Family planning

Our new analysis of Millennium Cohort Study data shows that couples who planned their pregnancies were more likely to stay together through their children’s teenage years. • Planned births were more common among new parents who were married, in their 30s, had a degree, middle or higher income, white or Indian, Christian, and either most or least happy. Among married parents, 73 per cent of births were planned compared to 47 per cent among cohabiting parents and just 16 per cent among other parents – those in less established relationships or none at all. Whereas 24 per cent of married couples who did not plan their baby’s birth had split up by the time their children were aged 14, only 18 per cent of planners had split. Among unmarried couples, 47 per cent of non-planners split compared to 38 per cent of planners. Among other parents, 76 per cent of non-planners split compared to 61 per cent of planners. Even after controlling for mother’s age, education, ethnicity, marital status and relationship happiness 9 months after their child was born, the odds of a couple splitting up before their child becomes a teenager were 28 per cent greater if they had not planned the birth.