Family Planning is the voluntary, pre-pregnancy planning and action of people to prevent, delay, or achieve a pregnancy. Family Planning is a federally funded program that:

• Is available for males and females of reproductive ages
• Promotes the well being of families; responsible behavior, healthy mothers and babies
• Prevents unintended pregnancies and abortion, through education and contraceptive services
• Allows for the planning and timing of pregnancies
• Provides confidential services on a discounted fee system.
• Family Planning can help you and your family have a better life! By being able to plan and space pregnancies and children:
• Mothers and babies have a better chance at being healthy
• Parents can better provide for their family –both financially and emotionally
• Children get more time and attention

Family planning methods include: abstinence, natural family planning, condoms, birth control pills, hormonal injections, IUDs, diaphragms and all FDA approved methods of fertility control.

Family planning services require an appointment to be seen with the exception of pregnancy testing. Service charges are based upon a sliding scale fee system which may discount or slide the service fees to zero.
Services are available at the following clinics: Family Health Clinic (Adult Care section), Ooltewah Health Clinic, Birchwood Health Clinic, and the Sequoyah Health Clinic
Family Planning services include:

• Physical exam (including a medical history, pap smear, clinical breast exam, height/weight and blood pressure)
• Family Planning counseling and education--including information on all contraceptive methods and safe sex practices.
• Testing for pregnancy, STD, and HIV
• Birth Control supplies
• Pre-conceptual counseling (making yourself as healthy as possible before getting pregnant)

What is unintended pregnancy?
An unintended pregnancy is one that is unwanted or mistimed at the time of conception. It does not mean an unwanted birth or an unloved child. It does mean that there is less opportunity for the parents to prepare physically and financially, take advantage of pre-pregnancy risk identification and management, and start needed changes in diet, exercise, smoking and drinking that help ensure a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Why is unintended pregnancy a problem?
For some, unintended pregnancies result in healthy children in happy families. For others there are negative health effects from late or inadequate prenatal care, low birth weight, fetal exposure to alcohol, tobacco smoke and other toxins, and maternal depression. Unintended pregnancies are also associated with economic hardship, marital dissolution, poor child health and development, spouse abuse, and child abuse and neglect. Almost half of all unintended pregnancies result in induced abortion.

WAYS TO PREPARE FOR A HEALTHY PREGNANCY (Preconceptual Care):

Folic Acid - Folic acid is a B vitamin that women should take every day if they might become pregnant. Folic acid may help reduce the risk of having a baby with certain birth defects of the brain and spinal cord. It's most important for a woman to have enough folic acid in her system right before and early in pregnancy. Folic acid supplements can help provide the folic acid needed. Folic acid information is available at any of the following clinics: Family Health Clinic (Adult Care section), Ooltewah Health Clinic, Birchwood Health Clinic, and the Sequoyah Health Clinic.

To learn more, visit: March of Dimes website, CDC Folic Acid.

Pregnancy is a very important time to have and keep good health habits. Everything that you do during pregnancy affects your baby is some way. The most important step you can take is to start seeing a doctor or health care provider for prenatal care as early as possible. This is to help ensure the best possible outcome: a healthy baby and mother. By beginning care early, some problems during pregnancy and delivery may be prevented. Women who start prenatal basic care visits during the first 3 months of pregnancy tend to have fewer problems with their pregnancy and have healthier babies.

The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department refers to local providers for prenatal care.

Entry into care or Basic prenatal services include:

• Pregnancy testing
• General health and pregnancy information or education
• Presumptive Eligibility and TennCare enrollment
• Referral for WIC and other Health Department programs
• Referral for obstetric medical management
• 6 weeks post-partum check-up and availability of contraceptive services (Family Planning)

Basic Prenatal service is provided at the following clinics:
Family Health Clinic (Adult Care section), Ooltewah Health Clinic, Birchwood Health Clinic, and the Sequoyah Health Clinic.
Things to do as soon as you think you might be pregnant:

• Call your doctor or health care provider for an appointment for prenatal care
• Eat Healthy
• Take folic acid supplements-400 mcg per day
• Only take medications that are absolutely necessary
• Stop or cut back on smoking and/or drinking alcohol

Something to remember: It is important to talk to your partner (if you are in a safe relationship) and health care provider about any concerns that you may have. NO question is silly. Pregnancy is an exciting but anxiety-filled time. An honest discussion of your worries and fears can help you make good decisions about your health and the health of your unborn baby. Being informed and going to all your check-ups are two of the best things you can do for your baby.

Emergency Contraception is a measure that is used to prevent pregnancy for women who have had unprotected vaginal sex within the last 72 hours. Emergency contraception can be used after forced sex (if a woman has been assaulted), or if a birth control method is forgotten, or if a method fails (for example, if a condom breaks). It will not end an existing pregnancy (it is not a method of abortion) and it will not protect a person from sexually transmitted diseases or HIV infection and it does not replace a regular method of birth control. Emergency contraception does not work every time but may prevent pregnancy from occurring in about 75-89% of the women who use it.

Emergency contraceptive services are available at the following clinics:
Birchwood Clinic, Family Health Clinic-Adult section, Ooltewah Health Clinic, and Sequoyah Health Clinic.

If the unprotected intercourse (sex) is the result of a rape or sexual assault call:
Rape Crisis Center (423) 755-2700 OR visit Partnership.
For general information about domestic violence, sexual assault, or rape, visit:

• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233)
• Personal Safety Education at the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department
• Aware.org (Arming Women Against Rape and Endangerment)