Acta clinica Croatica, Vol. 65. No. 2, 2026.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2026.65.02.02
Pregnancy and Childbirth Over the Age of 40: A Prospective Cohort Study
Lara Menhart
; Ljubljana University Clinical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ivan Verdenik
; Ljubljana University Clinical Center, Department of Gynecology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ana Polona Mivšek
orcid.org/0000-0001-7816-1451
; University of Ljubljana, School of Medicine, Ljubljana, Slovenia
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
The age of women in childbirth is increasing globally. Older pregnant and childbearing
women and their children are considered to be at a higher risk of complications.
This study aimed to determine whether older women giving birth for
the first time had more complications during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum
period. A secondary analysis of national perinatal data from 2013 to 2019
was made. We compared complications in different age groups (20-24, 25-29,
30-34, 35-39, and >40 years). Statistically significant differences were estimated
using χ2-test and Fisher test. Older first-time mothers (≥40 years) had a higher
incidence of gestational diabetes (20.7%), preeclampsia (4.1%), and placental
abnormalities than others. Cesarean section was also more common (21.1%).
There were more preterm births (13.8%) and small-for-gestational-age babies
(12.6%) in the group of first-time mothers aged over 40. Statistically significant
differences were also found in Apgar scores at the first (p=0.00; χ2=89.560) and
fifth minute (p<0.001; χ2=53.262). In physical terms, late motherhood does not
offer advantages. We cannot influence the trend of postponed motherhood,
but as health professionals, we have an obligation to provide women with all
the information they need to make informed reproductive decisions.
Keywords
Advanced age; Complications; Birth; National data analysis; Preconception health promotion
Hrčak ID:
347685
URI
Publication date:
10.6.2026.
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