The New Math on When to Have Kids.

Examines health studies recommending women space out their childbirths for maximum health benefits. Results of studies indicating children born three to five years apart may offer certain health benefits; Reasons why there may be a delay in social and cognitive development of having babies close together; Efforts of the Catalyst Consortium to develop standards regarding recommendations of birth spacing; Impact of recommendations on women who wait until their 30s to have children; Comments from Arthur L. Wisot, a fertility specialist at Reproductive Partners in Beverly Hills (Calif.), regarding the problems for women who wait later in life to have children; Results of studies from Shea Rutstein of ORCMacro; Results of a study sponsored by several institutes at the University of California-San Francisco. INSETS: Pace Yourself;A Question of Timing.