How Long Should You Wait Between Pregnancies?

New parents discuss having more children.

How close together would you like to have your children? Is it better to have them close together, so that you can get through the diaper stage all at once, or to spread them out so the older ones can help with the younger ones? If you have waited to start a family, do you have time to have more than two children? How far apart you space your children is a subjective decision, of course, but medical science does have some guidelines to offer. Beyond that, there are pros and cons to consider, no matter which way you’re leaning.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), women should wait between 18 and 24 months between pregnancies. However, recent research published in JAMA Internal Medicine, women only need to wait a year between a birth and another pregnancy. A smaller gap than that can increase risks to the mother and baby, and the new findings indicate that waiting 12 to 18 months is optimal. This is great news for women over 35, who might be concerned about having more children as their maternal age advances. It’s important to wait at least 12 months between pregnancies, though, because becoming pregnant sooner than that increases the risk of maternal mortality, no matter the age of the mother. The risk is lower still at 18 months, so weigh this carefully when spacing your children.

Getting pregnant too quickly in succession is also risky for the baby. It increases the odds of premature birth, low rate, and small gestational age, all of which increase the risk of long-term health problems. Closely spaced pregnancies also have a higher risk of placental abruption, which results in a higher risk of fetal mortality and stillbirth.

Aside from the health of mom and baby, there are several other factors that you should consider when determining how far apart to space your pregnancies.

• How much of a gap do you want to have between your children? There is something to be said for having children who go through similar stages at the same time. They can share toys and gear, are likely to play together nicely, and as mentioned earlier, you can get through the diaper stage more quickly. On the other hand, being able to spend time alone with your newborn while your older child is in preschool is helpful. Having a “big” sibling who can help out with minor tasks, like bringing you a burp cloth or a new pack of wipes, can also be a boon.
• Consider your living space. Is there enough space for your children to have separate rooms? Will your older child be using the crib when your little one arrives? Will your children need to share space? Think about how you will situate the kids, along with any challenges you’ll face in the near future, like a move, that could make having a baby any time soon inconvenient.
• Think about the expense of a new baby. One benefit to having kids close together is that they can share much of the gear, and your older one will likely have hand-me-downs to pass along to the new baby. Consider, however, the expense of things like diapers and childcare, and make sure that having another child won’t put your family into a financial disadvantage.
• How do you feel about having another baby? Are you ready? Talk to your spouse so that you’ll know you’re on the same page. Your mental health and your instincts are both important, so trust your gut on whether or not this is the right time to bring another little person into your family.

The bottom line, of course, is that planning the spacing of your family is intensely personal. At the Center for Vasectomy Reversal, we love helping people grow their families. We pride ourselves on helping men improve their fertility through uncompromising, concierge-level patient care. Under the direction of Dr. Joshua Green, our team provides state-of-the-art treatment for men who need a reversal of their vasectomy or have other fertility concerns. To learn more, contact us through our website or call 941-894-6428.