What's the best amount of time between pregnancies?

For most people, it's best to wait 18 to 24 months but less than five years after a live birth before getting pregnant again. This lowers the risk of health problems.

For some people, the best pregnancy timing may be different, including those who:

• Are older than 35.
• Used in vitro fertilization for an earlier pregnancy.
• Had preterm labor during an earlier pregnancy.
• Have had preeclampsia.
• Have had a pregnancy loss at or after 20 weeks, called a stillbirth.
• Have had a C-section.

If one of those applies to you, talk with your healthcare professional about the right pregnancy timing for your situation.

Also, these risks and recommendations typically don't apply to people who have had a miscarriage, which is the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks. If you're healthy and feel ready, there's no need to wait to get pregnant after one miscarriage. If you've had two or more miscarriages in a row, talk to your healthcare professional before trying to get pregnant again.

Choosing when to have a baby is a personal decision. When planning your next pregnancy, there's a lot that you might want to think about along with the possible health effects. As you decide on the timing of another pregnancy, use a reliable form of birth control.

And keep in mind that there's no perfect time to have another baby. Even with careful planning, you can't always control when a pregnancy happens. But knowing about your choices for birth control and understanding the possible risks linked to the timing of pregnancies can help you make an informed decision about growing your family.