Women can safely conceive within three months of a miscarriage, according to Australian researchers whose study challenges international guidance to wait at least six months to avoid perinatal complications. 

The findings, based on data from nearly 73,000 births, suggest the longer interpregnancy interval is unnecessary and does not reduce the risk of preterm birth, small for gestational age (SGA), or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). 

Instead, women who became pregnant again less than three months after a miscarriage had an 11-15% lower risk of SGA birth and GDM compared to those who wait 6-11 months. 

And for those who conceived 3-5 months after an induced abortion, there was a 16% reduced likelihood of large for gestational age (LGA) birth.