title: Late motherhood: the experience of parturition for first time mothers aged over 35 years.
abstract: Australia, like other developed nations, is exhibiting a trend towards later childbearing. At present, the birth rate of women aged 35 years and older is growing faster than for any other age group. Approximately 35% of mothers aged >35 years are first-time mothers, and it is commonly held that these women have particular issues of adjustment to motherhood. This longitudinal qualitative study entitled 'Transition to motherhood for first-time mothers aged 35 years and above' explores their experiences. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 primiparae aged >35, over three junctures: 35-38 weeks gestation; 7-10 days postpartum; and 6-8 months postpartum. Preliminary findings from interviews conducted immediately postpartum are presented in this paper. Participants identified adjustment to motherhood as a particularly challenging event.
authors.affiliation: Monash Medical Center, School of Postgraduate Nursing, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria. m.carolan1@pgrad.unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carolan
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008016:Life Change Events; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008423:Maternal Age; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors