A review of pregnancy in women over 35 years of age.
The objective of the present paper is to review how pregnant women over 35 years have been described in previous research, and to review the risks associated with pregnancy in those of advanced maternal age. Computerized searches of the Cinahl, PubMed, Medic and Cochrane Library databases were undertaken. Research articles in scientific journals, relevant to the objective, and published in English between 2000 and 2008, were included. Data were extracted based on the aims, sample, authors, year and results.


RESULTS
Advanced maternal age is associated with certain pregnancy-related risks. Being "at risk" causes anxiety and concern, which older pregnant women try to ease by being as well-informed as possible. This may be overwhelming to some women due to the large amount of information available.


CONCLUSIONS
It is important for healthcare providers to be aware of the different feelings and experiences of older pregnant women in order to meet their individual needs within the maternity services.
Lampinen
Reeta
R
University of Kuopio, Department of Nursing Science, P.O. Box 1627, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland. rlampine@hytti.uku.fi
Vehviläinen-Julkunen
Katri
K
Kankkunen
Päivi
P
Fertil Steril. 2008 Oct;90(4):1036-42
17905234
J Clin Nurs. 2009 Mar;18(5):652-8
18705630
Anesthesiol Clin. 2006 Sep;24(3):637-46
17240610
CMAJ. 2008 Jan 15;178(2):165-72
18195290
J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2003 Jan-Feb;32(1):19-27
12570178
J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2006 Sep-Oct;35(5):625-33
16958718
J Clin Nurs. 2007 Jun;16(6):1162-72
17518891
Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2007;86(11):1328-36
17963060
Women Birth. 2007 Sep;20(3):121-6
17606425
Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2003 Aug;268(3):172-4
12942245
Matern Child Health J. 2007 Mar;11(2):189-98
17237994
Obstet Gynecol. 2005 May;105(5 Pt 1):983-90
15863534
Health Care Women Int. 2005 Oct;26(9):852-75
16214797
MCN Am J Matern Child Nurs. 2002 Nov-Dec;27(6):328-34
12439134
BJOG. 2001 Sep;108(9):910-8
11563459
Obstet Gynecol. 2004 Oct;104(4):727-33
15458893
Health Care Women Int. 2007 Jul;28(6):534-55
17578714
J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2007 Nov-Dec;36(6):616-23
17973707
Obstet Gynecol. 2005 Jun;105(6):1410-8
15932837
Hum Reprod. 2000 Nov;15(11):2433-7
11056148