Deleterious BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene alterations significantly elevate a woman’s risk of developing hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. A simple blood test can identify the presence of a BRCA gene alteration in a patient’s DNA. Increasingly, individuals pursuing genetic testing to identify these alterations are also involved in family planning and parenting young children. However, the challenges unique to BRCA gene alteration carriers of reproductive age are just beginning to be studied. This investigation identifies the influences of family medical histories and genetic testing on reproductive choices and examines the meanings of family planning and parenting in the context of genetic medicine.