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Pregnancy Spacing and Family Planning

Planning pregnancies is good, smart sexual health, which has a positive effect on women and their families. Having babies close together can cause medical problems and emotional stress for the mother and the new baby.

Advantages to waiting:

  • Allows time for a mom to obtain a healthy weight and physical fitness in preparation for the next pregnancy.
  • Allows more time for nursing the first infant.
  • Chance to optimize nutrition before next pregnancy.
  • Allows time to regain energy levels (not as tired) when dealing with 2 small infants.
  • May allow time for Postpartum Depression issues to resolve.

Disadvantages to not waiting:

  • Infant low birth weight is increased with short spacing.
  • Preterm birth is increased slightly.
  • More anemia is common with short pregnancy intervals.
  • Calcium depletion is increased with short pregnancy intervals.
  • Economic strain of having two children in diapers or in childcare at the same time.

Advantages to not waiting:

  • Children growing up close with their siblings.
  • Limiting the amount of time the family is in "baby chaos."

There are many great new family planning methods available. The most effective methods are still the hormonal methods (pills, patches, shots or implants), IUD and sterilization. (Over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.) However, its important to remember that the effectiveness of hormonal methods is greatly reduced if they are not used according to instruction. You may also choose to use natural family planning methods (NFP) if these others do not appeal to you.

There is a variety of NFP methods to meet the needs of different women. Some NFP methods are simple to learn, but may not be suited for women with challenging medical circumstances. Other NFP methods take a little more effort to learn, but can be used by women with complicated medical issues. NFP methods are made available to women through organizations in Utah regardless of ability to pay. Research suggests that the most effective way to learn an NFP method is to meet with a qualified instructor, who can answer your specific questions about your own situation.

For emergencies, there is also the "morning after pill." If your birth control method fails (torn condom or diaphragm) or none was used, you still have the option to prevent a pregnancy after sexual intercourse. This pill needs to be taken within five days after unprotected sex, so the sooner the better. Medical authorities, such as the United States Food and Drug Administration/National Institutes of Health and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, define the beginning of pregnancy as the implantation of a fertilized egg in the lining of a woman's uterus. Implantation begins five to seven days after fertilization (and is completed several days later). Emergency contraceptives work before implantation and not after a woman is already pregnant. Note that the morning after pill is not as effective as correct condom use or hormonal birth control, but is a good alternative in an emergency. (About 75% to 85% effective, depending on when a woman takes it.)

Because there are so many options, most women can find a method that works best for their lifestyle. Talk to your doctor or nurse, or call Planned Parenthood in Utah at 1-800-230-PLAN, or visit www.plannedparenthood.org for more information.

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