Family planning is the process by which individuals or couples decide if, when, and how many children they want to have. It involves using information, counselling, and methods to plan pregnancies according to their health, personal, and family goals.

Family planning includes:

• Contraception (birth control): Using methods such as condoms, birth control pills, injections, implants, intrauterine devices (IUDs), or natural methods to prevent pregnancy.
• Pregnancy planning: Choosing the best time to become pregnant for the health of the mother and baby.
• Spacing births: Allowing enough time between pregnancies to improve the health of both mother and child.
• Infertility services: Receiving evaluation and treatment for people who have difficulty conceiving.