Family Planning

Role Of The Nurse In Family Planning

Nurse play an important role in care of patient, seeking contraceptive advice.

The nurse should have sufficient knowledge related:

Knowledge:

à1 Aspects of individual human rights.

à2 All methods of contraception including efficiency, side effects and contraindication.

à3 Physiological and psychological aspects of male and female sterilization.

à4 Physiological, psychological and pathological, sub-fertility and sexually transmittable diseases.

Skills:

à5 Adapting a non-directive approach when informing, advising and counseling in relation to chosen method.

Teaching the application of

à6 Physiological methods.

à7 Hormonal contraceptive methods.

à8 Spermicidal agents.

à9 Mechanically methods.

Attitudes : Recognize the important of impartial advice.

Þ1 The nurse can asses the woman and husband knowledge of available methods.

Þ2 Assess the couples in selecting an appropriate method by providing information on how methods are used on the advantages and disadvantages, on contraindication, on effectiveness, on potential side effects.

Þ3 Assist with physician or perform the physical examination to determine if any contraindicated reasons for a given method exist.

Þ4 Provide feedback about effectiveness rates, reasons why method not effective.

Þ5 Nurse also provides information about alternatives to sterilization.

Þ6 Nurse acts as a sounding board for people who are exploring the possibility of choosing sterilization of their feeling about and motivation for choice.

Þ7 Nurse records all information which may be the basis for referral to family planning clinic, a psychiatric, social worker or another professional health care providers.

Þ8 Reassurance concerning the hormonal and psychological basis for sexual function and the fact that fallopian tube occlusion or vasectomy has no biologic sequelae in terms of sexual adequacy.

Þ9 If federal funds are to be used for the procedure, the nurse assures that all of the legal requirements are met.

Family Planning Counseling

Definition:

This is one person helping another as they talk face-to-face to help clients choose and continue to use correctly the best family planning methods for them. The best method is:

أ) One that is safe for the client.

ب) One that the client wants to use.

How to make good counseling?

1) Believe in family planning.

2) Learn to :

A) Show your clients that you want to help them.

B) Find out and understand how your clients feel.

C) Give your clients accurate information.

D) Help them make their own decisions about family planning.

Essentials Of Counseling:

Counseling has two parts. Both are important. These are:

1) Show clients that you care about them.

2) Give clear information so clients understand.

1) Show clients that you care about them :

This is reached by 3 qualities:

A) Understanding:

Put yourself in the clients place. Try to understand how the client feels.

B) Respect:

Be friendly and polite.

C) Honesty

Tell the truth. Do not try to hold back information your client wants.

2) Give Clear Information So Clients Understand:

Information must be:

أ) Correct.

ب) Clear:

. Use words which can be understood by clients.

. By using short words and short sentences.

. Use pictures and print materials, if available.

. Show samples of different contraceptives to the client.

i. Stop from time to time and the clients if they understand.

ii. Ask if they have questions.

iii. Repeat instructions.

iv. Ask clients to repeat instructions.

There are three key factors in family planning counseling.

1) Be sure that family planning or the use of contraception is not contraindicated.

2) Present to the couple the various methods which you feel they can use safely from the medical points of view.

3) Together, help them choose the best methods.

The Elements Of Counseling

Counseling about family planning has six elements. You can remember them with the English word GATHER. Counseling should suit the client. Not all the clients need to be counseled in this order. Not all clients need all these elements. Some will need an element repeated. Change how you counsel to fit client’s needs The elements are:

G: Great Clients: by:

Giving them full attention as soon as you meet them. Be polite, greet them, introduce yourself. Ask how you can help. Tell them all they say will be confidential. Conduct counseling where no else can hear.

A: Ask Clients About Themselves:

Ask about age, material status, number of pregnancies, number of births, number of living children, family planning use now and in the past a basic medical information. Explain that you are asking for this information to help them choose the best family planning method.

T: Tell Clients About Family Planning Methods:

¨ Tell them which methods are available and where.

¨ Ask your clients which methods interest them and what they know about it.

¨ Briefly describe each method that the client wants to hear about.

H: Help Clients Choose A Method:

Listening and questioning are important here. Ask them if there is any method they would like to use, some will know what they want while others will seek your advise. In this prospect help them to choose the method and ask them what their sexual partner wants and ask them if there is anything they do not understand.

E: Explain how to use a method:

Explain how to use the method, ask the client to repeat instructions, describe any possible side effects and if possible give the client printed material. Tell the client when to come back for a follow-up visit.

R: Return For Follow-up:

At the follow-up visit: ask the client if she or he is still using the method, ask her about any problems or side effects with the method. If so, find out how severe they are, and suggest how can they relieve them. Finally, ask if the client has any other questions.