, but not limited to:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Herpes
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Syphilis
- HIV
We also offer counseling and methods for preventing sexually transmitted infections.
Pregnancy testing and counseling
As part of our family planning services, NewYork-Presbyterian provides confidential pregnancy testing. Pregnancy can be confirmed through a blood or urine sample, administered in a safe and sterile setting. If the test is positive, we can provide information and guidance to help make informed decisions about the pregnancy.
Preconception care
Laying the foundation for a healthy pregnancy begins with preconception care. Parents-to-be can assess genetic risks, medical history, occupational risks, fertility obstacles, and other factors that can play into the safety of the mother and unborn child.
Goals of preconception care can include:
- Promoting a healthy lifestyle
- Raising awareness of risk factors in genetics, behaviors, and environment
- Preventing or minimizing health issues for the mother and baby
Our clinicians provide personalized care, support, and guidance to help women achieve a healthy pregnancy.
Our Approach to Care
Our Approach to CareAt NewYork-Presbyterian, we provide family planning care and contraception care that is compassionate and respectful of patients' wishes. Our experienced and compassionate clinicians strive to form a strong bond with each patient to understand their medical history, potential risks for disease, lifestyle habits, and life goals, including their desire to have children.
In addition to using contraception to prevent pregnancy, our clinicians can assess whether contraception can treat menstrual symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding or severe menstrual pain. We offer guidance, knowledge, and support in every phase of life that enable our patients to make informed choices aligned with their health needs, preferences, and reproductive goals.
Care for Complex Medical Needs
Complex Medical ConditionsWhen planning for a family, some women have pre-existing conditions that can prevent them from taking certain contraceptives, make becoming pregnant difficult, or put them in a higher risk category for complications during pregnancy and delivery. These conditions can include
- Hypertension
- Anemia
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Autoimmune disorders
- Cancer
- Neurological disorders
- Endometriosis
- Obesity
- Epilepsy
With advanced fellowship training in complex family planning, our clinicians provide support and expert medical care to women with complex medical conditions, early pregnancy loss, and miscarriage.
Drawing from NewYork-Presbyterian's comprehensive resources and specialists, our clinicians collaborate in multidisciplinary teams with specialists that may include maternal-fetal medicine, reproductive endocrinology, cardiology, endocrinology, and neurology, among others, to provide every individual coordinated and personalized care.
Get Family Planning Services from NewYork-Presbyterian
NewYork-Presbyterian provides comprehensive and personalized family planning and contraception services to patients in a caring and supportive environment. Our family planning specialists offer general gynecologic care, access to contraception, and counseling to prevent unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.