Family Planning and
Pre-Conception Care
Family planning is a comprehensive approach to reproductive health that empowers individuals and couples to make informed decisions about if, when, and how to have children. It encompasses a broad spectrum of care, including the management of contraception, fertility awareness, and proactive pre-pregnancy planning.
Dr Jessica Holden provides a supportive, non-judgemental environment to discuss your reproductive goals. Whether you are seeking to prevent pregnancy, are preparing to conceive, or are considering future fertility options such as egg freezing, our team is dedicated to providing evidence-based guidance tailored to your specific life stage and medical history.
Ask your GP for a referral to Coastal Women’s Health or contact our friendly team to arrange your appointment.
Choosing the right contraceptive method is a highly personal decision that depends on your health profile, lifestyle, and future family plans. Dr Holden offers consultations to discuss the efficacy, benefits, and potential side effects of various Australian-approved methods.
Contraception and Reproductive Choice
Short-Acting and Barrier Methods
Oral Contraceptive Pills: Including the combined pill and the progestogen-only "mini-pill."
Injectable Contraception: A hormone injection given every few months.
Barrier Methods: Advice on the use of diaphragms and the importance of dual protection for STI prevention.
Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC)
LARCs are highly effective methods that do not require daily action from the user.
Intrauterine Devices (IUDs): Including both hormonal (Mirena) and non-hormonal (Copper) options. These are inserted into the uterus and can provide protection for 5 to 10 years.
Contraceptive Implants: A small rod inserted under the skin of the arm that releases progestogen.
Pre-Pregnancy Planning
(Pre-Conception Care)
What is Managed During a Pre-Conception Consultation?
Medical Review: Assessing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or epilepsy to ensure medications are safe for pregnancy.
Vaccination Status: Checking immunity to rubella and varicella (chickenpox), as these require vaccination before conception.
Nutritional Support: Advice on essential supplements, including folic acid (to prevent neural tube defects) and iodine.
Genetic Carrier Screening: Discussing options for screening for common genetic conditions such as Cystic Fibrosis, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and Fragile X syndrome.
Lifestyle Optimisation: Guidance on smoking cessation, alcohol intake, and achieving a healthy weight range to support fertility.
Understanding your "fertile window" is essential for those trying to conceive. Dr Holden provides education on tracking ovulation and identifying physiological signs of fertility.
In some circumstances, individuals may choose to explore fertility preservation. This involves the surgical retrieval and freezing of eggs (oocyte cryopreservation) or embryos. This is an increasingly common option for those who:
Are not ready to start a family but wish to preserve younger eggs for future use.
Are about to undergo medical treatments (such as chemotherapy) that may impact ovarian reserve.
Have a family history of early menopause.
Fertility Preservation
and Awareness
Contact us
Whether you’re seeking routine care, treatment for a specific concern, or fertility support, Dr Holden and her team are here to help. Appointments are available across all locations.
Referrals: We prefer referrals through HealthLink (drholden) and Medical Objects, or email to contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Planning
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A wide variety of options are available, ranging from daily oral tablets to long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) like the Mirena IUD or the contraceptive implant. The best choice depends on your medical history, whether you smoke, your age, and how soon you might want to conceive in the future.
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Ideally, you should book a pre-conception consultation 3 to 6 months before you stop using contraception. This allows enough time to check your immunity levels, start necessary supplements, and adjust any medications that might not be suitable during pregnancy.
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Fertility preservation is a process where eggs, sperm, or embryos are collected and frozen (cryopreserved) so that they can be used in the future. It "pauses" the biological clock for those cells, allowing individuals to pursue pregnancy at a later date with the fertility potential they had at the time of freezing.
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Yes. For many, the first step in family planning is regulating the menstrual cycle. Hormonal contraception can be used to manage heavy or irregular bleeding, while other fertility-focused medications can help regularise ovulation for those trying to conceive.
care on the Bass CoasT
Dr Jessica Holden provides endometriosis diagnosis and management for patients across Bass Coast and nearby areas, including Wonthaggi, Cowes, Phillip Island, Inverloch, San Remo and Cape Paterson.
If pelvic pain, painful periods, pain with sex, bowel symptoms or fertility concerns are affecting your life, ask your GP for a referral to Coastal Women’s Health for understanding and specialist care.
We welcome patients seeking routine care, second opinions or specialised gynaecology support.