Healthy Timing and Spacing of Pregnancies

From the introduction:

"This Pocket Guide provides an overview for health practitioners and program managers about healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies (HTSP). It discusses key findings from global research on the link between pregnancy spacing and maternal and newborn health outcomes. It also highlights the benefits of timing and spacing pregnancies, shares HTSP messages for educating women, men, and communities, and identifies windows of opportunity for HTSP counseling.

Evidence shows that HTSP has potential as an effective intervention that can help women achieve healthy pregnancies and deliveries. Becoming pregnant too soon after a previous birth, miscarriage, or abortion places mothers and newborns at a higher risk of health complications— or even death. When women younger than 18 years old become pregnant, the mothers and their newborns face increased risks of health complications compared to women 20-24 years old. In some populations, infants and children born after short birth intervals also face a relatively high risk of stunting and being underweight during the first five years of life.

In 2006, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a policy brief recommending:
After a live birth, the recommended interval before attempting the next pregnancy is at least 24 months in order to reduce the risk of adverse maternal, perinatal, and infant outcomes.
After a miscarriage or induced abortion, the recommended interval to the next pregnancy should be at least six months in order to reduce risks of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes."

Contents

1. Introduction to the Pocket Guide
2. HTSP and Health Outcomes
3. HTSP Benefits
4. Windows of Opportunity for HTSP Education and Counseling
5. References
6. What is Extending Service Delivery Project (ESD)?