Pregnancy

Hello Mandy,

Welcome to the EmpowHER community. Thank you for reaching out to us for advice on pregnancy spacing.

I can appreciate your desire to have at least four children, and your wish to have each child close in age to prior sibling.

However, you and your partner need to take a serious look at the consequences of this. There will be physical, emotional and financial demands.

Limited research suggests that a pregnancy within 12 months of giving birth is associated with an increased risk of:
1) The placenta partially or completely peeling away from the inner wall of the uterus before delivery. This is called placental abruption.

2) The placenta attaching to the lower part of the uterine wall, partially or totally covering the cervix, which is called placenta previa, in women who had a first birth by C-section. Research also suggests an increased risk of uterine rupture in women who attempt vaginal birth after cesarean less than 18 months after a previous delivery.

3) Autism in second-born children.

A pregnancy within 18 months of giving birth is associated with an increased risk of low birth weight, small size for gestational age, and preterm birth.

Mandy, pregnancy and breast-feeding can deplete your stores of essential nutrients, such as iron and folate. If you become pregnant before replacing those stores, it could affect your health or your baby's health.

Regards,
Maryann