It is a socially conceived notion that older women have more problems in
coping up with pregnancy, as compared to younger women. A recent study has
revealed that first-time ‘older’ mums-to-be can cope with pregnancy, just
the way younger mums-to-be do.
The research team, led by Dr. Catherine McMahon of Macquarie University,
followed 620 Australian women in their 20s, 30s and 40s from their third
trimester of pregnancy, until four months after the birth of their baby.
The research team found that the physical health, discomforts of pregnancy
and overall mood was similar in women of all age group.
The study also showed that women aged 37 and older remained physically and
emotionally healthy, just like younger women in pregnancy.
The older women showed similar levels of exercise and physical activity as
their younger counterparts. However, they are more anxious about their
unborn baby's well-being.
The research team also found that younger women were more positive about
changes to their bodies.
Ms. McMahon said: “Older mums expressed greater anxiety about the well-being
of their unborn baby, as you might expect given well publicized evidence of
higher rates of obstetric complications in this age group.”
Source : TopNews.in
