How soon can you get pregnant after giving birth? A doctor explains

Having a baby is a momentous event that requires a lot from you, physically and mentally. So it’s unsurprising that birth control slips a lot of people’s minds postpartum. But if you’re not planning on having another baby soon, it’s important to know that it’s possible to get pregnant fairly soon after giving birth. 

Likewise, if you want to have babies close together in age, it’s useful to know when your body might be ready again. Dr. Renita White, obstetrician and gynecologist at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology, Georgia, US, explains the earliest time you can get pregnant postpartum and what you need to know about family planning after birth. 

Key takeaways: How soon can you get pregnant after giving birth? 

• Fertility can return as early as four to six weeks postpartum, even before your first period.
• Breastfeeding impacts ovulation and can stop you from getting pregnant, but it’s not a foolproof method of contraception. It is possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding.
• Doctors recommend waiting about 18 months after birth before trying to conceive again, although this should be balanced with other factors such as your age and if you have a history of pregnancy complications or infertility.
• If you’re not planning another pregnancy right away, postpartum contraception is a must.

How soon can you get pregnant after giving birth?

You might be surprised how soon you can get pregnant after giving birth. “It is possible to resume fertility as soon as four to six weeks after delivery,” explains Dr. White.

Once ovulation (when your ovaries release an egg each month) starts up again, you can get pregnant. But this happens at different times for different people, and it can be affected by factors like breastfeeding (which can delay the return of your cycles, but more on that later). 

As ovulation usually happens two weeks before your period, this means you can get pregnant even if you haven’t had your first postpartum period yet. So if you’re not planning to expand your family right away, it’s important to use an effective method of contraception to avoid pregnancy. Chat with your doctor about whether you would prefer to explore a hormonal or a nonhormonal birth control route, and which option might work best for you.

What risks are associated with getting pregnant too soon after giving birth?

It’s up to you to decide when the right time is to have a baby. There are always various factors to consider that are different from person to person. From a physical perspective, though, even though it’s possible to get pregnant again fairly soon after birth, doctors don’t recommend it. That’s because your body needs time to fully recover from pregnancy and birth.

Research shows that getting pregnant within six months of giving birth can increase the risk of problems such as premature birth, placental abruption (where the placenta peels away from the uterus before delivery), low birth weight, and certain congenital (present at birth) conditions.

Doctors also think that closely spaced pregnancies might not give you long enough to recover from pregnancy. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can lower your levels of certain nutrients, such as folate and iron. So if you become pregnant again before these nutrients have the chance to get topped up, there’s a chance it could impact your health or your baby’s.

That said, these are just possible increased risks — not guaranteed outcomes. So if having another baby quickly feels like the right thing for you and your family, that’s also important. And in this case, it would be a good idea to talk to your doctor about steps you can take to make your next pregnancy as healthy as possible.

How long should you wait to get pregnant after giving birth?

The advice on how long you should wait to get pregnant again can vary depending on how you gave birth. “After a vaginal delivery, it is recommended to wait one year before trying to conceive,” says Dr. White. “After a cesarean delivery (C-section), it's generally recommended to wait 18 months before trying.”

To give your body time to recover and reduce the risk of complications, research shows that waiting 18 to 24 months — but less than five years — after birth before trying for your next pregnancy is a good window. It’s not known exactly why leaving it longer than five years between pregnancies can come with added risk. One line of thinking is that pregnancy has a lasting positive effect on your uterus’s ability to grow and house a baby, but those positive effects wear off over time.

But there’s a balance to be struck. If you’re over 35 and concerned about fertility, waiting less time might be a good option, so chat with your doctor if you want some advice.

Ultimately, deciding when to grow your family is a deeply personal choice. When planning your next pregnancy, it’s important to consider not only health risks but also what feels right for you and your partner. In the meantime, using a reliable form of contraception can help you feel confident and prepared while you decide on the best timing for your family.

Can you get pregnant before your first postpartum period?

In short, yes, you can get pregnant before you have your first period postpartum. “People often assume that it is not possible to get pregnant until your first period returns following delivery of the baby. However, that is not the case,” explains Dr. White.

That’s because getting pregnant relies on the release of an egg, and ovulation happens about two weeks before you get your period. So if a sperm fertilizes your egg once it’s released, you can get pregnant without having had your period.

Birth can mess with your period’s schedule a little. Your periods might look different from how they were before. So keeping tabs on your postpartum periods can help you feel more in control. Flo’s period-tracking app can help take the guesswork out of this process. Download the app now to start logging periods and symptoms, and to start making sense of your cycles again.

Can you get pregnant while you’re breastfeeding?

If you’ve ever heard that getting pregnant is impossible if you’re breastfeeding, that’s not quite true. It is still possible to get pregnant while you’re breastfeeding. But you’re more likely to have a break from your period if you breastfeed exclusively and your baby is under six months old.

“For those breastfeeding exclusively (nursing at least every three hours), the hormones that lead to ovulation [can be] suppressed,” says Dr. White. 

Because of this, breastfeeding can act as a natural form of contraception. Doctors call it the lactational amenorrhea method — but it’s not foolproof. 

“Once the time between breastfeeding sessions spaces out, the menstrual cycle hormones can begin to operate normally again,” explains Dr. White. “At that point, it’s possible to ovulate and get pregnant.” 

If you have a baby who sleeps for large chunks of time throughout the night, you might find that you’re regularly going for long periods without feeding. This can signal to the body to start up your menstrual cycle again. 

So if you’re breastfeeding and not planning on another baby right away, another form of contraception is a good idea. It’s especially important if:

• Your baby is more than six months old.
• You start to breastfeed less often — or there are longer intervals between feeds.
• You give them anything else apart from breast milk, such as formula or solid foods.
• Your periods start again (even light spotting counts).
• You stop night feeding.

Allow your body to rest and recuperate after birth

Your body undergoes incredible changes during pregnancy and childbirth. Allowing time for recovery is helpful for your own health, as well as supporting another pregnancy if that’s what you’re planning. But also weigh up what’s right for you and your family when deciding if and when to have another baby.

If you’re unsure about family planning or when to try for your next pregnancy, schedule an appointment with your doctor to figure out your next steps.