The Russian government is pushing for psychological counseling to cultivate 'motherly instincts' among women who choose not to bear children, as part of a broader initiative to boost its declining birth rates. According to a recent report by AFP, the Russian Health Ministry has approved guidelines that suggest doctors should recommend 'positive maternal attitude' therapy to women who do not wish to become pregnant. Additionally, women aged 18 to 49 will be encouraged to undergo annual health assessments to evaluate their reproductive capabilities. Similar recommendations have been extended to men in the same age group, though they are not required to participate in counseling.

Last year, Russia's total fertility rate dropped to a historical low of 1.4 children per woman, significantly below the replacement level of 2.1, driven largely by the demographic impacts of the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Estimates suggest that as many as 1.2 million Russian soldiers may have died or been wounded due to the war, exacerbating concerns about population decline. In response, President Vladimir Putin has called for a national effort to revive birth rates, even advocating for pregnancy to become a 'trend' during his annual press conference in December.

The Russian government has introduced various policies aimed at encouraging higher birth rates, including the regulation of abortion and the criminalization of promoting childlessness. As of this month, a new database has been established to monitor the pregnancy history and health complications of expectant mothers in an effort to improve maternal and fetal health outcomes. However, many countries refrain from implementing such population policies due to concerns over individual autonomy regarding health and reproductive rights, favoring instead approaches that improve the conditions for parenthood and provide financial support for child-rearing, as seen in South Korea and various European nations.