What is the ideal difference between two pregnancies?

One, two, five years ... even more! What is the ideal difference between two pregnancies? While medical advice on the issue is well settled, it is not the same for couples. Some choose to rally very quickly, while others prefer to let go for several years before expanding the tribe. The pros and cons before you decide.

Two babies at 1 year intervals

Prior to contraception, pregnancies were chained at the pleasure of Mother Nature, and in 20% of cases, baby # 2 was pointing the tip of the nose the year after the birth of the eldest. Nowadays, couples who opt for a reduced gap do so very often to encourage complicity between brothers and sisters. It is true that growing up, two very close children evolve rather like twins and share many things (activities, friends, clothes ...)
. Meanwhile ... when the new baby arrives, the largest is far from autonomous and it requires investment and availability of every moment. Other women start a second pregnancy quickly, pressed by the famous biological clock. Even if we are still very young at 35, our stock of eggs begins to decline. So, if we started late for the first, better not to wait too long to conceive the second baby.

The other side of the coin: when the mother puts two pregnancies in a row, her body has not always had the time to get back in shape. Some still have a few extra pounds ... more difficult to lose then. Others have not rebuilt their iron stock. The key is greater fatigue or even a slightly higher risk of anemia.

ADVICE ++

If your first pregnancy was accompanied by high blood pressure or diabetes, it is better to wait until the balance sheet has returned to normal before expanding the family. Same advice for those who have delivered by caesarean section, because pregnancy and childbirth too close together can weaken the uterine scar. This is why the College of Gynecologists Obstetricians French (CNGOF) advises against being pregnant less than a year to a year and a half after a cesarean section.

AND THE BABY'S SIDE?

A study in the United States pointed to a higher risk of prematurity when the second child follows too closely the first: the rate of premature births (before 37 weeks of amenorrhea) was almost three times higher among babies whose mother had two pregnancies within one year of each other. To qualify because "these studies carried out overseas are not necessarily transposable in France," says Professor Philippe Deruelle

"I wanted a second baby very quickly"

My first pregnancy and childbirth, I do not really have a good memory ... But when I had Margot in the arms, it's a dream come true and it's not to get out of these moments so rich in emotion that I wanted a second baby very quickly. I did not want my daughter to be raised alone. Five months later, I was pregnant. My second pregnancy was exhausting. At the time, my husband was a soldier. He had to go abroad from the 4th to the 8th month of pregnancy. Not easy everyday! The small third arrived "by surprise", 17 months after the second. This pregnancy took place without worry. But "relational" side, it was not obvious. With three young children, I often felt excluded. Difficult to go to dinner with friends or to have a restaurant with a partner ... With the arrival of the youngest, the "big" are autonomous and suddenly, I take full advantage of my baby. It's a real pleasure! "

HORTENSE, mother of Margot, 11 1/2, Garance, 10 1/2, Victoire, 9, and Isaure, 4 years.

Between 18 and 23 months

If you choose to wait 18 to 23 months before you get pregnant again, you're right in the middle! In any case, this is the ideal amount of time to avoid prematurity, small weight and miscarriage *. The organism has recovered well and still benefits from the protection acquired during the first pregnancy. This is no longer the case when the gap exceeds five years (59 months to be precise). On the other hand, another study would show that waiting 27 to 32 months would reduce the risk of bleeding in the 3rd trimester and urinary tract infection. On the practical side, clothes and toys can be passed from first to second, and even if children take a few years to share the same activities, the older child is often proud to serve as a guide for their little brother or sister. So, it relieves a little parents! * International study involving 11 million pregnant women.

And for the health of the baby, it's better a big gap?

It seems like no. Studies have shown more intrauterine growth delays, low birth weights and prematurity beyond 5 years. Finally, each situation has its advantages and disadvantages. It's up to you to choose according to your desire. What is important is to welcome this new baby in the best conditions, with a good follow-up all the pregnancy and full of happiness in mind!

A second baby 5 years or older after the first

Sometimes it's the big gap between the first two pregnancies. Some families go back five or even ten years later. It keeps parents in shape! No question indeed of dragging feet to carry the bike or the scooter when returning from the park! Neither to refuse a game of football or beach volleyball on the beach while one would prick a little napkin on his towel. This pregnancy arrived late after the first, it restores vitality and tone! And as we went through all the situations with the big one, for the second, we let go of the ballast and we are less stressed. Advantage too: we can really enjoy each child as if he were an only child and the arguments between them are rare.

On the other hand, on the other hand, one is sometimes more tired than one was for the elder: to get up every three or four hours, to carry the folding bed and the bags of diapers, not to mention the teeth which pierce .. It's not easy with a few more wrinkles. Not to mention that the pace of life that we had been used to is turned upside down! In short, nothing is ever perfect!

"This important gap between my two children was really desired and planned by our couple.I had a first pregnancy a bit complicated at the end, with a caesarean delivery.But once reassured about the health of my baby, I had more than one desire: take advantage of it to the maximum the first years What I did I have a colleague who has children close together, and frankly, I envied At the end of nine years, as I was about to turn 35, I thought the time had come to enlarge the family and had my contraceptive implant removed.This second pregnancy was generally well unwinding, but towards the end, I was placed under enhanced surveillance to check my baby's growth, I had a cesarean as for the first because the cervix did not open. goes very well with my baby. I was much less stressed than with the first, and for my eldest, I panicked easily if something went wrong. There, I stay zen. Greater maturity, no doubt! And then, my eldest daughter is delighted to be able to cuddle her little sister. I am convinced, despite the difference in age, that in a few years they will have great moments of complicity. "

DELPHINE, mother of Océane, 12, and Léa, 3 months.

According to the latest figures from INSEE, the average interval between the 1st and 2nd babies is 3.9 years and 4.3 years between the 2nd and 3rd children.