Is it ok to get pregnant 6 months after giving birth

How long should you wait between births? A new report says many women don't wait long enough.

Health experts advise women to wait at least 18 months between pregnancies.

My baby is 9 months and i'm pregnant again

But research by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that nearly 30 percent of women who've given birth were pregnant again within 18 months.

The report is based on 2011 birth certificates in 36 states, including Utah, and the District of Columbia, representing about 83 percent of births in the U.S.

that year. Around 31 percent of Utah moms, just slightly higher than the national average, don't wait the recommended time to get pregnant again.

"Waiting 18 months before you get pregnant again allows time for your body to heal and reduces your risk of pregnancy complications," says Erin Clark, MD, an OB/GYN at University of Utah Health.

Age and a history of infertility are also critical factors women should consider when deciding how long to wait to have another baby.

Clark says shorter birth intervals increase the risk

how long should a woman wait between pregnancies

how long to wait between pregnancies