• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Book An Appointment
  • Patient Resources
  • Shop The Market
  • Careers

The Midwives Of New Jersey

Serving Women, Honoring Birth

  • About Us
    • Our Midwives
      • Lisa Lederer, CNM
      • Rushea Dawes-Moore, CNM
      • Jacqueline Candido, CNM, WHNP
      • Sarah Colbath, CNM
      • Yenniffer Moreno, CM
      • Susanna Mathew, CNM
    • Midwife Assistants & Doulas
      • Donna Scales
      • Ashley Cuccaro
      • Malia Englehardt CD (DONA) 
      • Rebecca Stein, MPA, LCCE
      • Heather Jorgensen
      • Rebekah (Reba) Kadamus
    • Our Childbirth Educators
      • Britt Sando, CD (DONA), LCCE, IBCLC
      • Rebecca Stein, MPA, LCCE
      • Donna Scales
    • Our Nurses
      • Grace Rodgers, RN
      • Erin Elsaesser, RN
      • Marian Schlauch, RN
    • Our Management Team
      • Lisa Lederer, President
      • Christina Garlewicz, Director of Operations
    • Our Philosophy
    • Birth Statistics
    • Testimonials
    • Videos
    • Ask The Midwives (FAQ)
  • Services
    • Waterbirth
    • Hospital Birth
    • Homebirth
    • Birth Center
    • Labor Support
    • VBAC
    • Postpartum Support
    • Lactation Counseling
    • Well-Woman Care Services
    • Chiropractic
    • Massage Therapy for Women
  • Programs
    • Childbirth Class
    • Breastfeeding Class
    • BabyCare Class
    • MotherCare Class
    • Homebirth Class
    • Lactation Circle
    • Playgroup
  • Remedies
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Search
  • About Us
    • Our Midwives
      • Lisa Lederer, CNM
      • Rushea Dawes-Moore, CNM
      • Jacqueline Candido, CNM, WHNP
      • Sarah Colbath, CNM
      • Yenniffer Moreno, CM
      • Susanna Mathew, CNM
    • Midwife Assistants & Doulas
      • Donna Scales
      • Ashley Cuccaro
      • Malia Englehardt CD (DONA) 
      • Rebecca Stein, MPA, LCCE
      • Heather Jorgensen
      • Rebekah (Reba) Kadamus
    • Our Childbirth Educators
      • Britt Sando, CD (DONA), LCCE, IBCLC
      • Rebecca Stein, MPA, LCCE
      • Donna Scales
    • Our Nurses
      • Grace Rodgers, RN
      • Erin Elsaesser, RN
      • Marian Schlauch, RN
    • Our Management Team
      • Lisa Lederer, President
      • Christina Garlewicz, Director of Operations
    • Our Philosophy
    • Birth Statistics
    • Testimonials
    • Videos
    • Ask The Midwives (FAQ)
  • Services
    • Waterbirth
    • Hospital Birth
    • Homebirth
    • Birth Center
    • Labor Support
    • VBAC
    • Postpartum Support
    • Lactation Counseling
    • Well-Woman Care Services
    • Chiropractic
    • Massage Therapy for Women
  • Programs
    • Childbirth Class
    • Breastfeeding Class
    • BabyCare Class
    • MotherCare Class
    • Homebirth Class
    • Lactation Circle
    • Playgroup
  • Remedies
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Search
Home » Blog » Is it time for another baby? Consider these 10 Things when Making your Decision
Nine-month-old-baby-girl-with-her-mother

Is it time for another baby? Consider these 10 Things when Making your Decision

May 15, 2022 //  by Midwives Of New Jersey//  Leave a Comment

FacebookTweetPinLinkedInShares29

How do You Decide When to Have Another Baby?

Of course, the first baby is the most momentous decision but if you already have children and think you are ready for another baby, there are a few things to consider.

The personal decision about child spacing is influenced by many things including:

  • Your own life experiences
  • Family dynamics
  • Your relationship with your partner
  • Your finances and your fertility

Here are 10 Things to Consider if You are Deciding About Expanding Your Family:

  1. Birth has better outcomes when spaced.  Both moms and babies do better when there is at least one to two years age gap after the delivery of one child until the conception of the next pregnancy.  According to several studies, it is best to wait between 18 months to 23 months after the birth of your last child before conceiving again. A short pregnancy interval raises the risk for premature birth for all women, and increases risk for poor maternal outcomes.
  2. Wait until your body has healed. Your cervix takes time to heal well. Many times, a postpartum person needs to lose weight, pull their abdominal muscles together, and /or improve vaginal tone.
  3. Improve your health to improve pregnancy and birth outcomes. Starting a better diet, regular exercise and certain supplements can decrease your risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid issues and more.
  4. If you had IVF. If you required IVF for conception, you have some control over the timing of your next baby but keep in mind the lead time needed for IVF. Occasionally, a client will conceive spontaneously after IVF but a healthy space between children is recommended so even if you have never conceived spontaneously before. You should use some birth control at least until the baby is 1 year old.
  5. If you are breastfeeding. Conception is often delayed by breastfeeding but not always! Many women can say they have not had a period for years, going from pregnancy to breastfeeding to pregnancy.  Remember, in ovulation, the egg comes before the menstrual period so conception CAN occur without having a period after giving birth. A certain number of people will not ovulate when breastfeeding. If you are 1 year postpartum and have not started cycling yet, you might not conceive when you are ready. Consider weaning the baby until you have a menstrual cycle again.
  6. If you are older. Women starting their families in their late 30’s may feel hurried to have their children asap. Remember that a pregnancy space of at least one year dramatically improves outcomes especially in older women (source).
  7. If your child has special needs. When coping with a special needs child, it is tempting to put all of your time and energy into that child and space children far apart.  Consider the benefits all children enjoy from having a brother or sister.
  8. Once you are more physically fit. Of course, we all agree that improving your health improves your chances of getting pregnant but it is also a big benefit in labor, giving you the strength and endurance needed to deliver your baby.  And being physically fit also comes in handy when you’re chasing a toddler around!
  9. Benefits of closer and further spacing.  Some want to have their children close in age so they can jump right into “baby” life and not come up until they have had their whole family. For families who space their children 1-2 years apart, life will be a bit insane for a while but in the long term the kids grow up together and the family moves into the next phase of life all together.  Others opt for a larger age gap so they have ample time to enjoy each baby.  This allows the older child plenty of time with parents prior to having a sibling come along.  Older kids also have an easier time understanding that they’ll be a big brother or sister soon. Ask some of your mom friends with first-hand experience about different spacing arrangements and sibling relationship dynamics.
  10. Talk to your provider.  No matter when you decide to have your next baby, it’s a good idea to make some time to talk with your birth provider. They’ll be able to give you helpful advice and support you and your expanding family.

The decision to have another child is a big one. We hope that these considerations will help as you make your decision.

 

 

FacebookTweetPinLinkedInShares29

Category: Mom & Babycare, Pregnancy & Birth

Related Posts

  • woman in labor at home with her midwife
    Congratulations Christina on the Birth of Baby Elliot!
  • Why Try VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Section)?
  • Baby Knows Best When Choosing Birth Day
  • Baby Safely Delivered in Morristown Medical Center Parking Lot
  • A Client's Pregnancy and Birth Video
  • How Your Baby Can Benefit from a Gentle Birth - Seminar
Previous Post: «Beautiful day bed at the Midwives of New Jersey Office 3 Ways We’ve Made Gynecologic Care More Holistic
Next Post: Women of Earth, Take Back Your Rights in Childbirth! ob standing over frightened laboring woman in hospital»

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

Mount Olive

125 U.S. 46 Suite 3
Budd Lake 07828
Phone: (908) 509-1801

More About Our Mount Olive Location

Madison

250 A Main St
Madison 07940
Phone: 973-264-4307

(located in Hollenbach Family Chiropractic)
More About Our Madison Location

Hoboken

51 Newark Street Suite 205
Hoboken 07030
Phone: (201) 499-7119

More About Our Hoboken Location

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Locations
  • Contact

Copyright © 2010–2022 The Midwives Of New Jersey · All Rights Reserved · Powered by Heritage Marketing Group

Close Popup

Midwives of New Jersey Practice Orientation with Expectant Parents

Midwives of New Jersey Orientation

Join the Midwives of New Jersey for an informative time of conversation, Q&A, and a tour of our office.

Learn More

We have a few openings left for 2022/2023! Be sure to sign up for an orientation!

Visit Orientation