When a couple plans to enlarge the family again after the first baby, the second, the third (or more), one of the issues that arise when making plans is the time the brothers will take between them.
There are those who prefer to have children as often as possible because they believe that it is better for them to share the first years of life, while on the other hand there are those who wish to give full attention to the elderly for a few years before seeking a pregnancy again. There are also those who do not plan so much and trust destiny. Whatever the case, if you've ever wondered how long to wait between pregnancies keep reading.
What WHO recommends
The general recommendation according to the WHO (World Health Organization) for the intergenic interval (time between pregnancies) is at least two years, whether the delivery was vaginal or cesarean.
He considers that it is the necessary time that must elapse before the mother's body is prepared to conceive a baby again.
In Babies and more, we talked with six mothers who had children more than ten years apartHowever, it is a recommendation that it makes for developing countries where food and health care conditions are very precarious. In developed countries, where women eat a balanced diet and are healthy, the time could be less.
Between 18 and 59 months
According to a meta-analysis on intergenic interval and perinatal complications, the optimal time is not less than 18 months (year and a half) or more than 59 months (almost 5 years) .
Conceiving a child sooner or later is significantly associated with an increase in complications, both for the mother and the fetus, such as premature birth or the baby being born underweight.
By every month less than 18 months between pregnancies, the risk of premature births increases by 1.9%. For each month greater than 59 months between pregnancies, the chances of premature birth increase by 0.6%.
For periods greater than five yearsIn addition to the difficulties to re-enter the rhythm of motherhood, to the risks of prematurity and low weight, there is an increased risk of high blood pressure in pregnancy.
If you have had a previous C-section, the recommendation is to wait at least two years or 18 months, since if the interval is smaller the risk of uterine rupture during labor of the next pregnancy is doubled.
In Babies and more The five most common fears in the second pregnancy (and what you can do to neutralize them)Less than six months, greater risk
In an interval between pregnancies too short, less than six monthsTo the aforementioned complications, there is an increased risk of maternal anemia, premature rupture of membranes and bleeding in the second half of pregnancy.
Many women believe that during the period of breastfeeding they cannot get pregnant, but this is not so. While the sucking baby inhibits ovulation, that's why an amenorrhea occurs (absence of a period), but it is not an infallible method of contraception. Can fail.
It is known by the name of MELA, Lactation and Amenorrhea Method and has an effectiveness of 98%. But in order for it to comply with that efficacy, certain conditions have to be met: that the baby be fed exclusively with breast milk and on demand during the first six months, without breaks longer than six hours, both day and night.
The time you will devote to the first child
In addition to all these recommendations as to what is most convenient from the gynecological point of view, each couple should assess the time they want to devote to each child before seeking a new pregnancy.
Breastfeeding is not an impediment to getting pregnant again, if that worries you. It is perfectly compatible during pregnancy and even after multiple breastfeeding.
And for you, What is the ideal time to wait between pregnancies?
Photos | Pixabay and tanya_little on Flickr CC On Babies and more | When you doubt whether or not you have a second child
