Hold My Vodka

Russian women who say they don’t want children may be referred to a psychologist under the country’s Health Ministry guidelines.

Apparently, in Russia, deciding not to have kids is now something your doctor might want you to talk through with a professional.

The recommendations, approved in February 2026, apply to women aged 18 to 49 undergoing routine reproductive health screenings.

Patients complete a questionnaire covering their health, medical history and plans for having children. Question 61 asks how many children they would like to have, including any they already have.

And there’s one answer that gets special attention: zero.

According to the ministry’s guidelines, women who answer “0” should be offered a consultation with a medical psychologist to help develop what the document calls “positive attitudes toward childbirth.”

Interestingly, men are asked a similar question about how many children they want. But if a man writes “0,” the guidelines contain no equivalent recommendation to send him to a psychologist.

Russia’s Health Ministry later clarified that the counseling is strictly voluntary and requires the woman’s consent. Nobody is legally required to attend therapy simply for not wanting children.

Still, it’s an unusual addition to a routine medical checkup. You go in to check your reproductive health, and suddenly someone wants to discuss why you’re not planning to reproduce.

The guidelines are part of Russia’s broader efforts to encourage childbirth and address the country’s demographic challenges.

And while the consultation is optional, the message in the questionnaire is difficult to miss.

Apparently, in Russia, zero is the wrong answer.

Original sources: Russian Health Ministry guidelines | RBC | Interfax clarification