Pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium health problems in women after 35 year of age: A systematic literature review
Pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium health problems in women after 35 year of age: A systematic literature review

Summary/Abstract: Advancing medical knowledge, improving quality of life and increasing life expectancy have resulted in increased numbers of women deciding to deliver a child over 35 years of age. Infertility in delayed motherhood is associated not only with medical but also with psychological problems. The question of delayed motherhood concerns the whole world, and is of interest not only to obstetricians, but also economists and demographers. The purpose of our study was to identify and review studies into the health problems of women over 35 years of age in pregnancy (Advanced Maternal Age), delivery and the puerperium. Original papers investigating health problems in women over 35 years of age related to pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium published between August 2017, and January 2018 were identified. Databases including PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest Central, and Elsevier Clinical Key Journals were utilised. After removing duplicates and those not meeting inclusion criteria, 15 studies were reviewed. Findings are discussed according to three time periods; before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and during childbirth and the puerperium. AMA mothers, especially primiparous women, were more likely to suffer with underlying chronic diseases and were more likely to have been treated for infertility. Increased use ART (Assisted Reproduction Techniques) can explain an increased rate of multiple pregnancies and the resultant rise in both caesarean section deliveries and premature births. Study groups subclassified according to maternal age allowed outcomes which are progressive with age to be identified. All the studies we reviewed have reported similar health problems in women over 35 years of age. The most common health problems in pregnancy, during childbirth and the puerperium in women over 35 years of age are diabetes mellitus type one and two, hypertension, preeclampsia, and cholestasis

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