Getting pregnant again shortly after giving birth otherwise known as “conception” is not really a new thing. Some mothers can even get pregnant and give birth again with a gap of less than a year. However, when is the right time to get pregnant again after giving birth?
In society there is often an assumption that after giving birth, especially if breastfeeding exclusively, women will take longer to get pregnant again. This assumption is not wrong, because exclusive breastfeeding is one of the natural methods of preventing pregnancy.
Pregnancy After Childbirth Can Happen Without Menstruation
After giving birth, you may think that a sign of fertility is when your period returns, so as long as you haven't had your period, you won't get pregnant again.
Whereas after the puerperium, if women do not use any form of contraception, including not breastfeeding exclusively, women who are sexually active will have the possibility to get pregnant again.
This is related to the ovulation cycle. Ovulation usually occurs 2 weeks before menstruation, so even if you haven't had your period, you may have entered your fertile period and ready to get pregnant again.
Can Breastfeeding Delay Pregnancy?
While breastfeeding, your body produces hormones that can delay pregnancy, especially if you are exclusively breastfeeding your baby. In addition, there are several other factors that make breastfeeding delay pregnancy, namely:
- Stress, illness, or fatigue during breastfeeding.
- High frequency of breastfeeding and long duration of breastfeeding.
- Exclusive breastfeeding, without the addition of formula milk.
Because it is influenced by many factors, mothers are advised not to rely on breastfeeding as a means of preventing pregnancy, especially 9 weeks after giving birth.
Considerations for the best time to get pregnant again after giving birth
The recommended lag time between pregnancies is 18-24 months. This time lag is needed for the mother's body to recover after giving birth, so it can minimize the risk of problems in the next pregnancy.
If the pregnancy gap is too short, i.e. less than 6 months, the risk of developing a number of the following conditions will increase:
- Premature rupture of membranes
- Placenta detaching from the uterine wall (placental abruption)
- Babies born prematurely
- Low baby weight
- Baby with congenital defects
While the pregnancy gap is too long, which is more than 5 years, or if you get pregnant again at the age of more than 35 years, the risk of high blood pressure and preeclampsia in subsequent pregnancies will be greater.
From the child's side, the gap between pregnancies will affect his psychological condition. The age gap between children that are too close is not recommended because each child requires sufficient attention during the first years. In addition, the age gap that is too close tends to make brothers and sisters often fight.
The age difference that is too far is not recommended. This is because the age gap that is too far can make the relationship between children tenuous (not close). In fact, the older brother may be jealous and hate the younger brother, because he feels his position has been taken away.
Getting pregnant again after giving birth can occur after the puerperium is over and while still breastfeeding. Therefore, it is important to have regular check-ups with the doctor after giving birth. If you don't want to get pregnant right away, don't forget to use contraception according to the doctor's recommendations.