They had all filled out forms and provided blood and urine samples for the medical screenings required for marriage. All that was left was to sit through this hourlong class on family planning.

"Our aim is to help you know how to avoid an unwanted child," said a government-trained midwife, a middle-aged woman with a swirl of dark hair spilling from her head scarf.

She launched into a no-nonsense PowerPoint presentation on male and female anatomy, menstrual cycles, fertility and birth control.

"The trend among 'modern Iranians,' " she reminded the class, "is to have one child, two at most."