Ignorance is bliss: women’s knowledge regarding age-related pregnancy risks

Abstract

Pregnancy risks rise with age and the average age of first time mothers is rising. This study aimed to assess women's actual knowledge and their perceived knowledge of pregnancy complications relating to advanced maternal age. A cross-sectional survey was administered to primiparous women measuring demographics, knowledge of age-related pregnancy risks, previous counselling and health literacy. Of the 218 women surveyed, the mean knowledge score was not significantly different for women <35 years of age compared to women ≥35 years of age (p = .09). Although there was no difference in knowledge between the two groups, women ≥35 years of age perceived themselves to be more knowledgeable than those under 35 (p < .01). The majority of women (67%) wanted further counselling on this topic and indicated a preference for their doctor to counsel them (76%). Women require counselling informing them of their increased risk of complications if they begin childbearing at older ages. Impact statement What is already known on this subject: The average age of first time mothers is rising worldwide. Pregnancy risks rise with age, especially in first time mothers. Previous studies have shown that knowledge of age-related pregnancy risks correlate with educational level and health literacy. What the results of this study add: This study supports those findings and also demonstrates that perceived knowledge does not correlate with measured knowledge of age-related pregnancy risks. Women ≥35 years of age (higher-risk women) are no more knowledgeable than their younger counterparts though they perceive themselves to be better informed. Greater education regarding these risks may allow women to mitigate some of these risks through lifestyle and diet alteration and will prepare women for what to expect if these risks and complications occur. The majority of women in this study seek pregnancy information on the internet, but desire further counselling from their doctors regarding age-related pregnancy risks. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research: Given these results, physicians must consider making greater efforts to counsel women about pregnancy risks in advanced maternal age and tailor these conversations to suit the educational level and health literacy of each individual patient.

Changing trends of birth weight with maternal age: a cross-sectional study in Xi'an city of Northwestern China

“…A nonlinear relationship between maternal age and the risk of term LBW was found in our study. The curve was the same as the previous study [13,26]. As LBW newborns may be premature with other risk factors [27], we restricted our study population to term newborns, therefore the etiology of LBW was intrauterine growth restriction [18].…”

Changing trends of birth weight with maternal age: a cross-sectional study in Xi'an city of Northwestern China

“…A nonlinear relationship between maternal age (20-40 years) and the risk of term LBW was found in our study. The curve was the same as the previous study [14,24]. As LBW infants may be premature with other risk factors [25], we restricted our study population to term infants.…”

Initiating patient discussions about oocyte cryopreservation: Attitudes of obstetrics and gynaecology resident physicians

“…Given the fact that 60% of residents in the current study reported that they would not initiate discussions about OC, it is possible that OB/GYN resident physicians view this procedure outside the scope of general reproductive healthcare practice. However, recent studies have found that women want their healthcare provider to be their primary source of information about reproductive health ( Lundsberg et al, 2014 ), and that the majority of women want their physician to provide counselling about possible pregnancy complications related to advanced maternal age ( Sheinis et al, 2018 ). Understanding the mechanisms that can narrow the gap between patients' preferences and providers' views may be an important area of future study.…”