Family Planning

Family Planning

The term family planning means much more than just trying to have a baby or not. It includes services like sexual education and reproductive health care. It’s contraception, preconception services and fertility care. It’s also supporting families through pregnancy and infant loss. At Sanford Health, our experts can help you plan your life around the family you want and support you on that journey.

Family Planning Services We Offer

• Sexual education and health care
• Contraception
• Preconception health care
• Fertility care and support
• Pregnancy and infant loss support

Sexual Health Care & Education

Sexual health is a crucial part of the overall wellness of individuals, couples and families. We provide a wide array of gynecological services that support your reproductive health. Our services include screenings and treatments for sexually transmitted infections, as well as addressing concerns like vaginal dryness and discomfort during intimacy.

Additionally, we provide the education and science-based resources to help nurture a healthy sex life. Beyond the physical aspects of sexual health, our providers can share information about creating healthy relationships and offer essential mental health support.

Contraception

The most suitable birth control option for you is one that ensures safety, aligns with your comfort level and allows for consistent and correct usage. Your preferred method may evolve throughout your life, influenced by various factors such as age and health history. Our team is here to guide you on a journey that includes both preventing pregnancy and helping you stop birth control if you’re ready to conceive.

At Sanford Health, we provide the following contraception options:

• Oral contraception (the pill)
• Contraceptive patch
• Contraceptive implant
• Vaginal ring contraception
• Depo-Provera injection (shot)
• Intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system
• Tubal ligation
• Vasectomy

Your provider can help you decide the best contraception option to fit your needs.

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Preconception Health Care

When you’re ready to start trying for a baby, Sanford Health offers preconception visits and education. During a preconception visit, your pregnancy care provider will share what you need to know about fertility, getting pregnant, early pregnancy and anything else you may need to know based on your medical history. You’ll also have time to ask questions. Your partner’s health also plays a role in your ability to get pregnant and should be addressed at this time.

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The first few weeks of pregnancy are crucial in a child's development. Planning ahead and taking care of yourself before becoming pregnant is the best thing you can do for you and your baby. Start by stopping smoking, eating nutritious foods and ensuring you get your daily vitamins. Click here to learn more about how to plan for pregnancy.

Fertility Care & Support

If you have questions about fertility or are having difficulty getting pregnant, there’s a lot our team can do to help. Start the conversation with your pregnancy care provider and if necessary, we can refer you to our fertility clinic for additional care.

Learn more about fertility and reproductive medicine.

Pregnancy & Infant Loss

The loss of a pregnancy or child can bring unimaginable pain, trauma and grief, leaving families feeling lost. There are different causes and types of pregnancy and infant loss, including miscarriage, stillbirth and birth defects that result in a baby's death, but no matter how you experience such a loss, we want you to know that you are not alone.

Learn more about pregnancy and infant loss.

If you are in need of immediate mental health support for pregnancy and infant loss, please call the Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746).

• You’ll speak with volunteers specifically trained to offer mental health support surrounding pregnancy, postpartum, infant loss and miscarriage. Free, confidential help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

We are here to support those who have suffered a loss and can connect you to resources, support groups and memorial services near you.

• Resources include local organizations and professionals dedicated to offering support for you during this time.
• Support groups are made up of other families experiencing a loss. Connecting with others going through something similar, both virtually and in person, can help keep you from feeling isolated.
• Memorial services are special ceremonies created to remember and celebrate the life of your loved one.

Reach out to your pregnancy care provider for specific information about what is available in your community.