One Simple Question That Could Change the Future of Reproductive Health Care
“Would you like to become pregnant in the next year?”
It’s a simple enough question, and most women probably know exactly how to answer it. But their doctors aren’t asking them. Typically, primary care doctors simply ask their female patients whether or not they’re currently using birth control, and that’s the beginning and end of the conversation.
Michele Stranger Hunter, the executive director of the Oregon Foundation for Reproductive Health, thinks that nuance matters. In an interview with ThinkProgress, Hunter pointed out that if a doctor simply asked their female patient what she wants for her reproductive future, that could open up a larger conversation about how to best achieve that. For instance, if she doesn’t want to become pregnant, they could discuss her range of contraceptive options and make sure she’s using the best method for her lifestyle — as well as make sure she knows how to use it effectively. If she is thinking about having a baby within the next year, they could discuss how to prepare for that and come up with a plan for her pre-natal care.
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