The chapter opens by normalizing last‑minute panic even after thorough reflection and conversation. It recommends revisiting earlier exercises (Chair Dialogue, Rocking Chair, Diary) to surface unfinished business, and suggests a two‑week experiment “trying on” either childfree life or parenthood to gauge fit. If conviction holds after reviewing guidelines, proceed; if doubts intensify, slow down or seek help.

Readers are urged to decide one baby at a time. For couples certain they want a child but frozen by fear, the author proposes role‑playing fears (including swapping roles) to build empathy and strategies. She notes some fears can only be managed after the transition, warns that prolonged waiting can worsen paralysis, and suggests easing off to riskier or occasional contraception to test readiness. She cautions that conception may not be immediate, to prevent needless panic.

If doubts feel stronger than normal jitters, the chapter advises reconsidering remaining childfree because options are asymmetrical: childfree people can later pursue pregnancy, adoption, or meaningful child‑related roles, whereas parenting is not reversible. Seeking help is appropriate if pain becomes intolerable or specific red flags appear.

Reasons to seek counseling include six months of stalled progress, stark partner disagreement after attempting Chapter 6 methods, being too stuck to do exercises, disturbing self‑discoveries, an inability to converse constructively, or a history of abuse that raises concerns about parenting safely. The goal is clarity and safety, not pathologizing.

The chapter describes baby‑decision workshops: their purposes (overview, tools, peer input), inclusive formats, ideal group size, and the necessity of leader neutrality. It advises interviewing leaders, confirming openness to both outcomes, and requesting outlines or evaluations.

It differentiates individual therapy (deeper, personalized, short‑term or open‑ended) and couples counseling (joint exploration or conflict resolution), with tips on preparation, setting short‑term goals, interviewing therapists, and payment options. It emphasizes choosing someone you feel comfortable with, licensed and even‑handed, and notes that workshops go wider while therapy goes deeper. It closes with ways to find help (organizations, directories, universities, word‑of‑mouth) and affirms that seeking help reflects thorough decision‑making, not weakness.