Contraceptive Counseling, Birth Control Counseling
Definition
Contraceptive counseling, also known as birth control counseling, is a process in which a healthcare professional provides information, guidance, and support to individuals or couples regarding the various methods of contraception available. The goal is to help them make informed decisions about their reproductive health and family planning.
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Family Planning
The Yale Family Planning program’s vision is to provide reproductive health care rooted in dignity, equity, and science. Our mission is to provide exceptional care through evidence-based medicine, essential education, rigorous research, and advocacy focused on abortion and contraception. We provide compassionate and evidence-based care for people when they need birth control, as well as when they face unexpected or unhealthy pregnancies and need abortion care or miscarriage treatment. We support our patients’ journeys with respect. We know that all people deserve comprehensive information about their treatment options to make the best decision for themselves and their families. When it comes to reproductive health, we put our patients’ needs above all else. Our team includes subspecialty-trained physicians and dedicated nurses who provide compassionate care for our patients and their families. When our patients’ medical needs are complex, we partner with an interdisciplinary team of high-risk obstetricians, anesthesiologists, and medical specialists. Our services include: Pregnancy prevention with contraception: Contraceptive counseling and care Specialty contraceptive care for women with complex medical conditions (bleeding or clotting disorders, kidney failure, prior heart attack, organ transplant, or weight-loss surgery) Expertise with intrauterine devices and arm implants Pregnancy loss care: All options for management of early miscarriage Surgical management of second trimester pregnancy loss Bereavement support for pregnancy loss Abortion care: Medical abortion care in the first trimester Surgical abortion care through 23+6/7 weeks gestation Option of general anesthesia (to be “asleep“) for the procedure Bereavement support for ending a pregnancy Preoperative visit. This visit will include counseling, a medical history review, an exam (possible ultrasound and pelvic exam) and possible blood testing. The doctor will also review preoperative instructions (including arrival time for procedures), and consent forms will need to be signed. Patients should plan 1 to 1.5 hours for this visit. A support person is welcome. Before a preoperative visit, patients may need to have a separate ultrasound visit. Operative visit. Generally, the operative procedure will be the next day. Patients must not eat or drink for at least 8 hours before the procedure time, usually not after midnight the night before. Since patients will be affected by the anesthesia for the rest of the day after the procedure, they must have a ride home with someone who is at least 18 years old. They should plan to spend 5 to 6 hours at the hospital this day. Contraceptive visit. At this visit, we will review the patients’ medical history, counsel them on options for contraception, help them select a method that is right for them, and start that method. To prevent a concern for possible pregnancy at this visit, patients should not have unprotected sex for 15 days bReproductive Genetic Counseling Program
The Reproductive Genetic Counseling Program at Yale is made up of board certified and licensed genetic counselors and physicians who specialize in prenatal and reproductive genetic risk assessment and the latest genetic testing technologies. Our team provides expert guidance for individuals and couples who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. As part of the genetic counseling process, our genetic counselors may obtain pregnancy, medical, and family histories; review test results; identify and address issues of concern; describe available screening and diagnostic test options; advocate for their patients; provide short-term psycho-social support; collaborate with specialists; and assist individuals with making decisions that are best for themselves and their families. Common reasons for referral include: Personal or family history of a known or suspected genetic condition Personal or family history of a congenital disorder and/or intellectual disability Multi-fetal pregnancy (twins, triplets, quadruplets, etc.) Abnormal ultrasound findings Recurrent pregnancy loss Abnormal cell-free DNA or maternal serum screening results Interest in pursuing prenatal diagnostic testing (chorionic villus sampling [CVS] or amniocentesis) Some test options that may be discussed during a reproductive genetic counseling session include: Genetic carrier screening First trimester ultrasound with nuchal translucency assessment Second trimester fetal anatomy scan Screening tests Combined first trimester screening Second trimester maternal serum marker screening (i.e. quad screen) Cell-free DNA screening Diagnostic testing Chorionic villus sampling Amniocentesis F.I.S.H. analysis Standard chromosome analysis Microarray analysis/array comparative genomic hybridization Whole exome sequencing Preimplantation genetic testing (P.G.T.) For appointments, please call 203-495-2949