Reproductive life plans: initiating the dialogue with women.

This article examines the concept of the reproductive life plan and provides information about translating this important idea into practice. The idea of the reproductive life plan was introduced in a report from the , but has thus far received little attention in the nursing literature. Reproductive life plans are important for women and their partners during their childbearing years, for they facilitate discussion about childbearing intentions and choices. Additionally, a dialogue about reproductive life planning may help nurses open a gateway to the utilization of preconception care as an intervention to improve maternal fetal outcomes. Nurses are ideally prepared and situated to assist women and their partners in learning about and developing reproductive life plans.