Does it get better with age? Women's experience of communication in maternity care

Communication with maternity care providers is one of the strongest predictors of the perceived quality of maternity care. There is evidence that older mothers experience better communication than younger mothers, but no evidence for why this occurs.

To identify differences between younger (<35 years) and older (35+ years) mother's perceived quality of communication and any apparent age-related differences.

We analysed cross-sectional data from 2504 first-time mothers in the Having a Baby in Queensland Survey 2012. Binary logistic regression assessed associations between maternal age and perceived optimal communication (information, participation, and connection) from care providers during women's most recent pregnancy and birth. Multivariable logistic regression modelling determined the effect of potential confounders (model of care, mode of birth, maternal age, and risk perceptions) on associations between age and communication quality.

After adjustment for confounders, older mothers were more likely to report experiencing optimal information (e.g., not receiving conflicting information) and connection with caregivers (e.g., comfortable asking questions) in both pregnancy and birth. There were no age-related differences in the perception of participation. Model of care and mode of birth were more influential than maternal age in predicting communication perceptions. Women who used midwifery or private obstetric models and had unassisted vaginal births were more likely to perceive optimal communication.

Given the benefits of communication on maternity care, redressing these age-related differences should be a focus of future communication training for care providers to ensure that women receive optimal communication, regardless of their age.