How Long You Should Wait Between Pregnancies, According To Research

There’s no ‘right time’ to have a baby, whether it’s your first, second, or even your third, and there are a lot of things to consider when you’re thinking of bringing a little one into your family. You might be considering how having another baby will impact your routine, your family dynamic, your relationship with your partner, and your job, but we want to talk a little bit more about how having another baby can affect you and your body, mama. We’re sharing the recommended wait times between pregnancies, according to research.

It’s important to remember that the wait times and research below does not apply to women who are trying to conceive after a miscarriage. If you're healthy and feel ready, there's no need to wait to try to conceive again after having a miscarriage. Find more resources here.

What is the recommended wait time between pregnancies? 

There’s some conflicting advice on how long you should wait between pregnancies. The World Health Organization recommends waiting 24 months between pregnancies, with a minimum wait time of 18 months, whilst a 2018 study suggested that 12-18 months was the ideal length of time between giving birth and becoming pregnant again. 

New research from Curtin University suggests that waiting 24 months may be unnecessary for mothers in high-income countries such as Australia, Finland, Norway, and the United States. Lead researcher Dr. Gizachew Tessema said that “the risk of adverse birth outcomes after an interpregnancy interval of less than six months was no greater than for those born after an 18-23 month interval.” 

Ultimately, it’s important to talk to your health care provider if you are planning another pregnancy to find out recommended wait times in your country and discuss any individual worries or concerns you might have about falling pregnant. 

What are the potential risks of falling pregnant “too soon” after childbirth?

Currently, studies suggest waiting at least 18 months but no more than 5 years after a live birth before attempting your next pregnancy to reduce the risk of:

• Premature birth

• Placental abruption

• Low birth weight

• Congenital disorders

• Schizophrenia

• Maternal anemia

One study found that women over 35 who conceived just 6 months after a previous birth had a 1.2% risk of maternal mortality or harm, waiting 18 months between pregnancies reduced the risk to 0.5%. The same study showed that younger women who fell pregnant 6 months after a previous birth had an 8.5% chance of premature labor; this reduced to 3.7% if they fell pregnant after waiting 18 months between pregnancies. 

Are there any risks associated with waiting for longer between pregnancies? 

Although there is less research available on long wait times between pregnancies, some research does suggest that longer intervals (over 5 years) between pregnancies can increase the risk of some conditions such as preeclampsia, although it is not clear why. 

Do previous pregnancy and birth experiences affect the recommended wait times between pregnancies?

The short answer is yes, they do. Pregnancy and childbirth are extremely tough on your body and you’ve achieved incredible things by doing it, mama! You need to give your body and mind enough time to recover, particularly if you experienced any complications during any previous pregnancies. We recommend talking to your health care provider about getting pregnant again so you can discuss any concerns you or they might have. 

It’s also important to think about your mental health before trying to get pregnant again. In the UK, the NHS recommends talking to your doctor before you try to conceive if you have previously experienced any mental health conditions such as postnatal depression, postpartum psychosis, or PTSD. 

You might also be interested in Are You Ready For Baby? 9 Things To Discuss With Your Partner Before You Conceive. 

Want to know more about second pregnancies? Let us know in the comments below!

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