Challenges for older moms need more attention

Out of London comes information that women are not always getting accurate or timely information about their prospects for fertility and healthy pregnancy. This is especially true for age-related health risk as the trend toward older first time moms continues.

Dr. David Utting, Specialty Registrar in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Kingston Hospital NHS Trust who co-authored the review in The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, said, “Clear facts on fertility be made available to women of all ages to remind them that the most secure age for childbearing remains 20 to 35. However women and doctors should remain vigilant to prevent unplanned and unwanted pregnancies.”

The age of first time mothers has increased from 23 in 1968 to a little over 29 in forty years. Women between 30 and 34 are more likely to become mothers than any other age group.

There is increased infertility or difficulty with conception, an increased risk of miscarriage and other pregnancy related complications including premature births and stillbirths identified with delaying motherhood.

The report also mentions male infertility increasing with age. On average it takes a 40 year old male two more years to get his partner pregnant than his younger counterparts.

“This review highlights the problems associated with later maternal age. Women should be given more information on the unpredictability of pregnancy and the problems that can occur in older mothers,” said Jason Waugh the Editor in Chief of the medical review publication.

Source: The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, BioNews