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Two babies 1 year apart
Before contraception, pregnancies were linked according to Mother Nature’s goodwill, and in 20% of cases, baby n ° 2 was pointing the tip of his nose the year after the birth of the oldest child. Nowadays, couples who opt for a reduced gap very often do so to promote bonding between brothers and sisters. It is true that when they grow up, two very close children evolve more like twins and share many things (activities, friends, clothes, etc.). Until then … when the new baby arrives, the largest is far from being autonomous and that requires investment and availability at all times. Other women quickly start a second pregnancy, pressed by the famous biological clock. Even if we are still very young at 35, our egg reserve is starting to decrease. So, if you started late for the first one, it is better not to wait too long to conceive the second baby.
Downside : when the mother has two pregnancies in a row, her body has not always had the necessary time to get back into shape. Some still have a few extra pounds … more difficult to lose afterwards. Others have not replenished their iron stock. As a result, greater fatigue, or even a slightly higher risk of anemia.
ADVICE ++
If your first pregnancy was accompanied by high blood pressure or diabetes, it is best to wait until the balance sheet has returned to normal before expanding the family. Same advice for those who have given birth by cesarean section, because pregnancy and childbirth too close together can weaken the uterine scar. This is why the College of French Obstetrician Gynecologists (CNGOF) advises against being pregnant less than a year to a year and a half after a cesarean section.
AND ON THE BABY’S SIDE?
A study in the United States pointed to a higher risk of prematurity when the second child follows the first too closely: the rate of premature births (before 37 weeks of amenorrhea) was almost three times higher among babies. whose mother had two pregnancies within a year of each other. To qualify because “these studies carried out across the Atlantic are not necessarily transposable in France”, underlines Professor Philippe Deruelle
“I wanted a second baby very quickly”
My first pregnancy and childbirth, I don’t really keep a good memory of it… But when I had Margot in my arms, it was a dream that came true and it is to not get out of those moments. rich in emotion that I wanted a second baby very quickly. I also didn’t want my daughter to be raised alone. Five months later, I was pregnant. My second pregnancy was exhausting. At the time, my husband was in the military. He had to go abroad from the 4th to the 8th month of pregnancy. Not easy every day! The little third arrived “by surprise”, 17 months after the second. This pregnancy went smoothly. But on the “relational” side, it was not easy. With three small children, I often felt left out. Difficult to go to dinner with friends or to have a romantic restaurant … With the arrival of the youngest, the “big” are independent and suddenly, I make the most of my baby. It is a real happiness! ”
HORTENSE, mother of Margot, 11 1/2 years old, Garance, 10 1/2 years old, Victoire, 9 years old, and Isaure, 4 years old.
Between 18 and 23 months
If you choose to wait between 18 and 23 months before getting pregnant again, you are right in the right range! It is in any case the ideal period of time to avoid prematurity, low weight and miscarriage *. The body has recovered well and still benefits from the protection acquired during the first pregnancy. This is no longer the case at all when the gap exceeds five years (59 months to be precise). On the other hand, another study would show that waiting 27 to 32 months would reduce the risk of bleeding in the 3rd trimester and urinary tract infection. On the practical side, you can pass on the clothes and toys from the first to the second, and even if children take a few years to share the same activities, the oldest is often proud to serve as a guide for his little brother or sister. Suddenly, it relieves the parents a little! * International study involving 11 million pregnant women.
And for the health of the baby, is it better a big gap?
Apparently not. Studies have shown more intrauterine growth retardation, low birth weight and prematurity beyond 5 years. Finally, each situation has its advantages and disadvantages. It’s up to you to choose according to your desire. What matters is to welcome this new baby in the best conditions, with a good follow-up throughout the pregnancy and full of happiness in mind!
In video: Close pregnancy: what are the risks?
A second baby 5 years or more after the first
Sometimes it’s the big gap between the first two pregnancies. Some families plunge back five or even ten years later. It keeps parents in good shape! There is no question of dragging your feet to carry the bike or the scooter when returning from the park! Nor to refuse a game of football or beach volleyball on the beach when you would take a nap on your towel. This pregnancy arrived late after the first, it restores vitality and tone! And as we went through all the situations with the big one, for the second, we let go of the ballast and we are less stressed. There is also an advantage: you can really enjoy each child as if they were an only child, and arguments between them are rare.
On the other hand, in terms of form, we are sometimes more tired than we were for the eldest: get up every three or four hours, carry the folding bed and the bags of diapers, not to mention the teeth that pierce … is not easy with a few more wrinkles. Without forgetting that the rhythm of life to which we had become accustomed is all turned upside down! In short, nothing is ever perfect!
“This important gap between my two children was really desired and planned by our couple. I had a slightly complicated first pregnancy at the end, with a cesarean delivery. But once reassured about the state of health of my baby, I had only one desire: to make the most of her during the first years. What I have done. I have a coworker who has close children, and frankly, I didn’t envy her at all. After nine years, as I was about to be 35, I thought the time had come to expand the family and had my contraceptive implant removed. This second pregnancy went well overall, but towards the end, I was placed under extra surveillance to check that my baby was growing well. I had a cesarean as the first, because the cervix did not open. Today everything is going very well with my baby. I am much less stressed than with the first one. For my oldest, I easily panicked if something was “wrong”. There, I remain zen. Greater maturity, no doubt! And then, my oldest daughter is delighted to be able to cuddle her little sister. I am convinced, despite the age difference, that they will have great moments of bonding in the next few years. ”
DELPHINE, mother of Océane, 12 years old, and Léa, 3 months old.
According to the latest figures from INSEE in France, the average interval between the 1st and the 2nd baby is 3,9 years and 4,3 years between the 2nd and 3rd child.