Planning for pregnancy or considering becoming a parent? Start, if you can, by talking openly with your partner or other people you are close to.

The following questions offers some suggestions for questions you might ask yourselves when planning for pregnancy:

• Why do we want to have a baby?
• Does it feel too soon or too late?
• How do we think a baby will affect our relationship?
• Can we afford a child?
• How will we manage financially?
• How will a baby affect our jobs or career?
• When would we want to return to work?  Who will return to work? Full or part-time?
• Can we cope with extra responsibility?
• How will a baby affect our lifestyle and freedom, now and in the future?
• How do we think a baby will enrich our lives?
• Do we feel comfortable with each other’s values and attitudes to parenting?
• Are there any experiences we’ve had that may affect our parenting?

It is not unusual to be confused about the decision to have children, and it’s not uncommon for couples to find the issue difficult to resolve.

Try talking with friends who have small children. Ask them some of the questions above. Relationship counselling can also help.

Your Support Networks

Friends, family and community can be very helpful during pregnancy and in the months and years after your baby is born. When you are thinking about having a baby, think about who you have around you to help and support you when things do get difficult.

Some ways your network can support you include:

• being available for chats and talking things through
• hands-on, practical support
• giving advice from their own experience
• attending birthing classes with you
• helping with transport
• preparing the baby’s room
• adding safety fixtures to the home
• shopping
• babysitting
• house-keeping.

There are many things you need to consider before getting pregnant. Head to Preparing for Pregnancy to read more about this topic.

The Royal Women’s Hospital is Australia’s first and largest specialist public hospital dedicated exclusively to the healthcare of women and newborns. Based in Melbourne with regional hubs, it provides expert clinical care in maternity, gynaecology, oncology, and neonatal intensive care