How Soon After Giving Birth Can You Get Pregnant? And What’s the Ideal Time Between Pregnancies?
Whether you’re currently expecting or have just given birth to your new bundle of joy, it’s natural to think about growing your family even more. In fact, you might think that having children back to back would have some real benefits for your family. However, it’s important that you have proper “pregnancy spacing” when you’re considering conceiving another baby. In this post, we’re going to take a look at how long you should wait until you get pregnant again and identify the ideal time between pregnancies.
How Soon Can You Get Pregnant After Giving Birth?
The ability to get pregnant after giving birth is determined by when your body naturally starts ovulating again. While this is different for everyone, women can start ovulating again as soon as three weeks after having a baby. It’s even possible to get pregnant before you get your first menstrual cycle during the postpartum period. With this in mind, it’s important to talk to your doctor about birth control options at your first checkup. There are also other factors that contribute to how soon you can get pregnant after giving birth, which include:
Are You Breastfeeding Your Newborn?
If you’re breastfeeding your baby, it can slow down the return of your menstrual cycle. How long this delay takes place is different for everyone and heavily depends on your breastfeeding schedule. Factors like how long your baby nurses, the number of times you nurse throughout a regular day, and the baby’s sleeping schedule all play a role. If there are any changes in your breastfeeding schedule, there’s a chance that your menstrual cycle can return.
Why is it important to know this information? It’s common for some women to use breastfeeding as a natural form of birth control following a pregnancy. While many doctors agree that this method can be effective, it’s important to talk with your OB/GYN regularly and to not rely on this method for longer than eight or nine weeks.
Having Sex After Giving Birth
There’s no question that deciding when to have sex after giving birth is a very personal choice. It’s usually recommended to wait a few weeks after having a baby before you resume sexual activity. You need to give your body time to recover at the start of the postpartum period. In the early stages of the healing process, it’s common for sex to be uncomfortable or painful. Even if you’ve started ovulating again, don’t push yourself to have sex if you’re experiencing any pain. Think of it as your body’s way of telling you it needs more time to adjust.
What Is the Optimal Time Between Pregnancies?
Mothers should wait at least a full year before getting pregnant again, according to a recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine. The main reason behind this recommendation is that shorter gaps in between pregnancies have more health risks for you and your baby. We know that family planning can be tough, but it’s best to practice a 12-month waiting period as an established guideline.
If you’re thinking about adding another bundle of joy to your family, it’s important to be aware of the risks involved if you get pregnant too early in your postpartum period. The risks of getting pregnant six months or less after giving birth include:
- Preterm birth
- Growth restrictions
- Low birth weight
- Congenital disorders
- Maternal anemia
One of the best ways to help keep you and your future baby healthy when it’s time to expand your family is to find the right OB/GYN.
King’s Daughters’ Health Offers Family-Centered Maternity Care in Madison, IN
If you’re looking for an OB/GYN you can trust, and want to make sure your family planning goes smoothly, the experts at King’s Daughters’ Health are here to help. Our doctors take a family-centered and personalized approach to maternity care. From family education classes to an obstetrics team with experienced nurses and doctors, we’re dedicated to helping your family thrive. Contact us today to learn more about maternity care in Madison, IN, you can trust.