quick question about pregnancy spacing

[Tinuviel]

Hello! I'm a traditional Catholic student at an evangelical school (moderately long story). Naturally, the topic of birth control comes up sometimes. One of my roommates is a nominal Catholic and the other is Presbyterian. We've had some good discussion on the topic of birth control, sexual ethics, etc.

 

One thing that my friends tend to bring up is the questions of a woman's health and spacing births. They keep asking if having children relatively close together is bad for the mother, and some have said that woman should really wait two years between pregnancies.

 

Considering the fact that I'm the youngest in my family, I'm unmarried, and have never been pregnant, I can't really answer the question. But I know there are some ladies here with very large families, so I just wondered what you all knew on the subject. Thanks!

[DominusTecum]

[CaroleK]

The only thing I know for sure is that this topic often gets ugly and  that no concensus is ever really reached.  My suggestion is that  anyone who i in a position to need these questions answered should seek  the counsel of a trusted, orthodox priest.
 
  And Eric ... pass the popcorn.
 
 

[JLeigh]

 

Hello! I'm a traditional Catholic student at an evangelical school (moderately long story). Naturally, the topic of birth control comes up sometimes. One of my roommates is a nominal Catholic and the other is Presbyterian. We've had some good discussion on the topic of birth control, sexual ethics, etc.

 

One thing that my friends tend to bring up is the questions of a woman's health and spacing births. They keep asking if having children relatively close together is bad for the mother, and some have said that woman should really wait two years between pregnancies.

 

Considering the fact that I'm the youngest in my family, I'm unmarried, and have never been pregnant, I can't really answer the question. But I know there are some ladies here with very large families, so I just wondered what you all knew on the subject. Thanks!

Welcome to the forum!

 

You'll find that this topic gets pretty heated around here, but to give you an idea on what some of us here think of spacing, you can read this thread.

 

*Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out* ;)

[AdoramusTeChriste]

One thing that my friends tend to bring up is the questions of a woman's health and spacing births. They keep asking if having children relatively close together is bad for the mother, and some have said that woman should really wait two years between pregnancies.

 

If your friends are interested in rule by exception, then they will shoot down whatever opinion we who have large families might offer. It might be better to ask them why they think that pregnancy and childbirth are such burdens on women and see where that goes.

 

But, to answer your questions:

 

No, it is not bad for a healthy mother to have close pregnancies. Some women are at their healthiest during pregnancy. I think I was one of those, especially the first time.

 

I have never heard of the *wait two years* thing and I have 8 kids.

 

The spacing between my kids is 3 yrs, 17 mo, 3 yrs, 2 yrs, 7 yrs, 2 yrs, and 2-1/2 yrs. I had a couple of miscarriages before and after the last pregnancy. I don't use contraception or NFP. I breastfed all 8 for as long as they needed to nurse which varied between 9 months and 2 years + a month or so. My "close" pregnancies were, predictably, when my second child decided to suck her thumb.   

[Tinuviel]

haha sorry all, I didn't mean to introduce such a popcorn-worthy topic. Just a general question really. Thanks for the replies.

[books59b]

well I only have two and am lucky to have them. Normally, from a biological standpoint, the body does welcome pregnancy, in most women. It's thought to be quite easy to get pregnant again after having a baby, in most women. Many medical person will tell you a 18mo-2 yr spacing to be the best for both mom and baby. "IN MOST WOMEN"

 

Doesn't happen with all...mine are 7yrs

[maryskey]

If you leave the decision on child-spacing up to God, the how can anything be BAD? God allows us suffering to endure for our own benefit. Some will call having many children close together, suffering, either mentally or physically, or both.

*pass the popcorn , and throw in a beer .. to help with nursing, of course! *

[Mommie2Boys]

I believe alot depends on each person and their individual circumstances. Birth control itself, is never allowed. Abstinence and NFP--consult a trusted priest or sanctioned books. And btw, Welcome!

[Jeannette]

Oh my goodness, Dominus Tecum, your (simply stated) little popcorn eating icon post made me laugh so hard!!! Thanks! ....now, to read the rest of the responses to the original post)..........being knew to this forum, I'm just learning the way things work around here......this is great.