Family planning: obtain the facts about the space for pregnancy

The amount of time between pregnancies can have health effects. As your next pregnancy plans, learn about the impact that pregnancy time can have.

By Mayic staff clinic

Thinking about having another child? The amount of time between pregnancies, called pregnancy spacing, is a key part of family planning. And can affect more than close to age children. You can have an effect on your health and your baby’s health. This is what you need to know.

Why is family planning important?

Knowing when you do or don’t want to have another child can help you prepare for what is ahead. You may want to start preparing for another pregnancy. Or if you do not want to get pregnant, it is important to choose appropriate contraceptives for your situation.

If you decide to try to get pregnant, understand the difference that time makes. Research shows that the amount of time between pregnancies can affect the health of pregnant people and their babies.

What are the risks of spaceing pregnancies together?

A pregnancy that begins within six months after living birth has a higher risk of some health problems. But it is not clear from the investigation if the space for pregnancy is the cause of these concerns. They include:

  • A baby was born before the 37th week of pregnancy, also called premature birth.
  • Low birth weight for the baby.
  • A baby was born with a health concern. These health concerns are called congenital disorders. Or sometimes they can be called birth defects.

For pregnant people, a pregnancy that begins within six months after living birth increases the risk of anemia. In anemia, there are not enough healthy red blood cells or blood hemoglobin to transport oxygen to body tissues.

Very spaced pregnancies cannot give the body enough time to recover after pregnancy. For example, pregnancy and breastfeeding can reduce the body’s nutrient warehouse, especially folic acid and iron. If a pregnancy occurs before these nutrients return to healthy levels, that could affect the health of both the pregnant person and the baby.

What are the risks of spaceing very separate pregnancies?

A long time between pregnancies can increase certain health risks. For example, there may be a higher risk of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a serious condition that can cause health problems for the pregnant person and the baby. There may also be a greater risk of having very hard work, also called Labor Dystocia.

It is not clear why much between pregnancies raises health risks. It is possible that pregnancy has a durable positive effect on the ability of the uterus to support the growth of a fetus, but over time those positive effects fader.

What is the best amount of time between pregnancies?

For most people, it is better to wait for 18 to 24 months, but less than five years after a living birth before getting pregnant again. This reduces the risk of health problems.

For some people, the best moment of pregnancy can be different, including those who:

  • They are greater than 35.
  • Used in vitro fertilization for an earlier pregnancy.
  • He had premature labor during a previous pregnancy.
  • They have had preeclampsia.
  • I have had a loss of pregnancy in or after 20 weeks, called a fetal dead.
  • They have had a caesarean section.

If one of them applies to you, talk to your health professional about the right time for pregnancy for your situation.

In addition, these risks and recommendations generally do not apply to people who have had a spontaneous abortion, which is the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks. If you are healthy and feel ready, there is no need to wait to get pregnant after spontaneous abortion. If you have had two or more spontaneous abortions in a row, talk to your health professional before trying to get pregnant again.

Choosing when having a baby is a personal decision. When planning your next pregnancy, there are many things in which you want to think together with the possible health effects. As you decide on the time of another pregnancy, use a reliable form of birth control.

And keep in mind that there is no perfect time to have another baby. Even with careful planning, you cannot always control when a pregnancy occurs. But knowing your choices for birth control and understanding possible risks related to the moment of pregnancies can help you make an informed decision about the growth of your family.