Women all across the world continue to be affected by maternal deaths. It's estimated that 300,000+ mothers pass away during pregnancy or childbirth. Similarly, some 700 females succumb to childbirth-related matters every year in the United States. However, the introduction of modern-day contraceptives helped several mothers escape these complications in the 20th century. 

According to statistics, fifty years ago, the average woman delivered five children. But, birth control methods have halved this number today. However, some families are still hostile to family planning, and nurses can help these women realize the benefits of this method. Let's explain how nurses can make family planning acceptable to society. 

How Can Nurses Promote Family Planning?

Why do people even need nurses to learn about birth control methods? Statistics indicate that Americans aren't well-aware of the benefits of contraceptives or the proper utilization of these strategies. We can further learn that 65% of Americans admit to having unprotected sexual relations. Moreover, only one-third of them have used protection. Then we have people not knowing how to "put on" contraceptives or failing to look for damage before using the thing. That's why we need nurses for people's education. We expect RNs to disregard their moral, social, or religious concerns while helping patients understand birth control methods and the concept of family planning. But how should nurses be qualified for this job?

Health workers willing to participate in programs to promote family planning should attain the academic qualifications required for this position. Our country will need almost 100,000 family medicine doctors by 2025. So, RNs can leverage distance learning opportunities to boost their educational excellence. An online MSN FNP program helps them offer quality caregiving to Americans as family nurse practitioners. You shall learn digitally without any campus residency requirement while preparing for the AANP/ANCC certification examination. This degree allows you to become well-versed with the skills required to teach people about family planning and birth control methods. Thus, now you may perform these actions:

1. Explaining the types:

Nurses should explain different categories of birth control methods available to people today. It will allow couples to have the freedom to choose the right family planning strategy. A nurse must encourage couples to choose these methods as per parents' separate circumstances:

IUD (intrauterine devices)
Hormonal (pills and implants)
Barrier (condoms and diaphragms)
Sterilization (vasectomy and tubal ligation)
Natural (lactational amenorrhea ad fertility awareness)

2. A trusted vocation:

So, why should nurses be at the forefront of sexual education? Studies indicate that nurses remain one of the most trustworthy professions in the country. Moreover, 70% of Americans trust nurses to make the right health-related decision for them. So, RNs can leverage this trusting relationship for teaching couples about family planning and the importance of contraceptives for a mother's health. A nurse should maintain a somber attitude while dealing with patients and guiding them correctly. So, patients are more willing to discuss their symptoms with a nurse instead of a doctor because of RNs' rapport-building endeavors. It allows mothers to consult with health workers fearlessly now.

3. Preventing STDs:

Reports indicate that one-fourth of teenagers with STDs still intend to keep having intercourse. How should RNs deal with this problem? Again, spreading awareness regarding family planning can help couples prevent giving each other sexually transmitted diseases. Nurses can educate them about the best method to continue enjoying a licentious existence without harming their partner's health. Moreover, RNs must inform that birth control methods only limit STDs, not abolish the risk 100%!

4. Avoiding sexual mishaps:

Some harrowing statistics have indicated that 30% of American females will get pregnant before twenty! It shows that teenage pregnancies have become a national problem. RNs are our ideal health workers for curbing this problem. Also, more than 50% of teenagers don't intend to use protection while having intercourse. So, RNs can teach them about morning-after methods. They'll explain to how which pill to swallow how many hours after having intercourse. These RNs must also inform their clients regarding follow-up caregiving. That's how our youngsters and RNs can avoid sexual mishaps and educate them about family planning from their maturity.

5. Helping with abortions:

A nurse can explain to couples if abortion's necessary, the procedure that involves it, and methods of subsequent contraception. Mothers can receive personalized instructions from RNs after having an abortion. While nurses also help them realize the mistakes that caused the failure of birth control methods and the ensuing pregnancy. So, patients who forgot to implement the method properly can get RNs to help them. Youngsters who aren't well-versed in sexual intercourse can avoid teenage pregnancies by learning about contraceptives from an experienced nursing workforce. That's how a nurse can "train" couples about responsible parenthood and the importance of family planning too.

6. Educating the public:

A nurse also must explain how birth control methods are beneficial to a woman's health. Hence, RNs should educate couples about how contraceptives improve maternal well-being and boost the child's chances of survival. A study shows that family planning can decrease the number of unsafe abortions worldwide by 64% every year. Moreover, these methods prevent STDs, including HIV/AIDS, from affecting couples, thereby bolstering parents' permanent well-being. When mothers control their children's number and timing, it empowers them, thereby promoting their interests in making a family. These factors make nurses an integral component of sexual education now.

7. Assist in decision-making:

Nurses can help healthcare facilities make the correct decision regarding which birth control method to recommend. A report shows that 95% of emergency contraception provided by British sexual and reproductive health centers involved pills in 2014/15. However, studies have confirmed that IUD has remained a more effective strategy, and several would-be mothers would prefer it. Unfortunately, a report indicates that not even 10% of females attending birth control clinics in the UK use IUD as their preferred family planning method. So, RNs must spread awareness about better approaches to birth control. It'll then enable more families to use contraceptives safely to regulate childbirths.

8. Further responsibilities:

What more can RNs do to promote family planning? Here are some of their further responsibilities:

Raising the age of marriage
Conducting surveys to find eligible couples
Ensuring that contraceptives are available to those in need
Organizing health programs with the focus on birth control methods
Make sure that all eligible couples receive accurate sexual information

Conclusion

We've discussed the benefits of family planning before. It helps women avoid high-risk pregnancies and guarantee responsible motherhood. Having fewer children bolsters a female's well-being, thereby giving spaces between childbirths or restricting them properly can promote the health of one's family. Nurses can educate everyone about family planning being a basic human right in today's world. Experts suggest nurses should be included in all aspects of communal education regarding contraceptives, therefore.

Statistics reveal that 56% of women globally use modern birth control methods, including pills, implants, and condoms. In the United States, almost every sexually active woman has used family planning tactics at some point in her life. A nurse can explain to these women how different contraceptives work while teaching them about morning-after methods in case of unprotected intercourse. Also, RNs should teach men/women about STDs and practices to ensure sexual hygiene for keeping a family sexually healthy.