How much space is considered 'adequate' between subsequent births?

   A common question asked most times is, “how much gap is good between one birth aπδ the subsequent pregnancy?”. A published study in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that the best outcomes for both mother and baby is seen when there is a gap of 18 – 23months from birth to subsequent pregnancy.
Pregnancy spacing doesn’t just affect the age difference but "too long" or "too short" spacing has enormous effect on the child’s health and that of the mother’s.

Possible outcomes of short birth spacing:
-Low birth weight: Babies given birth to usually have weights less than 2.5kg
-Preterm birth: This is when the baby is born before 37th week of pregnancy. Possible problems associated with preterm birth include increased risk of infections, breathing problems e.t.c.
-Small for gestational age: Baby is small in size for the expected weight.
 -Uterine rupture: A tear through the uterus especially when trying to deliver a baby through the vagina after a previous caesarean section can occur.
-Mental health issues: Mother’s are prone to having post-partum depression probably due to stress.
-A study done in 2011, also suggested a link between pregnancy intervals of less than 12months and autism in second – born children

Possible outcomes of long birth spacing:
-    Research suggests that a gap of 5yrs or more after giving birth poses concern for mothers and babies because it can be associated with increased risk of
-Slow or difficult labor or delivery
-Low birth weight
-Small gestational age