Publication:

Inter-pregnancy interval and pregnancy outcome

Background Obstetricians are often presented with questions regarding the optimal Inter-pregnancy interval (IPI), especially by women who had a spontaneous abortion. They often desire to conceive again with minimal delay.

Methods A study was conducted on 252, 2nd gravida women with history of previous spontaneous abortion. Based on their IPI women were divided into 5 groups.

Results Most of the pregnancy complications like threatened miscarriage, premature rupture of membranes (PROM), diabetes, pre-eclampsia, preterm delivery, placental abruption, caesarean section and post-partum hemorrhage (PPH) were maximum in those who conceived after 24 months and least in those who conceived between 6-12 months. But intra uterine growth restriction (IUGR) was more in early conception group. Pregnancy outcome was also good in those who conceived within 6 months.

Conclusions Women who conceive between 6-12 months of an initial miscarriage have better outcomes and lower complication rates in their subsequent pregnancy. Based on the results, we support the recommendation of WHO that after an abortion, women should wait for at least 6 months before becoming pregnant again in order to prevent adverse perinatal and maternal outcomes in the subsequent pregnancy. As the pregnancy outcome is also good in those who conceived within 6 months, women wanting to conceive immediately due to increasing age or anxiety should not be discouraged and allowed to conceive.