How soon is too soon?

ok so i just had baby number 1 10 days ago, how long do you think we should wait before ttc again, keeping in mind it took just about 5 years to get our little lily. I dont want there to be a large gap between babies

[MiaIvan]

That depends on you when to have a next one...  I wouldn't worry much about waiting 5 years unless you used invitro after my 1st I became extra fertile..
I say enjoy this little one as much as you can and wait a a little bit, but if that is not for you..i would wait for one of 2 things..wait until you are done breast feeding (if you are) or wait until your body has healed and you have had a couple regular periods.   I waited over 2 years and had a few miscarriages but now I am pregnant with my 2nd and my first will be three right after she is born.  I can't wait to meet her but I have loved the time I have spent with my ltille guy.  

[Lance06]

Medically for a regular delivery you should wait 6 weeks before having sex. Please also know that you are more fertile after giving birth. It took us 3 years to conceive our daugther and when she was 3 months old we found out we were pregnant again!

[smjmekg]

I agree with Mialvan, but also wanted to add, to wait and see how your life is with your new baby. In a couple weeks you may decide it's way too early to try since this new little being is taken up so much time, and needs so much attention. I have a fourteen month old, and am just now getting to the point where I am wanting to TTC number two. My personal choice was because my son was so needy at first, and as he grew I was afraid of him feeling neglected, by another baby. DH and I decided to start TTC again in Nov/Dec after trying for three months around March. DS will be two before another baby comes, and hopefully will be potty trained. I don't know how your financial situation is, but take it into consideration as well, diapers don't get cheaper, now that DS can eat most of what DH and I eat, I don't have to worry so much about spending extra money on more baby friendly foods...I'm not trying to discourage you from TTC again soon, that is obviously up to you and your other half. I would at least give yourself enough time to look at all the pros and cons of when to have another baby, and to heal, enjoy the time you do have with your baby until you do make that decision, they grow up fast, and if you blink you'll miss it!

[Worried_Mommie09]

Ok I just found out I am pregnant. My last period was 7/08/09. That would make me around 7 ot 8 wks. I went to the doctor last thursday and all she could find was a gestational sac. Also that I am not 7 to 8 wks but I was 5wks and 2 days. Should I be worried???

HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JoyRenee]

I agree with Lance06. Many women are more fertile after giving birth. It's almost as though it resets your body's fertility. It's definitely too soon at this point and I would give your body at least 6-12 months to replenish its vitamin/minerals stores and get back into shape.

[chantal21]

I would try to wait until closer to a year to start again. I was planning on waiting 2 years or so before trying after my son. I was breastfeeding exclusively and got pregnant when he was 8 months. I am due any day now, but have been on bedrest for 2 months. (sometimes I think my body didn't have enough time to heal) but ultimately it's a decision you have to make and whenever you are comfortable with it, then go for it. But it is recommended to wait at least a year.

[SliverCheer]

I think you should wait. Your new baby needs your love and support right now. I am an AVID supporter of breastfeeding and believe that natural spacing is the best method. Your new baby should be breastfeeding and this if done exclusively w/out pacifiers will hold off ovulation until your body is ready.

[pinkbelle]

breastfeeding is not a birthcontrol! some women still ovulate while breastfeeding! I just wanted to make sure that was clear!

[chantal21]

Just like I mentioned above, I exclusively breastfed and got my period back 8 weeks after giving birth. It was regular until I got pregnant again. My mom was the same way. It would be nice to have a break, but I guess I am not made that way!

[SliverCheer]

the lactational amenorrhea method is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy but you need to be exclusively breastfeeding on demand with no pacifiers. I don't think one should rely on it 100% if they don;t want to concieve (conceive) but for those who do want to conceive after baby I think that they should follow LAM and let their bodies decide when they are ready, and not make the decision to bottle feed to make it easier to conceive.

[Quinns momma]

I know MANY women who breastfed exclusively that got pregnant.  It should not even be considered 99% effective. I have worked in the medical field 13 years with 5 of those being in OB-GYN.  Every womans body is different and many get their periods and ovulation back while exclusively breastfeeding.

therese101 give your body time to heal and enjoy your new baby. You will know when the time is right. :) Just beacuse it took 5 years with your first does not necessarily mean it will take that long for baby #2.

[JoyRenee]

It is possible to not ovulate while exclusively breastfeeding. But I think 99% is inaccurate. I think it's more common and appropriate in 3rd world countries, where the baby is LITERALLY attached to the nipple 24/7. Not saying you're wrong and don't want to make this an issue. I personally use a Natural Family Planning method (I've never used anything beyond condoms for BC) so I understand how you feel about natural spacing.

[rebekah385]

My sister-in-law had three babies back to back all healthy, the first one was 11 1/2 months when she gave birth (4 days late) and the 2nd one was barely 11 months when she had the third one all of her pregnancy were healthy, but i don't think the babies had enough time to be babies and her body still has'nt fully recovered. People do have healthy pregnancys right away, but ti is hard. I have three children 2 years apart each and I love the spacing close enough to be friends far enough to have some time to themselves. Good luck with whatever you decide!

[GRose]

I just read in my mom and baby mag that bf-ing is 98% effective at preventing pg as long as you fit into this criteria...you are doing it exclusively, not going for more than 6 hours w/out a feeding and lastly, have not had AF yet. I fit into all that criteria and I still make it a point to take my mini-pill every day at 10am, anything is possible!

3 years is the recommended age gap for children but ultimately, it's your choice.

My son is 2 1/2 and I have a 7wk old, I think it's a great gap!

[heatherlynn22]

my boys are 5 minutes apart. lol.

it all depends on you really. do you think you can handle 2 babies under 2 (or 3)? i can tell you from experience it is extremely hard and stressful. you should at least wait the recommended 6 weeks to give your body some time to heal.

[Limonada]

I've got to be completely honest here.....I don't understand how you can already be thinking of no. 2 when you've literally just had no. 1!!  I was a mess right after I had DS - crying at the drop of a hat, very emotional. I certainly wasn't thinking about having another baby yet, let alone even having sex with DH! ;-)

It's your choice, whatever you decide.  We waited until DS was 2.5 before TTC again - I'm now 20 weeks pg. with no. 2 - DS will be 3 years 3 months when this baby arrives and that's the perfect gap for us :-))

[LadyM84]

wow it took me 5-6 years to want my no 2 :) but i did suffer post natal depression for about a year i hated being alone all the time as my fiances a chef and works nights my mum helped but had her own life to live i had an amazing friend that would come and keep me company though , i also had a terriable pregnancy i was very young i doubled in size put on 4 stone , my knees and ankles was the same width my pelvis came apart my gums bled and i was sooooo sick for the whole pregnancy right up untill i gave birth so you can understand why it took me so long to get over it lol :) i came of the BC pill in jan 08 finally got pregnant around oct miscarried in dec then got pregnant again in march 09 my son will be 7 by the time my lil man is born and i admit i think thats a bit to much of an age gap and if i am going to have no 3 i will proberly wait about 2-3 years . i think thats a good gap but it does go by so fast so make the most of the early days x take care x