Do older primigravidas differ from younger primigravidas in their emotional experience of pregnancy?

Abstract

This preliminary study tested the hypothesis that older primigravidas feel emotionally more stressed during pregnancy than younger primigravidas. Two groups of 30 women were assessed using the GHQ‐12 self‐report questionnaire. Cases were primigravidas aged 35 or older, controls were primigravidas aged 20–30. The sampling frame was divided into three groups of 10 women, each group representing one of the three pregnancy trimesters. The study demonstrated the feasibility of using the GHQ‐12 questionnaire in antenatal clinics. Older primigravidas took more time in antenatal consultations. No significant difference was found between the groups of women, although a small number in both were very anxious. Qualitative data obtained from an open‐ended question revealed pregnancy‐related anxieties in approximately half of the women.