Fertility Decisions and Doubts: A Study Among Employed Iranian Women

Hajieh- Bibi Razeghi- Nasrabad, Faculty of Social Science, University of Tehran
Abbas Askari-Nodoushan, University of Yazd, Iran

Recent unofficial reports have highlighted the prevalence of abortion in Iran, though often using unreliable statistics. The lack of precise data has limited research on abortion and unplanned pregnancies. This study investigates employed women’s decisions regarding pregnancy continuation or termination, based on data from a questionnaire conducted with 392 married women at the Social Security Organization. Findings reveal that 15% of the women reported little or no happiness with their last pregnancy, and 33% described it as unplanned (12% unwanted, 21% mistimed). Regarding future pregnancies, 60% of the respondents indicated they would not welcome the news, with 48% feeling very unhappy and 11% somewhat unhappy. While 63% said they would continue their pregnancy, 19% stated they would terminate it, and 16.8% were unsure. The study found that age, number of live births, and desired number of children significantly influenced the decision to continue or terminate a pregnancy. Women over 40, those with two or more children, those preferring only one child or fewer, and women with male children were more likely to choose not to continue a pregnancy or express uncertainty about it. The study underscores the complexity of pregnancy-related decisions among employed women in Iran.

Keywords: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Population Policies, Family Planning and Contraception, Fertility

See extended abstract.