Older Mothers

In the field of social sciences, older mothers are usually defined as women who are 35 years of age or older when they get pregnant or have a child. Most studies about the topic have focused on first-time older mothers; that is, on women who have their first child when they are 35 years of age or older. However, regardless of the number of pregnancies or children a woman has had before, the term older mother usually refers to the 35-plus age group. In some cases, it is maternal age at conception that is used as reference point; in other cases, it is maternal age at giving birth.

A crucial basis for delaying childbirth is the availability of birth control methods, which allow women to prevent ...