Everyone wants to know the optimal gap between pregnancies.

What is a short gap?

Well according to most guidelines less 18 months would be considered short, with less than 12 or even 6 months being extremely short. What you need to know about a short gap is that the smaller it is the higher the risk of small baby and premature birth. It would also decrease your success at having a VBAC (if planned) due to a higher risk of uterine rupture (this is still a very small number though, the odds are generally in your favour) and this is not the only deciding factor.

It is generally recommended to avoid becoming pregnant within 6 months from birth of your last baby due to raised maternal risk (risk to mum). FYI a long interval is considered as 60-75 months.

So why would people have a shorter gap?

Well that's the thing, there is no wrong or right way to do it. It is whatever works best for you and your family. Some people want to have their children close together, or to have a larger number. Some people are starting their parenthood journey slightly older or have fertility issues. Some people wish to have their babies close together to focus on their careers around that. Some have different partners after a long time and have a longer interval!

There is no wrong way to build a family. Just be aware of the risks vs benefits when making your decisions. It is important to note that when we talk about the gap in pregnancies we actually are referencing the time from birth on a baby until conception of the next (not birth of the next). This is known as the Inter Pregnancy Interval (IPI).

Basically, whatever works for you.... Do that