Family Planning: 5 Key Factors to Consider Before Making the Big Decision

• Age and Physical Health: Women's fertility is best between 20-30; egg quality and quantity decrease after 35. Men's sperm quality also changes with age, making a pre-conception checkup advisable around 30.
• Emotional Readiness: Assess if you and your partner are mentally prepared for the significant life changes a baby brings, including sleepless nights and increased focus on the child.
• Financial Stability: Evaluate the costs of raising a child, including childbirth, vaccinations, education, and potential career breaks, ensuring you have savings for their future.
• Career and Support System: Consider maternity policies, and whether you have a reliable support system (parents, in-laws) or a plan for shared responsibilities in a nuclear family.
• Maturity in Relationships: Ensure a strong understanding and ability to resolve conflicts with your partner, as a baby can intensify existing relationship stresses.

Why It Matters: The 'perfect time' for family planning is when you are physically, mentally, and financially prepared.