how long between babies?

[mamapants]

Does anyone know how long it takes for your body to recover from pregnancy and birth?
Are there recommendations for a minimum gap?

Anyone with experience with small age gaps?

[AmandaPayne]

There are an awful lot of variables to that. You might want to tell people what sort of birth and any complications? Also how old you are.

A 21 year old with a straightforward vaginal birth is likely to recover much more quickly than a 35 year old with SPD and a section.

Are you keen to have a small gap and looking for positive stories? Because there are lots of people on here who can provide those if you need them (not me, had just over two years).

[mamapants]

Yes keen for a small gap in theory but now I have DS1 I worry about if he might need more time being the only one and I just worry if conceiving too soon makes you more at risk of miscarriage or complications.
I'm 29, pregnancy was uncomplicated for the most part although ended up being induced at 39 weeks for suspected pre eclampsia, birth straightforward other than a bit of blood loss. DS1 is almost 7mths and I'm still breastfeeding round the clock. That's it really.

[MotherOfNations]

I had 3 in 3 years all cesareans with no problems. I read recently that you're really meant to wait 18 months to conceive again after a cesarean.
It really depends on the individual. I'm expecting my 5th child and was worried as it means a 5th cesarean and was sure my GP would recommend being sterilised after this one but she wasn't concerned at all.

[MrsSpencerReid]

Im 7w preg and DS is nearly 10months, under consultant as I'm high risk and he said it was ok to have them so close and I had a section, I guess if you're ready go for it!! If you're still bf that might cause probs I guess!

[mamapants]

Well done mother of nations- how is it looking after 3 so young and how is it being pregnant with a little one wanting attention and hugs?
Congrats mrs spencer reid, how is it going so far?
Is your 10mth old sleeping through? Its one of the things I worry about the tiredeness of pregnancy coupled with getting up through the night.

[mamapants]

Oh and thank you for sharing your experiences.

[AliceWChild]

I read it's a year for your body to be ready again. To do with building nutrients back up or something. I'm sure there's different answers.

[afterdinnerkiss]

mamapants only you can know. i always read your body needs two full years to recover in strength and nutritionally, meaning nearly 3 years between children. i do however find this link at alpha parent very helpful and funny on child spacing.

[NaturalBaby]

I read that it takes a minimum of 6 months, maybe 9, for your body to recover from pregnancy. I had 3 under 3 and feel that I pushed it a bit - ds1 was 6months and still ebf when I conceived. Ds2 and Ds3 were a bit smaller than ds1 - I felt like I didn't grow as big and healthy babies the 2nd and 3rd time round!
One of the big benefits was that my toddler was still having big afternoon naps when baby arrived so we all used to have a lovely afternoon sleep together.

[char1eston]

There are a couple of people on my ante natal thread who have babies of 4 months and have just found out they are pg. i have a dd (20 months) and only started to feel ready for no 2 a few months back (am 7+4 now).
Re the sleeping through - dd still doesn't reliably sleep through the night but all babies are different.

[MotherOfNations]

Sorry mamapants just got back to the thread. Having 3 under 3 was great but I won't deny it is harder now that they are older. They fight constantly.
I'm struggling with pregnancy exhaustion right now which will probably only get worse but I'm always up for cuddles from the little one.

[Branleuse]

i have an 11mth gap between my last two babies and while theyre super close friends, I have never been the same since, mentally or physically.

[MrsSpencerReid]

He did sleep through but has stopped now grrrr. I am very tired so hoping for the pregnancy bloom to come soon!! I have to admit the thought of only going back to work for a few months is nice I think dc3 will have a longer gap though unless I'm so tired having 2 I forget my pill!!