Factors influencing women's decisions about timing of motherhood.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the factors that influence women's decisions about the timing of motherhood from a life span perspective.


METHODS
Qualitative.


METHODS
Large Western Canadian city with a high rate of infants born to women aged 35 years and older.


METHODS
45 Canadian women aged 20 to 48 years.


RESULTS
Independence, a stable relationship, and declining fertility influenced women's decisions about the timing of motherhood. Women integrated child developmental transitions into a projected life plan as they considered the timing of motherhood. Partner readiness and family of origin influences played a lesser role. Delayed childbearing has become more socially acceptable, with subsequent negative connotations associated with younger motherhood. Parental benefits have limited influence on the timing of motherhood.


CONCLUSIONS
Recognition by nurses of the various and complex factors that influence women's decisions about the timing of motherhood may flag the importance of pregnancy-related counseling for woman across the fertility life span. Policy decision makers must be cognizant of the need for additional high-risk obstetric and neonatal health services when societal norms encourage women to delay childbearing in favor of completing education and establishing a career.
Benzies
Karen
K
Faculty of Nursing in the University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada. benzies@ucalgary.ca
Tough
Suzanne
S
Tofflemire
Karen
K
Frick
Corine
C
Faber
Alexandra
A
Newburn-Cook
Christine
C
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002170:Canada; D002322:Career Mobility; D003657:Decision Making; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D008423:Maternal Age; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009042:Motivation; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D036301:Qualitative Research; D043762:Reproductive Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012945:Social Values; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*; D014931:Women, Working / Q000523:psychology