Pregnancy Spacing

Evidence 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC169644/ 

Professor Gordon C S Smith, Jill P Pell and Richard Dobbie 

Several studies have shown that women with a very short interval between pregnancies are at increased risk of complications such as preterm birth, neonatal death, and intrauterine growth restriction. 

Education 

The timing of your pregnancies is important. While you and your partner might have preferences about how close in age, you'd like your children to be, some research shows that how you space your pregnancies can affect mother and baby. 

What are the risks of spacing pregnancies too close together? 

Research suggests that beginning a pregnancy within six months of a live birth is associated with an increased risk of: 

• Premature birth 

• The placenta partially or completely peeling away from the inner wall of the uterus before delivery (placental abruption) 

• Low birth weight 

• Congenital disorders 

• Schizophrenia 

• Maternal anaemia 

In addition, recent research suggests that closely spaced pregnancies might be associated with an increased risk of autism in second-born children. The risk is highest for pregnancies spaced less than 12 months apart. 

Closely spaced pregnancies might not give a mother enough time to recover from pregnancy before moving on to the next. For example, pregnancy and breastfeeding can deplete your stores of nutrients, particularly folate. If you become pregnant before replacing those stores, it could affect your health or your baby's health. Inflammation of the genital tract that develops during pregnancy and doesn't completely heal before the next pregnancy could also play a role. 

Are there risks associated with spacing pregnancies too far apart? 

Some research also suggests that long intervals between pregnancies pose concerns for mothers and babies, such as an increased risk of preeclampsia in people with no history of the condition. 

It's not clear why long pregnancy intervals might cause health problems. It's possible that pregnancy improves uterine capacity to promote your baby’s growth and support, but that over time these beneficial physiological changes disappear. 

What's the best interval between pregnancies? 

To reduce the risk of pregnancy complications and other health problems, research suggests waiting 18 to 24 months but less than five years after a live birth before attempting your next pregnancy. Balancing concerns about infertility, people older than 35 might consider waiting 12 months before becoming pregnant again. 

The risks and recommendations don't apply to couples who have had a miscarriage. If you're healthy and feel ready, there's no need to wait to conceive after a miscarriage. 

Choosing when to have another baby is a personal decision. When planning your next pregnancy, you and your partner might consider various factors in addition to the health risks and benefits. Until you decide about when to have another child, use a reliable method of birth control. 

Empowerment 

There's no perfect time to have another baby. Even with careful planning, you can't always control when conception happens. However, discussing reliable birth control options until you are ready to conceive and understanding the possible risks associated with the timing of your pregnancies can help you make an informed decision about when to grow your family. 

Useful Links 

Australian Journal of General Practice published by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners 

https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2020/june/interconception-care 

Telethon Kids 

https://www.telethonkids.org.au/news--events/news-and-events-nav/2014/july/new-evidence-on-the-importance-of-birth-spacing/ 

Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond 

https://www.pregnancy.com.au/spacing-pregnancies-is-a-good-thing/ 

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