Whether you’re looking to have another baby—or want to actively avoid getting pregnant—you might be wondering just how soon after giving birth you can get pregnant again. In theory, it’s possible to get pregnant very soon postpartum. How long you should actually wait is, of course, a very personal decision. So how soon can you get pregnant after childbirth? The experts break it down, below.
In this article: How soon after birth can you get pregnant? Can you get pregnant before your first postpartum period? Can you get pregnant while breastfeeding? How long should you wait before getting pregnant again?
How Soon After Birth Can You Get Pregnant?
After birth, it’s possible to get pregnant again within the first three months postpartum, says Alex Robles , MD, a reproductive endocrinologist at Columbia University Fertility Center. You can get pregnant within this timeframe even if you’re breastfeeding or haven’t had your first postpartum period yet.
Factors like your breastfeeding schedule, age and fertility history all play a role—but it’s also a personal choice. “There’s no one right or wrong answer, and much of it depends on a person’s family-size goals,” says Kyle Graham , MD, a board-certified ob-gyn at Pediatrix Medical Group in San Jose, California.
Can You Get Pregnant Before Your First Postpartum Period?
Yes! Even if your period hasn’t returned yet, you can still get pregnant. Here’s why: Ovulation —aka when your ovaries release an egg and fertility is at its highest peak—typically occurs 14 days before the start of every menstrual cycle. So if you have sex during that time frame, you can definitely get pregnant before your period even comes back. “It’s not common, but absolutely possible—in fact, there are cases of women who ovulate and get pregnant within six weeks after delivery, which is before their postpartum checkup visit with their doctor,” says Graham.
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Can You Get Pregnant While Breastfeeding?
You can absolutely get pregnant while breastfeeding , but some factors may inhibit fertility. Some women won’t get a period for a while because of the hormonal changes with breastfeeding. “Sometimes this works as contraception but it’s not foolproof,” notes Graham, adding that since you can ovulate while breastfeeding (even if it’s irregular), you can still get pregnant.
Breastfeeding stimulates the production of the hormone prolactin, which can suppress fertility. “High prolactin can inhibit the hormone responsible for stimulating the pituitary gland to induce ovulation and menstrual cycles,” says Robles. Sometimes, this works as a form of contraception, but it’s best not to rely on it fully.
“A change in how you breastfeed can affect whether you get pregnant or not—if you breastfeed less frequently or your supply of breastmilk decreases or changes, then that might lead your body to allow for ovulation again,” says Graham.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that meeting all of these three conditions will typically suppress the ability to get pregnant again postpartum:
- You haven’t had a postpartum period yet
- You’re fully or nearly fully breastfeeding
- You delivered baby less than six months ago
How Long Should You Wait Before Getting Pregnant Again?
Again, when you’d like to get pregnant after giving birth is a very personal decision. Experts recommend waiting nine to 12 months before trying to get pregnant again, says Robles. Essentially, the goal is to have at least an 18-month age gap between babies.
Why? Well, pregnancy and birth are big jobs, and the uterus needs time to heal. Getting pregnant again before your body is physically ready can increase adverse outcomes such as preterm birth, placental abruption, low birthweight, autism, congenital disabilities and maternal anemia.
It’s entirely possible to get pregnant within the first three months after giving birth. But no matter when you decide to take the leap again, it’s important to make sure you’re both physically and mentally ready—and discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider.
