Contraceptive Counselling
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Contraceptive counseling
Contraceptive counseling helps improve the quality of life by preventing unwanted pregnancies. Through the counseling process, a nurse can identify different relational tasks and communication aspects that help them meet the client’s needs. Different approaches are adopted in contraceptive counseling, including using a shared decision-making process and adopting a close and trusting approach to the process (Akintomide et al., 2018). Also, there is the provision of counseling on side effects and the adoption of strategies that enhance contraceptive continuation. One of my clinical encounters with contraceptive counseling was a 21-year-old woman considering the insertion of a copper T IUD. At 21 years of age, the patient was sexually active and wanted a contraceptive solution that did not involve constant hospital visits or forgetfulness. This post discusses how I approached the situation and discussed it.
Copper IUD is very useful and does not interfere with sexual intercourse or involve regular medical checkups (Foran et al., 2018). The use of this contraception could last upto years once it’s inserted. Given that the use of the copper IUD results in irregular bleeding, lighter or shorter periods, and at times premenstrual syndrome, I was keen to let the patient know. For counseling, I adopted the shared decision-making process. The method helped us identify her suitable method and preference, facilitated the decision-making process, and assessed the risks that come with the method (Sober et al., 2017). To build a rapport with the patient, I first had to personalize the counselling and identify significant patient-centered goals. I also had to take her medical history and check on any contraindications to the contraceptive adoption.
References
Akintomide, H., Rank, K. M., Brima, N., McGregor, F., & Stephenson, J. (2018). Counselling to include tailored use of combined oral contraception in clinical practice: an evaluation. BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health, 44(1), 37-42.
Foran, T., Butcher, B. E., Kovacs, G., Bateson, D., & O’Connor, V. (2018). Safety of insertion of the copper IUD and LNG-IUS in nulliparous women: a systematic review. The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care, 23(5), 379-386.
Sober, S., Shea, J. A., Shaber, A. G., Whittaker, P. G., & Schreiber, C. A. (2017). Postpartum adolescents’ contraceptive counseling preferences. The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care, 22(2), 83-87.