How Long Should You Wait Between Pregnancies?

[expert on call]

Are there any studies done on a possible link of preeclampsia with the exact time frame one should wait from the first pregnancy up to the second one? For example, waiting 1 year, 2 years, etc after having had severe preeclampsia with the first pregnancy?

[expert on call]

There are no clear data. In general, I recommend that my patients wait a year or two. This allows for time for blood vessels to heal. I like to see all of their proteinuria resolve. If it does not, there are BP drugs that can help however that is controversial and some doctors will not recommend that.

In the case of a woman of "advanced maternal age" (technically defined as over 35)--she may not wish to wait this long--however I still would recommend she wait until her proteinuria has fully resolved before trying again.

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