Tips for avoiding health hazards when the pregnancy is too close

Anyone planning a pregnancy after delivery should observe a safe pregnancy interval. The reason is, the distance between two pregnancies that is too close can pose a danger to the health of the mother and the fetus.

The ideal pregnancy distance

The pregnancy interval is the time span between labor and subsequent pregnancies. In order to determine a safe distance between pregnancies, you need to consider it based on the condition of previous pregnancies.

The time span to the next or next pregnancy will be longer if the first pregnancy is classified as risky. Pregnancy is said to be risky if you have health problems before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and during childbirth. thus this increases the chance of complications.

Not only that, caesarean section also has a role in determining the safe distance between pregnancies. The number of cesarean sections that have been performed and the caesarean section technique used are considered in determining a safe pregnancy distance.

The 18-month pregnancy interval is considered not too close and safe enough, as long as it meets several conditions, namely:

Previous pregnancies were normal
Only once had one cesarean section
Do not have certain risk factors that can cause complications

Conversely, you may need to wait more than 8 months to get pregnant again if:

Have a history of complications during pregnancy
Have had a cesarean section more than once
Have a certain medical history that can affect pregnancy

The danger of pregnancy being too close to the mother and the fetus

Pregnancy that is too close can affect the health of the mother and fetus during pregnancy. The following is a list of complications and health risks to watch out for:

1. For pregnant women

Pregnancy with a distance that is too close will increase the risk of bleeding, miscarriage, and postpartum death. Women who previously had normal pregnancies are not even immune from this risk.

Pregnant women are also at risk placenta previa and / or placenta accreta. Placenta previa is a condition when the placenta is under the uterus and covers the birth canal, meanwhile placenta accreta causes the placenta to grow deep within the uterine wall.

Not only that, other complications can occur in pregnant women who are overweight, diabetes, and other pregnancy risks that have not been corrected. In the case of a pregnancy that is too early after cesarean delivery, the risk of uterine rupture can also increase.

2. For the fetus

Pregnancy that is too close to also pose a danger to the health of the fetus. The main impact of the most worrying is premature birth, because babies born prematurely are more at risk of experiencing death after birth.

In addition, the growth and development of the fetus while in the womb can also be hampered because the mother has difficulty meeting nutritional needs during pregnancy. The impact is the baby's small body size and low birth weight.

What should you do if you are already pregnant?

In some cases, pregnancies that are too close together go unnoticed. You may only become aware of pregnancy when the fetus begins to develop. If so, then the key to the health of the mother and fetus lies in routine checks.

The necessary pregnancy checks are actually no different from ordinary pregnancies, unless there are indications of serious health. For example, pregnant women who are at risk of miscarriage should undergo more intensive examinations in the first trimester.

If there are signs of preterm labor and impaired fetal growth, tests should be done more frequently. Routine checks are the most effective way to detect pregnancy risks and treat them.

If you can control all the risk factors before pregnancy, the dangers associated with pregnancy being too close can be minimized. That way, the pregnancy will proceed normally without serious health problems.

Some pregnant women may worry that they will not be able to give birth normally, but the distance between pregnancies is actually not a determinant for having a cesarean section. You can still give birth normally if your doctor advises you to.

Maintain health if the mother is planning to get pregnant in a short distance

Although not medically recommended, pregnancy at close range is allowed with a number of conditions. For example, in mothers who want to plan a pregnancy after passing the productive age over 35 years.

In such cases, the most important factor for maintaining the health of the mother and the fetus is the period between the first labor and the subsequent pregnancies. This period is a moment for mothers to prepare themselves for pregnancy.

You need to identify in advance the factors that increase the risk of complications in future pregnancies. Here are some things that you need to prioritize from delivery to your next pregnancy:

You won't lose weight quickly after giving birth. If your weight before the first pregnancy was 60 kilograms, then you need to reach the same figure before undergoing further pregnancies.
A history of illness can also be dangerous if the pregnancy is too close. Make sure the levels of blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and other aspects of the body are within normal ranges. Apply a nutritionally balanced diet to maintain it.
Nutritional intake is very important, but avoid overeating. The assumption that you have to eat twice the portion is wrong. You only need to add 200 calories of energy from quality food ingredients.
If you smoke or have a husband who smokes, try breaking this habit. Take advantage of the period between two pregnancies as a golden period to nourish your body before undergoing pregnancy again.

Some pregnant women may need to rest more, especially if pregnant women suffer from certain diseases. However, you do not have to limit your daily activities as long as these activities do not cause health problems during pregnancy.

Also ensure that nutritional needs are met to stimulate milk production. Pregnancy spacing does not actually affect milk production, but pregnancy spacing under 6 months can interfere with breastfeeding for the first child.

The danger of pregnancy being too close apart actually arises from the parents' ignorance of the safe timeframe and how to use the period between pregnancies to control risk factors.

Education before and during pregnancy is very important to overcome this problem. To the extent possible, health workers should ensure that all pregnancy-related information is understood before pregnancy occurs.