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Key takeaways

• Pregnancy spacing is the time between giving birth and getting pregnant again.
• It is generally recommended to wait at least 18 months after giving birth before becoming pregnant again.
• This spacing helps ensure a healthier pregnancy and baby.
• Consider your physical, emotional, and family needs when deciding on time between children.

What is pregnancy spacing and why does it matter?

Pregnancy spacing is the time between giving birth to one baby and getting pregnant with the next (also called the interpregnancy interval).

There are many benefits to allowing enough time between pregnancies. It helps your body recover fully from childbirth. This also gives you the best chance for a healthy pregnancy and baby.

Getting pregnant again very soon after birth can sometimes lead to challenges. This is why giving your body enough time to recover between pregnancies is beneficial.

Official health recommendations for timing

It is generally advised to wait at least 18 months after giving birth before getting pregnant again. This may be particularly important after a caesarean birth. It gives your body time to recover and can help you have a healthier pregnancy and birth in the future. It also reduces the risks of complications in the next pregnancy.

The best timing for another pregnancy can vary depending on your age, fertility, previous pregnancy experiences, and overall health. Some people may choose to try for another pregnancy sooner or later than this recommendation. If you are unsure what is right for you, speak to your doctor, midwife or healthcare professional for personalised advice.

Understanding the risks of short spacing

If you would like to avoid another pregnancy, it is important to start using contraception from day 21 after birth, as pregnancy can occur before your periods return.

Giving your body time to recover can help lower some health risks for you and your next baby.

This includes reducing the risk of complications such as having a premature birth or a baby with a low birth weight.

Factors to consider for your family

Deciding when to have another baby involves many personal considerations. These include your age, physical and emotional recovery, and the needs of your existing children.

Maternal age

It is common for parents to have babies in their late thirties or forties. Most of these pregnancies are healthy. However, older people are more likely to experience pregnancy complications.

Older people are more likely to develop a type of diabetes that happens during pregnancy (gestational diabetes). They also have a higher chance of a condition that causes high blood pressure during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia). They may also have diabetes or high blood pressure before pregnancy. The risk of stillbirth is slightly higher, but still very rare.

The chance of having a baby with a chromosomal condition, such as Down syndrome, increases with age. This chance is still very small for most people, and most babies are born healthy, whatever their parent's age.

Older people are also more likely to have multiple pregnancies, like twins or triplets. This can happen naturally or through assisted reproduction techniques such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Carrying more than one baby can also make pregnancy complications more likely.

It is known that fertility naturally changes with age, which might be a factor in your timeline for having another baby.

Physical recovery

Your body goes through many changes during pregnancy and needs time to recover after birth before another pregnancy. The abdominal muscles and pelvic floor stretch. The way you walk and stand changes, and the stability of your joints is affected.

Emotional recovery

Being pregnant and having a baby can be very emotional. Most people feel a mix of emotions ranging from joy to sadness and frustration. Around 1 in 5 women experience mental health issues during pregnancy or in the first year after birth. Having time between pregnancies can allow emotional recovery and adjustment to life with your new baby.

Needs of existing children

Having another child can be wonderful. When considering expanding your family, it's helpful to think about how a future pregnancy might impact your existing children. It's also important to consider your capacity to care for them. For example, caring for a baby or toddler while pregnant can be challenging. There may also be less time for self-care.

Thinking about the age gap between children can be useful. A smaller age gap might mean the older child still needs a lot of care, which could feel harder. A bigger gap might mean the older child is able to be more helpful, but they might still find the new baby's arrival unsettling.

Preparing older children

When the time comes, you can prepare your older child for a new baby. This might involve reading stories about a new baby joining the family or talking to them about how they can help with the baby.

You can teach and encourage an older child to do simple tasks, such as washing or dressing themselves, which may help when your time is more occupied with a new baby. It is helpful to be prepared for questions about how their life might change. They might ask, "Will you still love me?" or “Will I still have my own room?”

Support system

Planning ahead with your partner or co-parent can be helpful. Speaking with friends who have had babies can also be a great source of support for when you think about having another baby. Peer support groups offer a space to share experiences. Having a strong personal support network also makes a big difference.