Family Planning
The Family Planning portion of The BirthBox™ Toolkit was created to supplement care administered by a local health professional. The following handouts can be used to guide discussions ranging from differing birth control techniques to female genital cutting, are FREE to download, and reproduced with permissions. Please see the attributions of the copyright holder at the bottom of each page and please do not remove any attribution information from the handouts. If you encounter any difficulties accessing or downloading any of the PDFs please contact us.
Birth Control Method Options
Understanding how and when to use birth control is an important part of family planning. This handout provides information regarding various birth control methods, detailing their use, effectiveness, and potential complications. Knowledge regarding family planning and the ability to have more control over pregnancy allows families with the space needed to make empowered decisions.
Menstrual Cycle Fact Sheet
The menstrual cycle is a common experience shared by most women, and understanding it’s complexities plays an important role in family planning. This handout provides a basic explanation of the menstrual cycle and gives insight into frequent questions and issues that may arise.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Being aware or tested for a STI is an important step when a mother finds out she is pregnant. Though it can be discouraging to be diagnosed with an active infection there are important family planning decisions that are affected by infections. The following handout discusses decisions that must be made regarding birth and breastfeeding following the diagnosis of a STI.
Female Genital Cutting and Family Planning Fact Sheet
Female genital cutting is a cultural practice that can lead to serious complications and must be a part of the family planning discussion. It is still possible for a woman to become pregnant after FGC, but it is essential she be under close medical care during labor and birth. This handout discusses different methods of FGC, short-term risks, and long-term health complications a woman experiences following genital cutting.