Taking care of our reproductive and sexual health is important to our overall health and well- being.  Here’s a few simple things women can do to improve their health and the health of their families.

Find the best family planning method for you

If you are sexually active, but do not wish to become pregnant or contract a sexually transmitted disease, you are in need of birth control.  When choosing a method that’s right for you it’s important to review all your options.

Planned Parenthood has an excellent tool to help you decide what birth control is best for you.  My Method will suggest the birth control methods that may be right for you. All you do is answer a few questions and it provides you with information about each method.

Space your births

Mothers can give their babies a healthy start in life by planning their pregnancies.  There are many factors in deciding what is the optimal time interval between pregnancies.  Research shows that increasing spacing between births at least 2 ½ to 5 years can significantly improve health outcomes for moms and their babies.

Several studies have looked at the question and have found that increasing spacing between births helps to reduce the risk of infant mortality, low- weight births, as well as improving maternal health outcomes.

Keep your vaccines current

Women can safeguard their own health as well as the health of their babies by making sure their vaccinations are up to date.  Immunizations help prevent infectious diseases and safe lives. Your provider can tell you which vaccines are right for you before, during and after pregnancy.

To find out more about vaccinations visit the Center for Disease Control