risks of having baby number 2 shortly after baby number 1 really close?

jackieoickle · January 2015

I really want to have my children close, but how close is too close? my husband and I are thinking of trying for baby number 2. My son will be 1 year old March 11th. I'm just wondering if there is anyone out there that has any info on the risks of having a second child shortly after baby number 1. I'm on the fence. My husband is In his mid 30s, I'm 27. I don't want to be over 30 having children, my husband doesn't want to be 40 with a new born. I want my children close and before I'm 30 but if there are medical risks to having children close we will wait. Any thoughts?

DebateThis · January 2015

Calcium/other mineral depletion, anemia and abdominal separation are two big ones, and if you had a c/s for your first delivery you really should wait the recommended time in between pregnancies (IIRC it's something like 18 mos - 2 years between deliveries?) due to increased risk of uterine rupture.

There's a bunch more concerns, but it's really up to you to weigh those risks.

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/pregnancy-close-together-risks
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/getting-pregnant/in-depth/family-planning/art-20044072

jackieoickle · January 2015

Thanks for the info. I had a pretty easy pregnamcy and labour almost all natural other then the gas. I may discuss it further with my doctor when I take my son for his 1 year check up. I really would love to be pregnant again right now but thinking about the risks makes me want to wait at least until I talk with my doctor.

navbch · January 2015

With the info you've given, I think you'd be fine TTC now. But always consult your Dr. if you're concerned.

When my first was born, my ob said, "okay, see you in 18 months when you're pregnant again!" And I just laughed thinking, "nope." But she was right, that's when baby fever started to set in.

It's apparently very common.

harmonicbabe26 · January 2015

Meh I have a lot of friends who got pregnant right after having baby 1 bc they thought BFing would offer protection. Ridiculous to rely on that IMO. They have kids like 13 months apart or so. If you're young and healthy, and had a complication free pregnancy you will be fine.

DebateThis · January 2015

harmonicbabe26 said:

Meh I have a lot of friends who got pregnant right after having baby 1 bc they thought BFing would offer protection. Ridiculous to rely on that IMO. They have kids like 13 months apart or so. If you're young and healthy, and had a complication free pregnancy you will be fine.

This is just a dumb thing to say.

MrsRustyGriswold · January 2015

DebateThis said:

harmonicbabe26 said:

Meh I have a lot of friends who got pregnant right after having baby 1 bc they thought BFing would offer protection. Ridiculous to rely on that IMO. They have kids like 13 months apart or so. If you're young and healthy, and had a complication free pregnancy you will be fine.

This is just a dumb thing to say.

Agreed. I'm especially hung up on the bolded.

LuluRM · January 2015

Even if you got pregnant today, 19 months apart isn't even really that close in age. It's a pretty standard age gap. Also, you have no idea how long it will take you to conceive, it can take a healthy couple up to a year.

magdalina.h · January 2015

I had my first at 28w 4d due to my cord failing. I got pregnant 4 months after that (with my dr's okay) and my second was born a year and 20 days after my first. Everything was and is fine with him.

Empireceo · January 2015

My kids are 18 months apart. I had a c/s for the first and a VBAC for the second. Everyone is different so you should discuss this with your care provider

Pearlvirus · February 2015

My first was also born last March and we are talking about #2. At around 9 months post, I got my period and since then my body feels normal again. And since about 10 months she is sleeping mostly TTN. So I think we're mainly ready. The big concern for me is breast feeding. She is doing well with solids but nowhere near weaning. I am open to tandem but it seems to be crap shoot if you can make it through pregnancy or dry up/ too much pain / Ect. I think if we wee formula, we'd be trying already.

lifeisbetteronthered · February 2015

It's been said already, but I'll say it again. Talk to your doctor to get the best assessment of the risks of your particular situation.

DD was born vaginally and I suffered at 3+ degree tear. I was seeing a surgeon post partum due to the concern that I would require further surgery for repair. We got the go ahead to get pregnant an consider a second vaginal delivery when DD was 7 months old, and became pregnant 2 weeks later (a surprise, but a happy one). To say my OB was shocked is an understatement.

Unfortunately, dispite a complication free first pregnancy, I ended up with preeclampsia and placental abruption the second time around. I lost a significant amount of blood and required a true "crash section" to save my son's life. The same may have happened even if we had more time between pregnancies, who knows, but closely spaced pregnancies/deliveries are known risk factors.

Thankfully I have an amazing, healthy son.

Talk to your doctor.

HeavenBlessedMom · February 2015

Mine are fine. DD was 16 mo when our triplets were born. All great and healthy. 2 c sections were awesome!

DebateThis · February 2015

HeavenBlessedMom said:

Mine are fine. DD was 16 mo when our triplets were born. All great and healthy. 2 c sections were awesome!

My eyes just about bugged out of my head. I shall send you booze.

jenner77 · February 2015

A friend of mine had a 2 month old and got pregnant with identical twin girls. He was 11 months old when they were born. Everything was fine. She even delivered vaginally.

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