Primigravida at Advanced Maternal Age

Abstract

Evolving socioeconomic development and its challenges, and advances in medical science have led to increasing proportion of women delaying childbearing beyond the age of 35years in the past three to four decades. A woman who is carrying her first pregnancy at age 35years or more is referred to as elderly primigravida. Similar consideration is given to a woman who delivers her first child at age 35years or more. Pregnancy in this group of women is associated with several adverse pregnancy outcomes including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, diabetes and its complications, uteroplacental bleeding, preterm birth, low birth weight, still birth, chromosomal defects, labour complications, and caesarean section. They, therefore, constitute one of the obstetric high risk categories requiring special attention and vigilant care. Early booking, close supervision in the antenatal and intrapartum periods, appropriately timed obstetric intervention and advocation of active management of labour would engender good fetal and maternal outcomes. A definitive increase in the number of women in this group is expected to occur both in developed and developing countries thus necessitating an in-depth review and updating of knowledge in the management of this category of women.

Keywords: Primigravida, Advanced Maternal Age, Obstetric Outcome

Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 63, No. 5-6,2013