My Family Planning
Getting Pregnant Again
If you recently had a baby it’s a good idea to wait before becoming pregnant again. Children born too closely together have an increased risk of infant death, low birth weight, among others.
Doctors agree it’s healthier for moms and babies to wait 18 – 24 months or more depending on health concerns.
The recommended waiting period is shortened for moms age 35 and older due to infertility concerns.
Plan for birth control
Typically, women who breastfeed around the clock for the first six months of the baby’s life do not ovulate.
However, there is still a chance that you can get pregnant while breastfeeding, and the chances increase as your baby feeds less.
You can get pregnant as soon as 2–3 weeks after giving birth. Talk to your health care provider about birth control options while breastfeeding so that you can take care of yourself while taking care of your baby.
Are You Ready?
Thinking about another child is exciting and is a great time to begin planning. It’s important to think about how a new pregnancy will affect everyone in your family. Some major factors to consider are financial, health, family history, and nutrition.
Raising a family is a big commitment in addition to work, school, and relationships. If you feel like you’re running on empty, it’s best to take care of yourself by getting sleep, eating nutritious meals, and staying active so you can stay healthy for yourself and your family.
Your energy may be drained from pregnancy and breastfeeding, but did you know that it can also drain your body of nutrients, particularly folate? If you become pregnant again before replacing those nutrients, it can affect your health or your baby’s health.
Raising a child in the US
The average cost for a child’s first year of life is $13,000.
Costs remain steady between $12,800 – $15,000 every year.
You may also wonder if you can handle another child emotionally. While you’re thinking of everyone else in your family, don’t forget to ask yourself these questions: