Are you having another baby

:) It seems that people are having or wanting babies left and right (which is why I'll always have a job, THANKS!!!)However, did you know that optimal birth spacing (time between pregnancies) is 2 to 5 years?

This is because women becoming pregnant less than two years or more than 5 years from their previous birth are at increased risk for obstetrical complications for both mom and baby.Women having children less than 2 years from a previous pregnancy are at increased risk of having babies with low birth weight. Though mothers naturally love their little boo boos, if you think of the fetus as a minature little parasite (I know I know harsh words) that is basically trying to gain as much of your body's nutrients as possible for 10 (not 9) months, then you'll understand why you need to give your body time to recoop from that in order to live healthy not only for yourself, but for future little boo boos that will need the same nutrients that you gave your previous child or children.

Prolonged pregnancy spacing (greater than 5 years) has been associated with increased risk of preeclampsia and still births. Pregnancy between the optimal 2 to 5 year window has been shown to produce improved outcomes for mom (less utuerine bleeding, anemia, depression, etc) and better outcomes for baby and the family as a whole.

Now don't freak out if things didn't go according to plan and you find yourself pregnant outside of this interval, just make sure you are getting your regular OB visits like EVERY pregnant woman should. Don't think "oh my gosh, its been 6 years since I've had a child, so now I can't have one" because that's not what I am saying. Or don't think "its been less than 2 years and I'm already pregnant. . . oh no" becuase that's not what I'm saying either. Again, just make sure to consult your doc, take care of yourself, and put it in God's hands. However, if you have the opportunity to plan and you think that you might want another boo boo in the future, just keep this spacing interval in mind since the wide array of contraceptive measures available today make pregnancy planning easier than ever before!

*The advice in this post is in no way shape or form to serve as a substitute for regular physician visits or to suggest one embark on a new treatment plan without first seeing your doctor. It is to provide information so that you can take a proactive role on your health*(c) 2008