Choosing Contraception: Should You Delay Having Babies Until After Your Bachelor’s Degree?

Reaching the milestone of your bachelor's degree is an exciting yet challenging time. Many of you are grappling with major life decisions, including whether to delay having babies until after completing your studies. While the idea of adding the responsibility of parenting to the already stressful task of completing your studies might seem daunting, it's important to consider the various factors at play.

Are You Prepared to Commit?

The decision to delay having a baby is a significant one. While completing your bachelor's degree can be demanding, the stress levels can skyrocket if you are also caring for a newborn. Piling stress on top of stress is not usually a good idea, especially when it involves major milestones in both your personal and professional lives.

Discussing Your Plans with Your Partner

One of the first steps you should take is discussing your plans with your partner. Are you prepared to commit to practicing birth control consistently? It's crucial to have an open and honest conversation about your future aspirations and any potential concerns. Is your partner supportive of your plans to complete your degree before starting a family?

Reliable Contraceptive Methods

Considering the long-term commitment and the potential health risks associated with pregnancy, it's advisable to opt for the most reliable form of contraception. When choosing a method, it's essential to consider its effectiveness, convenience, and suitability for your lifestyle.

Pill or Long-Acting Reversible Contraception?

The Pearl Index is a measure of the effectiveness of different contraceptive methods. For example, the birth control pill, if used perfectly, has a Pearl Index of 0.5 to 0.6, meaning that it would take 200 women using the pill perfectly to have one unplanned pregnancy. However, typical (often not perfect) use of the pill has a Pearl Index of 9, meaning that around 9 out of 100 women would get pregnant without having planned for it.

Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) programs, such as Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) and Contraceptive Implants, offer significantly higher reliability. These methods have a Pearl Index of 0.5 to 1, making them much more effective in preventing unplanned pregnancies. Some popular LARC methods include:

Intrauterine Device (IUD) (copper only or containing a hormone) Contraceptive Injections (such as Depot Provera) Hormonal Implants (such as Implanon)

Effectiveness of Different Methods

A comparison of the effectiveness of various birth control methods in women under 21 is shown in the following graph, based on the NEJM study Effectiveness of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception. As you can see, LARC methods, such as IUDs, injections, and implants, are 22 times more effective than pills, patches, or rings in younger women.

Conclusion

Delaying pregnancy until after completing your bachelor's degree can be a responsible choice, especially if you have not yet reached a point of readiness to become a parent. However, it's critical to have a solid plan and reliable contraception to prevent unexpected pregnancies. By discussing your plans with your partner and choosing an effective form of birth control, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your long-term goals.

Keywords: contraception, bachelor’s degree, birth control methods