Dr. Fangqi Wen, Department of Sociology

Dr. Bethany Everett, Department of Sociology

SUMMARY

As fertility rates decline, scholars and policymakers have become increasingly interested in the determinants of reproductive attitudes and behaviors. This project addresses a critical gap in fertility research by advancing a novel framework that centers the often-overlooked health consequences of reproduction. Specifically, we examine the physical and mental health sequelae of pregnancy and childbirth and their effects on subsequent fertility intentions and behaviors. Using nationally representative longitudinal data, we will (1) document the

prevalence and severity of childbirth-related health outcomes; (2) identify racial and socioeconomic disparities in these outcomes; and (3) assess how these health costs shape subsequent fertility intentions and behaviors. This project is innovative in linking maternal health trajectories to fertility decision-making, an underexplored connection in population research. The findings will generate new evidence on the health determinants of fertility-related attitudes and behaviors, inform policies aimed at improving maternal well-being and reducing disparities, and lay the groundwork for future research on how health risks, both experienced and perceived, influence fertility decisions.