How Soon Can I Get Pregnant After Giving Birth?

When you give birth, you achieve so much. Your new baby attests to that! But, it takes a lot out of you doing the physical work of creating another person during the months of pregnancy. Your body needs time and space to recover after giving birth before becoming pregnant again.

Let’s talk about post-birth fertility. Whether you’re excited about continuing to expand your family, want to use birth control to plan pregnancies with specific spacing, or don’t want to get pregnant again at all after giving birth to your child, when you have the facts and information you need, you can make the right choices for you and your loved ones.

At Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin, Dr. Mary Grace Bridges and her team of obstetrical and gynecological experts are here to help you manage your post-birth fertility on your own terms. Dr. Bridges sees patients at her offices in Odessa and Midland, Texas. Here’s what you need to know about getting pregnant soon after giving birth.

When fertility returns after giving birth

While you’re pregnant, your fertility stays dormant. You don’t have your menstrual cycle, and your ovaries don’t release new eggs for fertilization.

The return of fertility after giving birth can be irregular, and varies from person to person. For some, breastfeeding extends the window after pregnancy when conception isn’t possible. But, since this can be irregular, it’s a good idea to plan on using a back-up method of birth control to prevent pregnancy while you’re still breastfeeding.

It’s actually possible to conceive again before your first postpartum period. Some people have a sterile first postpartum period, meaning that ovulation doesn’t occur in the first returning cycle. However, others ovulate before the first postpartum period.

Often, it takes 3-6 months for your normal menstrual cycle and fertility to reappear after giving birth. If you’re not breastfeeding, your period might start sooner, around 6-12 weeks after giving birth. You could also wait nine months or more for your fertility to fully return.

When it’s safe to try for another pregnancy

It may be physically possible for you to get pregnant almost right away after giving birth. However, there are some health risks to mother and baby in closely-spaced pregnancies that you should know about.

Recommendations from medical professionals suggest that best health outcomes for mother and baby involve waiting at least 18 months after giving birth to become pregnant again. This spacing interval gives your body sufficient time to fully recover from pregnancy.

Closer-spaced pregnancies increase your risks of premature birth and low birthweight. These health conditions can create life-long health problems for your child after they’re born.

Postpartum fertility management 

At Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin, Dr. Bridges supports her patients with all of their family planning needs. Talk to Dr. Bridges about your hopes and concerns around pregnancy, and she can recommend fertility management strategies in line with your personal needs.

For more information on the return of fertility after giving birth, and effective birth control and fertility management tools, contact Dr. Bridges at Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin online or over the phone today and schedule your appointment now.