Couples emphasizing family planning

The economy is forcing families to take a hard look at their finances and that means making tough choices. For some, the downturn has meant postponing plans to have kids. In general, it’s meant an overall boom in contraceptive sales.

Stay-at-home dad and part-time web editor Josh Wikel and his wife have two little ones: four-year-old Noah and two-year-old Jackson. The Wikels would love a third child but since the economy went south, there's been a change of plans.

"We just decided it would be best to see how things are at the end of the year and where we stand," said Wikel.

The family hasn't suffered in the financial slump, but they're worried about the economic climate and are postponing expanding the family until after the economy improves.

The folks at Planned Parenthood say the sentiment is echoed again and again among the clients they serve.

"They know that it is an expensive proposition and one that should be taken very seriously. So we're seeing an increase in the traffic for family planning services," said Betty Cockrum of Planned Parenthood.

According to the data tracking firm Nielson Company, consumers are spending more money on contraceptives to prevent big bucks on child expenses. The firm said sales of over-the-counter contraceptives went up 10.2 percent in the first two months of the year.

Might an economic recovery bring a baby boom? It could for the Wikels. They're just waiting for the economy to get moving.