Contraception is very important, for oneself, for the life partner and for the environment, for the mental and physical health of all the family members, and for the economic future of the whole family

Mission Parivar Vikas, a central family planning initiative, has also been launched by the Ministry. The key strategic focus of this initiative is on improving access to contraceptives through delivering assured services, ensuring commodity security, and accelerating access to high-quality family planning services.

The main objective of the Mission Parivar Vikas family planning initiative is to bring down the Total Fertility Rate to 2.1 by the year 2025.

Dr. Ruchi Ahuja is now practicing as a senior consultant at AHUJA Clinic and the divine group of hospitals at Sec 18 Chandigarh. Presently Dr. Ruchi Ahuja is a  gynecologist in India who holds a degree in breast diseases.

She is a visiting consultant at Cloud nine hospital, Chandigarh. She has more than 12 years of experience in this field. She can handle all obstetric cases (including high-risk pregnancy) and Gynecological cases and surgeries including laparoscopic surgeries.

Take initiative about family planning at right time- 

Dr. Ruchi Ahuja informs, “ There are different case scenarios- 

Case Scenario 1 - Visit the doctor for newlywed couples and visit the doctor at the right time. Counseling and contraception must be taken into consideration for newly married couples ready to tie a knot. 

Case Scenario 2 - After the birth of the first baby. Couples should have knowledge after the first pregnancy and baby birth about the second child and plan it accordingly. Generally, there are irregular cycles can cause unplanned second pregnancies. Couples should consult a doctor in such cases.  

Case Scenario 3 - Due to the westernized culture in teenagers, Knowledge about contraception and unplanned pregnancies is a must. Lack of awareness may cause complications. 

The right choice of contraception 

Dr. Ruchi says, “There is no ideal contraception to prevent 100% chances of pregnancy with no side effects.  Easy to use, cost-effective, and available contraception is considered effective and ideal contraception. We give all options about contraception and help the patient choose which is the most effective and best choice of contraception. There are different categories of patients- 

Category 1- Newlywed and relationship 

Barrier methods and oral contraceptives methods are the best. 

Category 2 - After the first birth 

Oral contraceptive and barrier methods along with permanent methods like IUCD etc

Category 3- Spacing method 

ICUD and barrier methods are effective

Consult the doctor who will make you aware of the contraindications and help you choose the best method accordingly depending on age and needs.”

Types of contraception 

Dr. Ruchi states, “ The two major types of contraception are - 

Permanent Contraception 

Female sterilization like tubal ligation  Male sterilization like vasectomy 

Temporary Contraception 

Natural methods - which included, tracking calendar days and nonrisky days, Keeping track of cervical mucus. This method is unsafe and can lead to pregnancy

Chemical methods like hormonal injectables, implants, etc help prevent ovulation, and the uterus lining becomes receptive. 

Mechanical methods like cervical cap and diaphragm, IUD - t shaped device which is inserted in the uterus to prevent pregnancy known as copper T.

Edited by Dr.Rati Parwani