A review of evidence submitted at a technical consultation by USAID to a WHO technical panel led to the panel’s conclusion that short pregnancy intervals following a live birth were associated with adverse maternal outcomes – specifically, maternal mortality, induced abortion, still births and miscarriages and adverse perinatal outcomes-specifically, preterm birth, small for gestational age and low birth weight.
For the past decade, the WHO has upheld three evidence-based recommendations related to healthy timing and spacing of pregnancy (HTSP): (1) After a live birth, wait at least 24 months before attempting the next pregnancy to reduce health risks for the mother and the baby
(2) After a miscarriage or induced abortion wait at least 6 months before attempting the next pregnancy to reduce health risks for the mother and baby. (3) Women should delay their first pregnancy until at least age 18.
This article focuses on the first recommendation related to postpartum family planning – i.e., pregnancy spacing after a live birth.