A Clinical Study in Nulliparous Women: Age 35 and Older

Shin, Jin Ok; Kim, Jeong Eun; Kim, Eun Mi; Kim, Ho Joon; Kim, Byung Ryung; Byun, Ji Soo

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To compare pregnancy and delivery complications in first births between women 35 years or older and those who are younger.
METHODS
Matemal and newborn records for first births at Chonnam university hospital from January 1, 1988 to December 31, 1996 were studied. The study group included 123 women who were 35 years or older. A control group consisting of 120 younger women was used for comparison. The X2 test was used to identify trends in individual variables and outcomes.
RESULTS
Premature rupture of membrane, uterine myoma, and malpresentation were much mare prevalent in the older nullipara. However, there were no significant differences in incidences of preeclampsia, placenta previa, and pyelonephritis between the older nullipara and younger nullipara groups. Older nullipara had a significantly higher incidence of Cesarean delivery than younger women, Elective cesarean section was performed only in the older nullipara and it was the most common indication for Cesarean delivery in older nullipara. Fetal distress and breech presentation as indications for Cesarean delivery were significantly more common in the older study group. There were no noticeable differences in postpartal complication between the groups. Pretam birth and low birth weight were much more common in the older nullipara. but there were no significant differences in small for gestational age, low Apgar score, perinatal morbidity and deaths between the groups.
CONCLUSION
From the results, it was difficult to conclude that women 35 or older are pmne to higher risk pregnancies, compared to their younger counterparts. Although more incidences of premature rupture of membrane, preterm delivery, and Cesarean delivery were observed, there were no significant differences in other pregnancy and delivery complications. With appropriate obstetric care, it is most probable that first time pregnancies in older women will result in similar outcome as those in younger women.