Delaying Pregnancy during a Public Health Crisis — Examining Public Health Recommendations for Covid-19 and Beyond

This perspective article explores the ethical and public health considerations surrounding recommendations to delay pregnancy during public health emergencies, focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing parallels with past crises like the HIV epidemic, H1N1 influenza, and Zika virus outbreaks, the authors analyze the implications of advising pregnancy avoidance. They outline criteria for justifying such recommendations, including well-understood risks, high severity, lack of mitigation options, contraceptive accessibility, and effective education. The article argues that COVID-19 does not meet these criteria, emphasizing the importance of reproductive autonomy, nondiscriminatory policies, and individualized counseling over blanket public health directives.

This perspective article explores the ethical and public health considerations surrounding recommendations to delay pregnancy during public health emergencies, focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing parallels with past crises like the HIV epidemic, H1N1 influenza, and Zika virus outbreaks, the authors analyze the implications of advising pregnancy avoidance. They outline criteria for justifying such recommendations, including well-understood risks, high severity, lack of mitigation options, contraceptive accessibility, and effective education. The article argues that COVID-19 does not meet these criteria, emphasizing the importance of reproductive autonomy, nondiscriminatory policies, and individualized counseling over blanket public health directives.