Birth spacing

[2] If the mother has had a prior C-section, it is advisable to wait before giving birth again due to the risk of uterine rupture in the mother during childbirth, with recommendations of a minimum inter-delivery interval ranging from a year to three years.

[5][6][7][8] Cultural and religious attitudes towards both sex and the use of contraceptives,[9] price and availability of health care, and poverty are all factors which can affect inter-pregnancy intervals.

[12] Inter-pregnancy interval of lower than 18 months is associated with an increased risk of pre-term birth.

In one study inter-pregnancy intervals shorter than 6 months were associated with 2-3 times increased risk of uterine rupture, major morbidity, and blood transfusion during vaginal delivery in mothers with at least one prior C-section.

[14] Complications of a short inter-pregnancy interval are lower after an abortion or miscarriage compared to a full-term pregnancy.

The region with the greatest percentage of short interbirth intervals was central Asia, where a third of children were born less than 24 months apart.