Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Travel
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Property
  • Health
  • TV
  • Podcasts
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Travel
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Property
  • Health
  • TV
  • Podcasts
Subscribe
YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

How much does IVF cost in Australia?

How much does IVF cost in Australia?

Indoor plants: 10 of the best house plants

Indoor plants: 10 of the best house plants

How to keep fit at any age

How to keep fit at any age

How long does caffeine last in your system?

How long does caffeine last in your system?

{headline}

{headline}

How to tone your body with Sam Wood

How to tone your body with Sam Wood

So you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, what now?

So you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, what now?

The simple health test that could save your life

The simple health test that could save your life

{headline}

{headline}

4 myths about asthma debunked

4 myths about asthma debunked

The 60 second health check you should be doing

The 60 second health check you should be doing

When is the best time to eat

When is the best time to eat

5 benefits of having a high protein breakfast

5 benefits of having a high protein breakfast

Three Australians share their journey with diabetes technology

Three Australians share their journey with diabetes technology

The serious new reason why you should be eating Brussels sprouts

The serious new reason why you should be eating Brussels sprouts

35 best face masks in Australia

35 best face masks in Australia

  1. Home
  2. Better Life

This is how long you should wait between pregnancies

According to a new report - by Alex Pierotti
  • 30 Oct 2018
This is how long you should wait between pregnancies

After your first child, you're probably considering another so your first-born isn't alone. But just how long do you have to wait? New research might have the answer. 

According to a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, the ideal waiting time between pregnancies is between 12 and 18 months. 

The findings suggest waiting this recommended period after giving birth can reduce health risks to both the mum and baby of all ages. Mostly mothers over the age of 35 saw risks to their personal health. Meanwhile, women of all ages put their infant at risk, especially those aged between 20 and 34. 

"Our study found increased risks to both mother and infant when pregnancies are closely spaced, including for women older than 35," said lead author Laura Schummers in a statement.

"The findings for older women are particularly important, as older women tend to more closely space their pregnancies and often do so intentionally."

After analysing 150,000 Canadian health records of mothers and babies, scientists examined the impact of pregnancy spacing. Researchers analysed information such as birth records, hospitalisation data and infertility information to find a link to both complications with birth as well mortality and morbidity rates. 

Results found that less than 12 months between pregnancies was associated with unfortunate deliveries. 

1Mothers aged 35 and older who fell pregnant just six months after giving birth were at 1.2 per cent risk of maternal mortality or severe morbidity while also at 6 per cent risk of premature birth.

If the mother waited 18 months, that risk came down to just 0.5 per cent while the chances of premature birth halved. 

Further, women in the 20 to 34 age bracket, who also conceived just six months after birth, were at an 8.5 per cent risk of premature birth. That risk drops by 5 per cent if they wait 18 months. 

Study authors suggest that the findings could be important for family planning and the different health risks associated with different age groups.

"Short pregnancy spacing might reflect unplanned pregnancies, particularly among young women," says professor of epidemiology Dr Sonia Hernandez-Diaz, from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

"Whether the elevated risks are due to our bodies not having time to recover if we conceive soon after delivering or to factors associated with unplanned pregnancies, like inadequate prenatal care, the recommendation might be the same: improve access to postpartum contraception, or abstain from unprotected sexual intercourse with a male partner following a birth."

You might also like:

Study finds eating bacon and eggs during pregnancy can up your baby's intelligence

Morning sickness when not pregnant

  • News
  • Health
  • Better Life
Alex Pierotti
Alex Pierotti
Alex has high hopes of being the next Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. He lives for Pinterest, knows his way around a toolbox and frothed millennial pink before it was in fashion. When he's not catching up on old episodes of Better Homes and Gardens, you'll find him tending to his veggie patch or plating up a mean roast lamb (with all the trimmings).

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

How much does IVF cost in Australia?

How much does IVF cost in Australia?

Indoor plants: 10 of the best house plants

Indoor plants: 10 of the best house plants

How to keep fit at any age

How to keep fit at any age

How long does caffeine last in your system?

How long does caffeine last in your system?

{headline}

{headline}

How to tone your body with Sam Wood

How to tone your body with Sam Wood

So you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, what now?

So you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, what now?

The simple health test that could save your life

The simple health test that could save your life

{headline}

{headline}

4 myths about asthma debunked

4 myths about asthma debunked

The 60 second health check you should be doing

The 60 second health check you should be doing

When is the best time to eat

When is the best time to eat

5 benefits of having a high protein breakfast

5 benefits of having a high protein breakfast

Three Australians share their journey with diabetes technology

Three Australians share their journey with diabetes technology

The serious new reason why you should be eating Brussels sprouts

The serious new reason why you should be eating Brussels sprouts

35 best face masks in Australia

35 best face masks in Australia

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Instyle
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Shop This Offer
Get your mag delivered!