A recent review paper emphasises the need for
improved provision of fertility information, especially regarding
age-associated risks, as the trend for women having children later in
life continues.
Dr David Utting, Specialty Registrar in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
at Kingston Hospital NHS Trust who co-authored the review, said: 'Clear
facts on fertility be made available to women of all ages to remind
them that the most secure age for childbearing remains 20 to 35.
However women and doctors should remain vigilant to prevent unplanned
and unwanted pregnancies'.
The review says basic information about pregnancy including
contraception, normal cycles, the dangers of sexually transmitted
diseases and age-related risks should be reinforced through schools,
family planning and sexual health clinics and the media, so the general
public can be better informed.
The age of first-time mothers has risen from 23 in 1968 to 29.3 in
2008 and women aged 30 to 34 are more likely to enter into motherhood
than any other age group, based on data from the Office for National
Statistics. The authors propose a wider choice of reliable
contraception as a possible reason and refer to the results of a 2006
survey in which most women described career and money, with a number
also highlighting the need to find a suitable partner, as delaying
motherhood.
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