Why Should I Wait More Than A Year After Giving Birth To Get Pregnant Again?

Do you know that your body needs time to fully recover after pregnancy?

Do you know that closely spaced pregnancies increase your risk of premature birth?

Do you know that premature babies are more likely to have health problems than babies born on time?

Do you know that premature babies may need to stay in the hospital longer than babies born on time?

Do you know that getting pregnant again too soon increases your next baby’s chances of being born with low birth weight?

Do you know that closely spaced pregnancies increase the chances of your next baby being small for its gestational age (the baby is smaller than normal based on the number of weeks it spent in the womb)?

Do you know that closely spaced pregnancies carry serious risks for both you and your baby, including congenital disorders, schizophrenia and maternal anemia?

Do you know that closely spaced pregnancies may be associated with an increased risk of autism in second-born children?

Based on your answers, here are a few more facts about why you should wait a while with your next pregnancy. Various studies have shown that closely spaced pregnancies are associated with a high risk of premature birth, low birth weight, and congenital disorders. This is especially true for pregnancies spaced less than 12 months apart. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, your body uses up supplies of nutrients, especially folic acid, so it will take some time until those supplies are replenished, and your body is ready for the next pregnancy. For that reason it is best to wait between 18 and 24 months to get pregnant again.

Based on your answers, you know a lot about why you should wait a while with your next pregnancy. Several hormonal changes during pregnancy can increasingly predispose to infections and inflammation of your genital tract. It is not uncommon for women to have endometriosis (inflammation of the lining of the uterus) or bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy. Your body needs time to recover, because otherwise you can have these conditions again in the next pregnancy. Research shows that inflammation can play a role in premature rupture of the amniotic sac (a sac filled with water that surrounds your baby in the womb during pregnancy) that leads to premature birth.