When to add another member to the family is one of the most personal decisions a person can make. However, there are a few general medical guidelines that can be helpful to keep in mind. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) strongly recommends not starting a new pregnancy less than 6 months after giving birth. For the best health outcomes for mom and baby, ACOG recommends waiting at least 18 months.
Evidence shows that pregnancies that begin less than 18 months after previous pregnancies are at a higher risk for different complications. This is especially true for those that happen less than 6 months after birth. Research suggests that most pregnancies that begin within 6 or even 18 months after a previous birth are unintentional, which is why it’s recommended that moms who have recently given birth set up a birth control method which works well for them.
How can birth spacing impact health?
Pregnancies that begin soon after previous pregnancies face higher risks of preterm birth. Some possible complications of preterm birth include:
- Breathing problems
- Infections
- Feeding issues
- Developmental delays
Too-close pregnancies also carry the potential for health risks for the mother. Pregnancies spaced less than 18 months apart are linked to a number of health complications.
These include:
- Anemia during pregnancy
- Preterm rupture of membranes (water breaking early), which often causes preterm birth but can also lead to infections
- Placental abruption (for spacing less than 6 months apart)
- Higher risk for maternal death (for spacing less than 6 months apart)
Healthy birth spacing techniques
The best way to guard against the effects of a short period of time between pregnancies is to make sure new parents are using effective birth control methods before they begin to have intercourse again. Even new moms who haven’t had a period yet might be able to become pregnant.
Birth control methods like IUDs, implants, and “the pill,” are all considered safe and effective birth control methods, and are covered by Health Net.
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Sources
- ACOG Committee Opinion. “Optimizing postpartum care.” ACOG. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, May 2018. Web. https://www.acog.org/Clinical-Guidance-and-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Obstetric-Practice/Optimizing-Postpartum-Care?IsMobileSet=false.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. “Placental abruption.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, 12 January 2018. Web. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/placental-abruption/symptoms-causes/syc-20376458.
- Bat Zion Shachar, Deirdre J Lyell. “Interpregnancy interval and obstetrical complications.” UpToDate. Wolters Kluwer, 13 March 2019. Web. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/interpregnancy-interval-and-obstetrical-complications.
- Obstetric Care Consensus. “Interpregnancy care.” ACOG. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 20 December 2018. https://www.acog.org/Clinical-Guidance-and-Publications/Obstetric-Care-Consensus-Series/Interpregnancy-Care.
- “Birth spacing and birth outcomes.” March of Dimes. March of Dimes, November 2015. Web. https://www.marchofdimes.org/MOD-Birth-Spacing-Factsheet-November-2015.pdf.
- “Premature babies.” March of Dimes. March of Dimes. Web. https://www.marchofdimes.org/complications/premature-babies.aspx.
