Ignorance is bliss: women's knowledge regarding age-related pregnancy risks

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Maternal Health
• Reproductive Medicine

Background:

• The average age of first-time mothers is increasing globally.
• Pregnancy risks, including complications, are elevated with advanced maternal age, particularly for first-time mothers.
• Existing research indicates a correlation between knowledge of age-related pregnancy risks and factors like educational attainment and health literacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate primiparous women's actual and perceived knowledge of pregnancy complications associated with advanced maternal age.
• To compare knowledge levels between women under 35 and those aged 35 and older.
• To identify women's preferences for receiving information about these risks.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 218 primiparous women.
• Data collected included demographics, knowledge of age-related pregnancy risks, prior counseling, and health literacy.
• Statistical analysis compared knowledge scores and perceptions between age groups (<35 vs. ≥35 years).

Main Results:

• No significant difference in actual knowledge scores was found between women under 35 and those 35 or older (p=0.09).
• Women aged 35 and older perceived themselves as significantly more knowledgeable than younger women (p<0.01).
• A majority (67%) desired further counseling, with 76% preferring their doctor as the source.

Conclusions:

• Perceived knowledge of advanced maternal age risks does not align with actual knowledge levels.
• Women aged 35 and older are not more informed about risks than younger women, despite higher perceived knowledge.
• Enhanced physician-led counseling is crucial to inform women about risks and potential complications of childbearing at older ages, tailored to individual health literacy.