Are You and Your Partner Ready?

Along with the fulfillment that a baby brings, come stress and change. You and your partner will want to discuss the effect pregnancy and a baby will have on your lives:

Are you ready to lose some of your freedom? Those times you spontaneously take off for the weekend or meet a friend after work may have to be planned in advance once you have a third person to consider.

Are you financially prepared? You might assess whether you have enough money to cover the medical cost of pregnancy as well as any unpaid time you take off from work.

Are you at the right point in your careers? While there is rarely a perfect time to have a baby, you might consider delaying pregnancy if, for example, you just changed jobs or were recently promoted.

Is your marriage on solid footing? A troubled marriage can be especially vulnerable to the stress of pregnancy. You and you partner might first settle your differences or consider counseling.

When to have a baby is a personal decision. Many women today are deciding to delay pregnancy till their 30s. Generally, babies born to 30-34 year olds are as healthy as those born to women in their 20s. The risk of birth defects increases slightly each year over 35, and it gradually becomes more difficult to get pregnant.