I am totally on board with a key quote from an op-ed in seattlepi.com:

"It's odd that we live in a culture that values planning in everything from education to retirement to weddings, yet we're expected to believe that starting a family is something that's supposed to happen, without preparation or choice." 

We have been saying this for years at the Campaign.  Our list of what one is to plan is even longer--meals, vacations, retirement, living wills, outfits, college savings and more. But somehow it is not in fashion to even talk about the value of planning carefully and deliberately--both partners, too--for child-bearing  

And if we expand the concept just a bit to include what we are supposed to not only plan but also worry about, the inattention to getting pregnant and starting families is even more striking.  I recall years ago getting a pamphlet about how I should worry--REALLY worry--about radon in my basement.  When will I get a pamphlet about how planning pregnancy (for those who want children) is worthy of a great deal of thought and consideration and commitment?   We worry about nutrition, recycling, bicycle helmets, what to put on the surfaces of playgrounds, and lord knows what else....How about worrying that half of all pregnancies are unplanned?  HALF? 

When will this nation get serious about getting pregnant?