Rapid Repeat Pregnancy

See Replacement Pregnancies/Rapid Repeat Pregnancies After Abortion

A number of studies have found abortion to be associated with rapid repeat pregnancy, women becoming pregnant within a year, often to replace the aborted child with a new child. This may be an underlying factor in higher rates of premature delivery following a rapid repeat pregnancy as indicated in Preterm Birth: Causes, Consequences, and Prevention (2007) Board on Health Sciences Policy (HSP)

Short Interpregnancy Interval and Preterm Birth

Interpregnancy interval is defined as that interval between the termination of one pregnancy and the conception of another. Numerous investigators have found a univariate association between short interpregnancy interval and a number of adverse perinatal outcomes, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth (Adams et al., 1997; Al-Jasmi et al., 2002; Basso et al., 1998; Blackmore-Prince et al., 2000; Brody and Bracken, 1987; Conde-Agudelo et al., 2005; Dafopoulos et al., 2002; Ekwo and Moawad, 1998; Erickson and Bjerkedal, 1978; Ferraz et al., 1988; Fuentes-Afflick and Hessol, 2000; Hsieh et al., 2005; Kallan, 1992, 1997; Klebanoff, 1988; Lang et al., 1990; Miller, 1994; Rawlings et al., 1995; Shults et al., 1999; Smith et al., 2003; Zhu and Le, 2003; Zhu et al., 2001). These published reports did not distinguish spontaneous from indicated preterm birth, however. The definition of short interpregnancy interval varies widely across studies; the most common definition is less than or equal to 6 months.

Contraceptive discontinuation and repeat unintended pregnancy within 1 year after an abortion. Upadhyay UD, Brown BA, Sokoloff A, Raine TR.Contraception. 2012 Jan;85(1):56-62. doi: 10.1016/j.contraception.2011.05.009. Epub 2011 Jun 30.

Women who had a recent abortion or previous abortion were 60% more likely to have another pregnancy during the next 12 months than women who never had an abortion (AHR=1.63, 95% CI =1.21-2.20, and AHR=1.66, 95% CI=1.18-2.33, respectively).

"Conception rates after abortion with methotrexate and misoprostol," MD Creinin, Int'l J Gynaecol Obstet 65: 183-188, 1999.

25% of women who had abortions using methotrexate and misoprostol became pregnant again within the next 12 months. The vast majority of these pregnancies resulted in another induced abortion.

See more here

Söderberg H. Urban Women applying for induced abortion. Studies of epidemiology, attitudes, and emotional reactions. Malmö, 1998. Doctoral Disseration. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Community Medicine, Lund University, University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.

• 18.9 percent of the 1,277 women who had abortions (n=242) became pregnant again within 12 months of their abortions. Of the total, 431 (33.5%) refused to participate in the followup interviews. Those who refused were significantly more likely to carry a rapid repeat pregnancy to term. Of participants, 17% became pregnant within 12 months of whom,66 (45%) carried the replacement pregnancy to term and 80 (55%) had another abortion. Of those who chose not to participate, 22% became pregnant again, of whom 52 (54%) carried to term and 44 (46%) had another abortion.(p 24)

Replacement Pregnancies

Examples

I had an abortion a year ago .I hardly knew the father of my baby .When I told him I was pregnant the first thing he said was “you know you’re not keeping it right”.I hid the pregancy from my family until I was about 15 weeks along.I was afraid to tell my mom because she suffers from diabetes and was very ill at the time.I finally told my mom ,who was completely shocked and had a mild stroke a few days later .My parents did not want me to keep the baby ,even my friends felt it was best to abort the baby. I felt so alone,all I needed was for just one person to be happy about my pregnancy. I agreed to the abortion because I felt guilty,I knew I was the cause of my mother’s stroke and I just wanted her to get well again.I hate the father of my baby , I know it’s wrong but I hate him ,I hate myself too.The worst part is that my older sister fell pregnant a few months later,she named her baby Kevin (the name i wanted to give to my unborn baby) maybe God is trying to tell me something. I know it doesnt make sense but if I were to fall pregnant again I would want the same guy to impregnate me, I want the baby that I lost back. -- Comment at Are You Suffering from Post-Abortion Stress?