Experts advise how long new mums over 35 should wait before falling pregnant again

PLEASE NOTE: This article is not intended to scare. Our intention is to inform mums about information that is already out there. 

Whether you have a ten year gap or a three year gap between your kids, there’s no right or wrong answer. The way we see it is, every baby – however they enter the world – is a blessing.

However, researchers are encouraging women over the age of 35 to wait a year in between pregnancies to reduce the risk of complications.

Researchers encouraging women over 35 to wait a year between pregnancies

In a study by the University of British Columbia (UBC) and the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, experts looked into nearly 150,000 births in Canada.

They found that new mums over the age of 35 who became pregnant less than a year after giving birth could increase their chances of complications as well as their unborn baby’s.

Waiting 18 months between pregnancies, however, reduced the risks.

Laura Schummers, a post-doctoral fellow at the University of British Columbia, said: “Our study found increased risks to both mother and infant when pregnancies are closely spaced, including for women older than 35.

“The findings for older women are particularly important, as older women tend to more closely space their pregnancies and often do so intentionally.”

Senior author Dr Wendy Norman, UBC associate professor, said: “Achieving that optimal one-year interval should be doable for many women, and is clearly worthwhile to reduce complication risks.”

11 reasons it’s good to have a big age gap between kids

10 reasons it’s great to have your kids close together

Mums spend this amount of time worrying about these things each day

Did you know our Healthy Mummy Pregnancy Smoothie is jam-packed with vitamins and minerals?

The Healthy Mummy Pregnancy Smoothie offers an excellent source of essential vitamins, minerals, nutrients & important antioxidants. It does not contain any weight loss accelerants, caffeine, no gluten and is dairy free.

Pregnant women need additional calories and nutrients in pregnancy and our Pregnancy Smoothie and Eating & Exercise Book have been specially formulated to help women reach these additional calorie and nutrient needs.

The Healthy Mummy Pregnancy Smoothie is designed to complement, not replace, your prenatal vitamin intake. Our nutritionists ensured that the vitamins and minerals in the smoothie are at a low level so there is no risk of doubling up on any pregnancy vitamins.

It is ideal as a high-protein, high-calcium snack in pregnancy. You can download the Pregnancy Smoothie Label here

Purchase yours here.