Bounty

Women who conceive again within six months of having a miscarriage have the best chances of having a healthy pregnancy, new research has revealed.

Those who conceive again within six months have the least complications during their pregnancy, and are also far less likely to have another miscarriage.

The findings of the study were published despite many NHS doctors currently advising women to wait at least three months, while the World Health Organisation says women should wait six months.

A team, led by experts at the University of Aberdeen and published online in the British Medical Journal, analysed data for almost 31,000 women who had miscarried and fallen pregnant again.

Those who conceived within six months were 44% less likely to have another miscarriage, and they were 10% less likely to need a Caesarean or to have a premature baby.

They were 16% less likely to have a low birthweight baby, compared with those who fell pregnant six to 12 months after a miscarriage, and were 52% less likely to have an ectopic pregnancy. They were also 8% more likely to be induced.

Mervi Jokinen, practice and standards development adviser at the Royal College of Midwives, said: "This survey's findings may be relevant to women in the UK, where there are an increasing number of older first-time mothers, who may not be able to leave a longer gap before trying for a baby again."

Copyright Press Association 2010