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Call the OWH HELPLINE: 1-800-994-9662
9 a.m. — 6 p.m. ET, Monday — Friday
OWH and the OWH helpline do not see patients and are unable to: diagnose your medical condition; provide treatment; prescribe medication; or refer you to specialists. The OWH helpline is a resource line. The OWH helpline does not provide medical advice.
Please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you are experiencing a medical emergency.If you are sexually active
Becoming a mother might be the last thing on your mind right now. But you should set some goals about having (or not having) children — especially if you are sexually active. This is called a reproductive life plan, and it also involves knowing what actions you will take to support your goals. Your personal values and beliefs will help you make your plan. See some examples below.
"I'm not ready to have children now. I will make sure I don't get pregnant by not having sex or using birth control correctly every time I have sex."
"I will wait to start having sex until after I'm married. I won't get pregnant until that time. Once I'm married, my husband and I will decide together when it's the right time for us to start a family."
"I would like to have two children, at least two years apart in age. I also have diabetes. I will meet with my doctor now to discuss my preconception health. I will start trying to get pregnant as soon as I'm healthy. I will use birth control after my first baby to make sure I don't get pregnant again before I am ready."
"I want to finish school and be financially secure before starting a family. My husband and I will use an effective birth control all the time until we have met our goals and are ready to start a family."
"I will let pregnancy happen whenever it happens. Because I don't know when that time will be, I'll make sure that my body is healthy and ready for pregnancy at all times."
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All material contained on these pages are free of copyright restrictions and may be copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the Office on Women’s Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Citation of the source is appreciated.
Page last updated: March 02, 2018.
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A federal government website managed by the Office on Women's Health in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20201
1-800-994-9662 • Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET (closed on federal holidays).
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