Program ID: Innovation Anthology #450
Program Date: 01/24/2012
Program Category: Health and Medicine, Women in Science
Delayed Pregnancy Increases Health Risks
More and more women are waiting until their mid thirties to have children.
But according to a recent opinion published by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, delayed child-bearing is associated with increased risk of infertility, pregnancy complications and other problems.
Co-author of the report is Dr. Suzanne Tough, a perinatal epidemiologist at the University of Calgary. She says there has been such an upward trend in age, that almost 50 percent of all babies are now born to women over 30.
Dr. Tough surveyed 2000 Albertans of child bearing age about why they delay pregnancy.
DR. SUZANNE TOUGH: So, both men and women say that they recognize that they would like to begin childbearing between the ages of 25 and 29, that would be their ideal age to start. But they also tell us that what they’re waiting for is relationship security and financial security. We were very interested to learn that really career security was not as of much importance as we initially thought it might be going into the study.
Dr. Tough says that in the survey, many women expressed concern that they didn’t know delaying pregnancy came risks.
Thanks today to Alberta Innovates Health Solutions
FOR INNOVATION ANTHOLOGY
I’M CHERYL CROUCHER
