Reproductive life plan

A reproductive life plan is a plan for whether, when and how to have children. It includes personal goals, and states how to achieve them. The plan is based on a person's priorities and goals with regards to life and children. The plan may take into account their resources, commitments and values. Reproductive life plan serves as a basis for action to help realize the plan. For instance: it can be helpful in selecting an appropriate birth control if one is sexually active but isn't ready to have children;^[1] or seeking Pre-conception counseling and care, to improve health of mother and child. Family planning professionals can help in formulating and implementing a reproductive life plan. Unintended pregnancies are associated with an array of negative outcomes for the mother, child and family, formulating a plan can help to make sure that pregnancies are prepared for and intended.

People often delay having children to gathering necessary resources, to gather social support, until career or other goals are met, or to improve health outcomes for mother and child.

Although many people who desire children do so through childbirth, some adopt children, become foster parents, or use other arrangements to achieve their desires (co-parenting, surrogacy).

Many people decide not to have children (childfree).

In 2006 the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a recommendation, encouraging men and women to formulate a reproductive life plan, to help them in avoiding unintended pregnancies and to improve the health of women and reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes.^[2]

See also

• Cost of raising a child
• Personal finance

References

External links

• Reproductive life plan resources US Title X, Region I
• CDC Preconception Health Resources