Family Planning
When it comes to planning your family, you have a lot of decisions to make. When do you want to have a baby? How do you want to prevent pregnancy until the time is right? We can provide the answers, support, and services you need to feel confident about your next steps.
Family planning specialties and services
We offer inclusive LGBTQ+ family planning, advanced IVF options, and personalized contraception counseling to help individuals and couples make informed reproductive choices at every stage of life, with confidence.
LGBTQ+ family planning
IVF
Fertility and reproductive medicine
Maternity care for every stage
No matter where you are in your maternity journey, you can count on BJC.
Pregnancy and prenatal
BJC HealthCare and WashU Medicine delivers expert, personalized pregnancy care—from routine to high‑risk—through compassionate providers, advanced services, and coordinated support, helping you feel informed, confident, and cared for every step of your pregnancy journey.
Labor and delivery
Our goal is to make your delivery a safe, comfortable, and personalized experience. BJC HealthCare and WashU Medicine providers—including nurses, midwives, and obstetricians—guide you at every step.
Newborn care
BJC HealthCare and WashU Medicine provide compassionate, expert care for every newborn—from healthy infants to those with complex needs—offering advanced neonatology services, screenings, and family support before and after birth.
Postpartum and recovery
BJC supports your postpartum journey with compassionate care for body and mind, offering lactation guidance, physical recovery services, and mental health support—helping you feel confident, cared for, and ready for life with your baby.
Why choose us for family planning care?
BJC HealthCare works with WashU Medicine physicians, BJC Medical Group, and providers across the region to deliver exceptional care. We have a reputation as a regional leader in women’s health and pregnancy care combined with the nationally recognized expertise of WashU Medicine physicians. That’s why so many people turn to us when it’s time to plan their families. Whether you’re ready to get pregnant now or you want a reliable way to prevent pregnancy, we’re here to help. With our providers, you can expect:
- Care for complex maternal conditions: We counsel people with health conditions that can complicate conception, pregnancy, or birth control. Our OB-GYNs, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, and other experts prioritize your health and safety above all else.
- Personalized approach: We understand that every person is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for family planning. Your care team takes the time to discuss your reproductive goals, lifestyle, medical history, and personal preferences. We’ll help connect you with services that fit your needs.
- Clinical research: We partner with WashU Medicine OB-GYNs who specialize in family planning and participate in nationally recognized clinical research.
- Continuum of care: We offer a full continuum of care for couples and individuals ready to build a family. That means you can rely on one trusted source for all your needs: preconception planning, prenatal care, labor and delivery, and newborn medicine.
- Decades of experience: WashU Medicine physicians have provided IVF care since 1983 and helped welcome Missouri’s first IVF-conceived baby.
Finding an OB-GYN
Finding the right obstetrician–gynecologist (OB-GYN) is an important step in supporting your reproductive, prenatal, and overall gynecologic health. An OB-GYN is more than a health care provider—they are a long-term partner who can guide you through routine preventive care, pregnancy, family planning, and life transitions such as menopause. Taking the time to find someone who aligns with your needs and preferences can make a meaningful difference in your care experience.
Choosing an OB-GYN is a personal decision, and this choice looks different for everyone. For those looking for an OB-GYN to support them through family planning and pregnancy, some questions that may help inform your decision include:
- What percentage of your patients deliver vaginally versus cesarean section?
- How do you feel about fetal testing to check for problems or identify genetic conditions?
- How do you feel about your patients working with midwives or doulas?
- How many times will I see you during my pregnancy?
- Who covers your practice when you are unavailable or out of town?
What is IVF?
In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is the most advanced fertility treatment available. It involves creating an embryo outside the body and placing it directly into the uterus, offering a strong chance of pregnancy for many patients.
Whether IVF is your first treatment or the next step after trying other options, our team is here to support your path to parenthood.
Understanding advanced maternal age
Many women are choosing to have children later in life. While pregnancy carries some level of risk for all mothers and babies, age can increase certain risks. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) refers to pregnancy in people over age 35 as advanced maternal age.
Although advanced maternal age is associated with some unique considerations, personalized care, thoughtful planning, and strong support from your care team can help lead to a safe, healthy pregnancy. Research also shows that while certain risks during pregnancy may be higher, babies born to older mothers do not necessarily experience more health problems than those born to younger mothers.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average age of first-time mothers is rising, making pregnancy at age 35 and older increasingly common. Combined with advances in prenatal care, this shift means providers are well equipped to support patients of advanced maternal age—identifying potential concerns earlier and tailoring care to each person’s individual risk factors, medical history, and lifestyle.
Depending on your personal health history, your provider may refer you to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist. This specialist works alongside your OB-GYN and the rest of your care team to ensure you receive comprehensive, high-quality care at every stage of your pregnancy journey.