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Exploring the older mother from different perspectives: the voices of women (an exploratory study of women's views and experiences of delayed childbearing)

Cooke, A Mills, TA & Lavender, T

In: British Maternal and Fetal Medicine Society 14th Annual Conference; 10 Jun 2010-11 Jun 2010; The Sage, Gateshead. Fetal & Neonatal: an edition of Archives of Disease in Childhood 95(1) Fa94: BMJ Journals; 2010.

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Abstract

Background: Maternal age at first birth in the UK has steadily risen over the past two decades. Evidence regarding obstetric risks of delayed childbearing is methodologically limited. There is little qualitative research regarding what women know about these risks, their experiences or reasons for delaying childbearing.Objectives: To explore what factors influence women’s decisions to delay childbearing, their experiences and perceptions of the associated risks.Design: A phenomenological study exploring the ‘lived experience’ of delayed childbearing.Method: A purposive sample of 30 women (5 groups of 6) were interviewed following ethical approval; • 35 and over, no children, not pregnant• 35 and over, pregnant with their first child• 35 and over, no children, attending fertility clinic• 18 to 25, not pregnant, no children• 26 to 34, not pregnant, no children The sample considers views of women at various stages of their ‘life plan’. Thematic analysis was conducted.Results: Women’s accounts did not focus on obstetric complications but on the need for a stable relationship, ‘being ready’ and life experience. Disadvantages focus on the physical effects on the body and societal perceptions. Women perceive a lack of choice in their decision of when to have a family; personal circumstances force decisions to delay. Age alone was not perceived to be a risk factor. Conclusion: Health professionals need to understand the complexities surrounding women’s reasons for delaying childbearing. Sensitive information and support should be provided allowing for varying perceptions of risk status. Women may benefit from pre-conception care.

Bibliographic metadata

Type of resource:
Content type:
Type of conference contribution:
Publication date:
Conference title:
British Maternal and Fetal Medicine Society 14th Annual Conference
Conference venue:
The Sage, Gateshead
Conference start date:
2010-06-10
Conference end date:
2010-06-11
Publisher:
Place of publication:
Fetal & Neonatal: an edition of Archives of Disease in Childhood 95(1) Fa94
Abstract:
Background: Maternal age at first birth in the UK has steadily risen over the past two decades. Evidence regarding obstetric risks of delayed childbearing is methodologically limited. There is little qualitative research regarding what women know about these risks, their experiences or reasons for delaying childbearing.Objectives: To explore what factors influence women’s decisions to delay childbearing, their experiences and perceptions of the associated risks.Design: A phenomenological study exploring the ‘lived experience’ of delayed childbearing.Method: A purposive sample of 30 women (5 groups of 6) were interviewed following ethical approval; • 35 and over, no children, not pregnant• 35 and over, pregnant with their first child• 35 and over, no children, attending fertility clinic• 18 to 25, not pregnant, no children• 26 to 34, not pregnant, no children The sample considers views of women at various stages of their ‘life plan’. Thematic analysis was conducted.Results: Women’s accounts did not focus on obstetric complications but on the need for a stable relationship, ‘being ready’ and life experience. Disadvantages focus on the physical effects on the body and societal perceptions. Women perceive a lack of choice in their decision of when to have a family; personal circumstances force decisions to delay. Age alone was not perceived to be a risk factor. Conclusion: Health professionals need to understand the complexities surrounding women’s reasons for delaying childbearing. Sensitive information and support should be provided allowing for varying perceptions of risk status. Women may benefit from pre-conception care.

Institutional metadata

University researcher(s):

Record metadata

Manchester eScholar ID:
uk-ac-man-scw:88641
Created by:
Cooke, Alison
Created:
25th August, 2010, 15:08:48
Last modified by:
Cooke, Alison
Last modified:
11th October, 2012, 18:14:34

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