After Giving Birth When Can You Get Pregnant Again
- How long you should wait between pregnancies mostly depends on how you delivered the previous baby.
- If a baby is delivered naturally, through the vagina, at 39 weeks, or full-term, then you should wait 18 months before the start of your next pregnancy.
- If you delivered the baby via C-section, the ACOG recommends waiting 24 months before conceiving again.
- If you don't give your body enough time to recover before getting pregnant again, it increases your risk for all types of complications during your next pregnancy.
- Don't assume that just because you're breastfeeding that you can't get pregnant.
- This article was reviewed by Jamie Lipeles, DO, OB-GYN and founder of Marina OB-GYN in Marina Del Rey, CA.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories .
If you want more than one kid, it may seem convenient to have them back to back. However, improper "pregnancy spacing"— or the amount of time between pregnancies — can affect the health of both the mother and the fetus. Here's what you need to know about how soon after giving birth you can get pregnant.
You should wait at least 18 months
How long you should wait between pregnancies mostly depends on how you delivered the previous baby.
If a baby is delivered naturally, through the vagina, at 39 weeks, or full-term, then the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends you should wait 18 months before the start of your next pregnancy.
If you delivered the baby via C-section, the ACOG recommends waiting 24 months before conceiving again. Especially if you want to try a natural birth for your next pregnancy. Giving birth before 24 months increases your risk of uterine rupture — a rare situation where the uterus tears and could threaten the life of the mother and the fetus if medical aid isn't given immediately.
What can happen if you don't wait to get pregnant again
If you don't give your body enough time to recover before getting pregnant again, it increases your risk for all types of complications during your next pregnancy including:
- Preterm birth: If you give birth before 37 weeks, your baby is at a higher risk of being underweight and they may need to remain at the hospital for longer than usual.
- Low birth-weight: If your baby is born under 5 pounds 8 ounces, they may have a harder time breathing, eating, and fending off infections.
- Premature membrane rupture: Where your water breaks too early, which can raise your risk of uterine infection and lead to premature birth.
- Placenta previa: Where the placenta covers your cervix and can potentially prevent your baby from reaching the birth canal during labor. In this case, doctors will deliver the baby via C-section.
- Placental abruption: When the placenta separates from the uterus prematurely, which can be life-threatening for both you and the fetus.
"Your body just isn't ready, if you get pregnant too soon after delivery," says Hector Chapa, MD, an OB-GYN and clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Medicine. Adding that oddly enough, waiting too long to get pregnant again may pose a risk. Waiting to give birth again for more than 5 years can also come with pregnancy complications such as high blood pressure.
Therefore, the ideal spacing between pregnancies is the sweet spot between 18 months to 5 years for the best pregnancy outcomes, Chapa says.
If you had a complicated pregnancy you'll need to wait longer
Chapa points out that pregnancy spacing is entirely different for women with chronic medical conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes , which can develop after pregnancy.
"If you're not under good medical control, that is going to affect your medical clearance of when you can get pregnant again," Chapa says. The timeline for these conditions varies for every woman and strongly depends on the medical condition and age of the mother.
Postpartum preeclampsia, for example, can present within one to six weeks after giving birth where the mother's blood pressure should be closely monitored. If the condition resolves quickly, she may still be safe to get pregnant in 18 to 24 months. But it's different for each woman and they should consult a doctor about the safest pregnancy spacing.
For gestational diabetes, women should get tested six to twelve weeks after giving birth and then every one to three years — especially because having gestational diabetes increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes . Once these conditions resolve, however, Chapa says it is safe to get pregnant.
Just because you can get pregnant doesn't mean you should
There's a myth that once you start ovulating, it's a sign that your body is ready to carry another fetus. Women can start ovulating within a few months after giving birth.
But Chapa says this doesn't mean the body is recovered from the first pregnancy. Moreover, don't assume that just because you're breastfeeding that you can't get pregnant.
Yes, breastfeeding does delay ovulation and, consequently, your ability to get pregnant. But ovulation is still possible within months of giving birth — especially if the baby is not solely breastfed at least every four to six hours.
"It is less probable to ovulate during exclusive breastfeeding, but it is not impossible," Chapa says. "Your chance to ovulate increases as breastfeeding decreases and the months go by after birth."
And as for having sex after giving birth, medical experts recommend you wait four to six weeks after delivery, or — if your vaginal area has stitches — wait for that area to heal first.
Of course, once sexual activity resumes it is important to consider a form of birth control to properly space pregnancies.
Related stories about pregnancy:
- How to choose a pregnancy test at the store and why digital tests aren't necessarily better
- Home pregnancy tests are very accurate if you use them correctly
- When to take a pregnancy test for the most accurate result
- How much weight you should gain during pregnancy, according to doctors
- Foods to avoid during pregnancy and how to still stay healthy
- How long it takes to recover from a C-section before you can drive a car, take a bath, and have sex
- Yes, Tylenol is safe for pregnancy. Here's the right dosage
Sarah Allen is a freelance writer for Insider.
After Giving Birth When Can You Get Pregnant Again
Source: https://www.insider.com/how-soon-after-giving-birth-can-you-get-pregnant