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Born lean
WOMEN WHO get pregnant within six months of giving birth are at higher risk for premature babies, low birth weight and infant death, a new study reports.
While the association has been reported before, the researchers say they were able to establish for the first time that the risk increases even if the first pregnancy was uncomplicated, and regardless of the mother's socio-economic status.
For women who become pregnant six months or less after having a baby, the overall risk of extremely premature babies was twice as high as for other women, and the risk of neonatal death was more than three times as high, said the lead author, Dr. Gordon C.S. Smith of Cambridge University. The study found that five per cent of the 89,000 Scottish women included in the study became pregnant again that quickly.
The rate was higher among teenagers and mothers who were poor.
"For women who are already pregnant with a short interval, we would advise them not to be unduly concerned," Smith said in an e-mail message. "Both extreme `preterm' birth and neonatal death are rare events. The additional absolute risk they face is small, albeit better avoided."
The researchers theorise that when women do not wait long enough before becoming pregnant again, the womb, which adapts to prepare for labour, does not have enough time to return to normal.
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