Uncertain Contingencies: Fertility in the Context of Chronic Disease

• In Event: 30458 - Reproductive Beliefs and Fertility Intentions

Abstract

Recent demographic and sociological research has grappled with the role of uncertainty in shaping fertility patterns. This research has largely focused on how uncertain individual-level health and macroeconomic conditions are implicated in the pregnancy decision-making of reproductive-aged people. This paper extends prior work on uncertainty and fertility by asking how people living with chronic health conditions manifesting early in the life course make pregnancy decisions in the context of uncertain outcomes. I propose a concept called uncertain contingencies whereby people with the capacity to become pregnant must make decisions about pregnancy faced with a set of branching potential outcomes over which they have limited control and often limited information. These choices are further complicated by structural constraints, such as abortion restrictions and lack of supportive systems for parenting children with disabilities.

Author

• Lindsay M. Cannon, University of Wisconsin-Madison