Linear association between maternal age and need of medical interventions at delivery in primiparae: a cohort of 21,235 singleton births

Abstract

Objectives: We sought to investigate the potential association between maternal age and the need for active obstetrical intervention intrapartum in primiparas.

Study design: Observational study over 14 years (2001–2014) of all consecutive primiparous singleton births having delivered at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Hospitalier Sud Reunion’s maternity (French overseas department, Indian Ocean).

Results: Of the 21,235 singleton primiparous births, there were three significant linear associations between maternal age from 12 years of age to 42 + (all χ² for linear trend, p < .0001) (a) vaginal deliveries without any medical intervention, (b) rate of cesarean sections, and (c) rate of operative vaginal procedures. These three linear associations persisted when controlling for maternal obesity (±30 kg/m²), “heavy babies” (>3.5 kg), and ethnicity. Using maternal age remained significantly an independent risk factor (p < .0001), after controlling for the major confounders: maternal BMI, maternal height, birthweight ≥3500 g, p < .0001.

Conclusions: Increasing maternal age has a linear association with vaginal deliveries without any medical intervention, rate of cesarean sections, and rate of operative vaginal procedures. These associations are independent of maternal BMI and maternal height. We currently do not have a specific explanation why younger women appear to be protected from requiring intrapartum obstetric intervention. Nevertheless, these strong facts deserve acknowledgement and further research.

Keywords:

• Primiparae
• epidemiology
• maternal age
• birthing
• cesarean delivery

Acknowledgements

Ethics approval: This study was exempt from approval of institutional review board (Comité de Protection des Personnes Sud-Ouest et Outre Mer III) and according to French legislation written consent.

Disclosure statement

The authors attest that no conflict of interest exists regarding this work.

Funding

It was not needed for this study besides the normal existence of the perinatal database (since 2001).