Table 4 Factors influencing couples’ childbearing preferences

Personal and Family Context

Demographic Factors

Age of Spouses [4, 7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 28, 37,38,39, 41,42,43,44,45, 50, 52]

Age of Spouses at the Time of Marriage [7, 11, 12, 23, 29, 30, 37, 42, 43, 49, 50, 52]

Educational Level of Spouses [4, 8, 12, 14, 16, 23, 37, 38, 40, 42, 43, 50, 52]

Duration of Married Life [30, 50]

Gender Preference [1, 37, 38, 41]

Number of current children [6, 10,11,12, 15, 23, 28, 37,38,39,40, 42,43,44,45, 47, 49]

Family Dynamics and Relationships

The desire to have a large family [37, 39, 43,44,45] and Possibility of generational continuity [35]

Polygamy [49]

Intervals Between Births [11, 41]

Challenges of Child Rearing [46]

Spouse’s opinions and expectations Regarding Parenthood [6, 38, 41, 44, 47, 49,50,51]

Motivation and Hope for Life and the Future [4, 29, 38, 42]

Satisfaction with Married Life [4, 8, 24, 25, 29, 31, 38, 42, 43, 46, 47] and Good Spousal Communication [9, 24, 35, 38]

Commitment to Life and Family [42] and Strengthening family relationships [35, 39, 45, 49]

Spousal Attitudes Towards Fertility and their Inherent Interest in Children and Attaining a Parental Role [4, 9, 35, 37,38,39, 42, 44, 45]

Lack of Adequate Time [35, 37, 50]

Experiencing Non-Spousal Marriage [40]

Previous Experiences of Childbearing/Birth or Child Mortality [9, 11, 41, 49]

Fear of Childbirth/Miscarriage and Stillbirth [50]

Parental support in childcare [8, 13, 26, 27, 31, 35]

Conflict of Child Rearing with Individual’s Interests, Leisure Activities, Work, and Educational Programs [38, 42, 44, 45, 47, 50]

Concerns About the Future of Children [35, 38, 39, 42, 44, 45, 47]

Supporting children in their elderly years [35, 37, 45]

Health and Well-being

Perceived Ability to be Parent and Care for a Child [9, 35, 37, 38, 42, 44, 45, 50]

Using contraceptives or pregnancy prevention methods [6, 11, 14]

Number of fertilizations and unintended pregnancies [11]

Psychological/psychiatric conditions [8, 25, 32, 44, 45]

Physical health status of the couples [8, 31, 32, 35, 38, 44, 45]

Availability of health promotion programs [12]

Societal and Cultural Context

Socio-Cultural Factors

Impact of Social Networks, Virtual Space, and Mass Media [23, 33, 38, 41, 43, 51]

Cultural/Religious Values and Beliefs [8, 26, 37, 38, 42,43,44,45,46, 49, 50, 52]

Elevating the Quality of Social and Cultural Relations [12]

Implementation of Educational Programs on Marital Life Skills for Youth and Enhancement of their Perspective Towards Parenthood [42]

Social Imitation/Social Learning [4, 33, 37, 38, 41, 46, 49, 51]

Addiction and Criminality Among Women [49]

Housing Situation (Owned or Rented) [8, 12, 44, 45, 49, 51]

Residence Location (Urban or Rural) [8, 10, 15, 17, 40, 42, 43, 52]

Social and Institutional Support

Parent’s Employment/Unemployment and Job Security [2, 4, 5, 40, 42]

Concerns about Children's Job Security [42, 45]

Spouses’ Occupation type [12, 14, 17, 30, 42] and Their Job Conditions [4, 8, 35, 36, 38]

Availability of Child Care (Kindergarten) [5, 35]

Social Support [4, 12, 26, 42, 43, 46] and Social Security [49]

Non-reduction of wages during maternity leave [36]

Receiving pregnancy, breastfeeding, and childcare assistance related expenses from the workplace [36]

Availability of facilities suitable for pregnancy and breastfeeding in the workplace [36]

Presence of schools and daycare centers near the workplace [36]

Presence of family counselors, parenting classes, and medical counselors and assistants during pregnancy at the workplace [36]

Availability of transportation services during pregnancy and breastfeeding at the workplace [36]

Availability of rest areas during pregnancy and breastfeeding at the workplace [36]

Alignment and adjustment of daycare center hours with regular working hours [36]

Reduction of working hours for pregnant mothers [36]

Preservation of job position after maternity leave [36]

Performing specific tasks during pregnancy and breastfeeding remotely and through telecommuting [36]

Creating favorable working conditions during and after pregnancy [42]

Creating conditions for maternal role compatibility with women's education after marriage [42]

Economic Landscape

Economic and Financial Factors

Financial Concerns [6, 37]

Household Economic Status or Income Level [1, 5, 7, 8, 10, 13, 15, 23,24,25, 29, 31, 34,35,36, 42,43,44,45,46,47, 49,50,51,52]

Infertility Treatment Expenses [42]

Childbirth Expenses [1, 32, 37,38,39, 42, 44, 45, 50, 51] and Healthcare and Medical Costs [7, 16]

Insurance Policies/Health Insurance [12]

Government and Policy Interventions

Limitations on providing family planning services at health centers [49]

Improving working conditions for women [42] and Legal support for employed women [36, 42]

Exceptional Insurance Support for Infertile Couples [42]

Free Maternal and Child Insurance Coverage [42]

Retirement Insurance for Stay-at-Home Women [10]

Social Support for Women's Childbearing through the Insurance System [42]

Government support in obligating employers to adhere to laws benefiting pregnant and mother women in the workplace [3, 36, 51]

Providing cash subsidies [42, 45]

Housing allocation [3, 42]

Providing interest-free loans and housing assistance [42]

Providing gold coins [42]

Monthly free check-ups and free food baskets for pregnant mothers [10, 42]

Tax discounts based on the number of family children [42]

Increasing work experience for employed mothers per child [42]

Extending the legal age for education and obtaining housing deposit loans from universities [42]

Increasing maternity leave for employed or studying mothers [36, 42, 45, 49, 52]

Granting paternity leave after childbirth [42, 49, 52]