Journal article

Publication year: 2000

Pages: 569-575

Journal: Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde

Volume number: 60

Issue number: 11

ISSN: 0016-5751

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2000-8066

Publisher: Georg Thieme Verlag

Abstract: 

Objective: An increasing number of women are postponing childbearing. We studied whether first pregnancies in women 35 years or older are associated with an increased obstetric risk.

Methods: Using the Perinatal Registry of the German state of Hesse we compared 8883 pregnancies in primiparas 35 to 39 years of age with 1269 pregnancies in women older than 39 years and 154,651 pregnancies in women 18 to 34 years old (control group). We compared socioeconomic data, problems during pregnancy, delivery data, and complications.

Results: The incidence of obstetric risks increased with age. Problems acquired during pregnancy (e.g., pregnancy-induced hypertension, premature contractions) were increased only in the women older than 39 years. Complications during delivery were increased in both older age groups compared with the controls. The cesarean section rate was higher in both groups of older mothers than in the controls (35.6%, 48.0% and 27.3%, respectively). In a multivariate analysis maternal age was an independent risk factor for cesarean delivery.

Conclusions: The incidence of risk factors during pregnancy and delivery and the cesarean delivery rate increase with age in primiparas. The increased rate of cesarean delivery in older primiparas cannot be ascribed solely to an increased rate of complications.

Harvard Citation style: Kullmer, U., Zygmunt, M., Münstedt, K. and Lang, U. (2000) Pregnancies in primiparous women 35 or older:: Still risk pregnancies?, Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde, 60(11), pp. 569-575. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2000-8066

APA Citation style: Kullmer, U., Zygmunt, M., Münstedt, K., & Lang, U. (2000). Pregnancies in primiparous women 35 or older:: Still risk pregnancies?. Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde. 60(11), 569-575. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2000-8066