PREGNANCY AFTER 50 - PROFILE AND PREGNANCY OUTCOME IN A SERIES OF ELDERLY MULTIGRAVIDAE

A series of seven women aged 50 years and over was studied over two years to analyse patient profile and pregnancy outcome. All were first-generation immigrant Asian multigravidae who were Muslims of low socio-economic status and who had never used contraception. The median age at booking was 52 (range 51-59 years) and the median parity was nine. One woman had gestational diabetes and one had an antepartum haemorrhage. There were few intrapartum or puerperal problems but an increased rate of Caesarean section (28.6%) was noted. There were no stillbirths, neonatal deaths or congenital anomalies in this series. The mean birth weight was 3.3 kg and the mean gestation at delivery was 39.2 weeks. There was no significant perinatal morbidity. Five of the seven women declined further family planning advice. A possible relationship between race, parity and age at menopause is discussed.