title: Do factors that influence pregnancy planning differ by maternal age? A population-based survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of this analysis were to describe factors that influenced the decision to conceive among first-time mothers in two Canadian urban centres and to determine if these differed according to the age at which a woman became a mother.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women who had given birth to their first live born infant between July 2002 and September 2003 in Calgary and Edmonton were randomly selected from regional notice of birth databases. Women were contacted by telephone, and those who agreed to participate completed a 20-minute survey over the telephone. This analysis was conducted using data from participants with a planned pregnancy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The top three factors that influenced childbearing among women planning a pregnancy were similar regardless of age. They were being in a secure relationship (97%), feeling in control of one's life (82%), and feeling prepared to parent (77%). Less than 30% of women reported career goals as being "very important" in their decision. Women under 25 years of age were less likely than women 25 years or older to indicate the following as being "very important" in the timing of starting a family: being in a stable job (32%), owning a home (36%), financial security (42%), educational training (36%), and career goals (9%) (all P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This information provides a basis for developing strategies to support couples in their efforts to balance the age-related biomedical risks of delaying childbearing with a desire for relationship security and other factors that strongly influence childbearing decisions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary AB; Department Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary AB.
authors.forename: Suzanne C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Tough
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary AB; Public Health Innovation and Decision Support, Population and Public Health, Alberta Health Services, Calgary AB.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vekved
authors.affiliation: Research, Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Newburn-Cook
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000416:Alberta; D003625:Data Collection; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult