A reproductive life plan is a set of personal goals about having or not having children. It also states how to achieve those goals. Everyone needs to make a reproductive life plan based on their own values, goals, and resources.
A reproductive life plan is important for your personal well-being, whether or not you plan to have children. Planning if and when to have children helps you think about how you want to live your life and achieve your goals. Almost half of pregnancies in California are unplanned and could happen at a time when a woman’s health or social situation is not ideal. Making a reproductive life plan can help ensure that you are healthy and ready if you choose to get pregnant.
There are many kinds of reproductive life plans. First, it is important to think about if you want to have children. If you do, think about when and under what conditions you want to become pregnant. If you do not plan to have children, think about how you will prevent pregnancy. Then take actions to help you achieve these goals, such as using effective birth control to prevent pregnancy before you want to become pregnant. Doctors and counselors can help you understand the options that are best for you. If you have had complications with a previous pregnancy, talk to your doctor about how to improve the health of your next pregnancy if you choose to have another child.
Your plan will depend on your personal goals and dreams. Think about your goals for school, for your job or career, and for other important things in your life. Then think about how a family fits in with your plans. Here are some examples of types of reproductive life plans:
To learn about how to make your own plan and see sample reproductive life planning tools, visit the websites below.
An important part of making a reproductive life plan is thinking about how to get and stay healthy. Browse this website to learn more about how to achieve a healthy mind, healthy body and healthy environment.