Rapid Repeat Pregnancy

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).