M A Stark1. 1. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine if gravidas ages 35 years and older have greater conflict in adapting to pregnancy than do younger gravidas. DESIGN: Static group comparison. SETTING: Prenatal care facilities and prenatal education classes. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-four older gravidas (35 years and older) and 46 younger gravidas (32 years and younger) who were in their 3rd trimester of pregnancy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Lederman Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire II, which contains seven scales measuring conflict in psychosocial tasks during pregnancy. RESULTS: Older gravidas had significantly less fear of helplessness and loss of control in labor than did younger gravidas. Age and education but not parity may account for this finding. CONCLUSIONS: Age and education may balance the additional concerns older gravidas may have about pregnancy and allow older gravidas to adjust to pregnancy as well as younger women do.
OBJECTIVE: To determine if gravidas ages 35 years and older have greater conflict in adapting to pregnancy than do younger gravidas. DESIGN: Static group comparison. SETTING: Prenatal care facilities and prenatal education classes. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-four older gravidas (35 years and older) and 46 younger gravidas (32 years and younger) who were in their 3rd trimester of pregnancy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Lederman Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire II, which contains seven scales measuring conflict in psychosocial tasks during pregnancy. RESULTS: Older gravidas had significantly less fear of helplessness and loss of control in labor than did younger gravidas. Age and education but not parity may account for this finding. CONCLUSIONS: Age and education may balance the additional concerns older gravidas may have about pregnancy and allow older gravidas to adjust to pregnancy as well as younger women do.