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The elderly primigravida

  • Chapter
Book cover Midwifery Practice

Part of the book series: Midwifery Practice

Abstract

The term ‘elderly primigravida was first used in 1958 by the International Council of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to refer to women aged over 35 years who were embarking upon their first pregnancy (Tuck et al 1988). Such a rigid cut off point has been criticised by Kane (1967) who demonstrated that risk increases (and outcomes worsen) from a maternal age of 25 years onwards. A review of the literature, however, indicates that a wider range of definition is used. Some authors are interested in primiparous women aged over 30 (Vessey et al 1986; Barkan & Bracken 1987), whilst others have only followed up those women aged over 40 (Berryman & Windridge 1991a, 1991b). For this reason, this chapter has not adopted a rigid definition but states the range of ages examined in each particular circumstance.

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Authors
  1. Louise Silverton
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Editor information

Jo Alexander Valerie Levy Sarah Roch

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© 1993 Louise Silverton

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Silverton, L. (1993). The elderly primigravida. In: Alexander, J., Levy, V., Roch, S. (eds) Midwifery Practice. Midwifery Practice. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-12936-2_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-12936-2_5

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-333-57617-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-349-12936-2

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