How quickly can you get pregnant again?

For women who just gave birth, getting pregnant again may be the last thing on their minds. But that doesn’t mean it’s physiologically impossible.

“It’s a common misconception that a woman cannot get pregnant again soon after delivery,” says Dr. Callie Cox Bauer, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Aurora Health Care. “While exclusive breastfeeding can delay return to ovulation for some women, many will start having periods again within six weeks. In fact, it’s not uncommon for moms to become pregnant again within 12 months of a delivery if pregnancy prevention is not discussed.”

Dr. Bauer says that having a conversation with your birth team is important to ensure that you have the knowledge and control over your fertility prior to the delivery of your baby. The postpartum appointment is another important visit where this can and should be discussed.

The average woman in the U.S. has 1.7 children, and the majority of women expect to have at least two children in their lifetimes, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is one of many reasons why postpartum care is particularly important.

Yet new research from Advocate Aurora Research Institute Epidemiologist Amanda Luff suggests that this often can be a time when women are not receiving adequate care.

“Postpartum care isn’t solely about monitoring a new mom’s physical and mental health,” Luff says. “It can include education too. Most repeat pregnancies within 18 months of a previous birth are unintended. Some women may underestimate the time it takes to return to fertility, which can be as little as 27 days following delivery. Education about what takes place after delivery could help prevent these unintended repeat pregnancies.”

Decades of research show that getting pregnant again within 18 months is associated with numerous negative birth outcomes, which can include:

• Low birthweight
• Fast delivery that brings other potential risks
• Preterm delivery
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admission
• Infant mortality

It’s important to note that the existing research does not necessarily indicate that quickly getting pregnant again directly causes these negative outcomes, but rather that they are often seen together, explains Luff.

She and her colleagues found that women who became pregnant within three to six months of delivery were more likely to have delayed or not accessed postpartum care. Conversely, mothers who discussed postpartum contraception with their doctors were less likely to get pregnant again within three to six months.

“The data show that there is a clear knowledge gap regarding postpartum heath care, but also that many women face significant challenges in attending postpartum care, such as lack of childcare for their newborn or a conflicting work schedule,” says Luff.

Dr. Cox Bauer says there are a lot of factors that should go into the decision to get pregnant again.

“I generally recommend moms try to wait at least six months but ideally 18 months before getting pregnant again, which aligns with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ recommendations.” she says. “But age, family desires and one’s health history play a large role in that decision, which is why postpartum care is so essential.”

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Learn more about research at Advocate Aurora Research Institute