Women who have brief intervals of less nearly less than 18 months between pregnancies, have more chances of reduction in the length of  subsequent pregnancies, a new study shows. 

For the study, the researchers examined 454,716 live births among women with two or more pregnancies over a six-year period. Researchers concentrated on "determining the influence of inadequate birth spacing on the duration of the subsequent pregnancy. "

The findings revealed that short intervals between pregnancies lead to decreased pregnancy length overall. They also said that women should be counseled on the importance of optimal birth space, especially for reducing preterm birth rates. 

"Short interpregnancy interval is a known risk factor for preterm birth, however, this new research shows that inadequate birth spacing is associated with shorter overall pregnancy duration," said Emily DeFranco, Assistant Professor of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in Ohio and the Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, and co-author of the study, in a press release.

"This study has potential clinical impact on reducing the overall rate of preterm birth across the world through counseling women on the importance of adequate birth spacing, especially focusing on women know to be at inherently high risk for preterm birth."

A recent study on pregnancy showed that taking anti-psychotic drugs during pregnancy increases the risk of premature delivery, respiratory problems and withdrawal symptoms in babies. Researchers, however, stated that low doses of anti-psychotic drugs do not cause harm to the babies but large doses of the drugs affect significantly.

The study has been published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.