The older mother

Where there are no tangible medical complications, the risks of childbirth are no greater for older women.

Multiple births
It seems older mothers are more likely to have a low birthweight baby (less than 2.5kg/5lb 8oz), but much of this risk is a result of multiple births. In 2000, 55 per cent of low birthweight babies of mothers over 45 were born in multiple deliveries. In cases of just one baby being born, women over 45 were substantially less likely to have a low-birthweight baby than younger women.

The incidence of multiple birth increases with age, more so for non-identical twins. According to research carried out at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, twins and triplets born to older women are as healthy as those born to younger mothers.

Health beyond birth
According to a study in the British Medical Journal, there is an increased risk of the first babies of older mothers developing diabetes. The mother's age at delivery seems to be strongly related to risk of type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes and a 45-year-old mother is more than three times more likely to have a child who develops diabetes than a 20 year old. This just serves to emphasize the importance of maintaining a good blood-sugar balance throughout your pregnancy, not only from the point of view of sustaining you, but also ensuring your baby's health in the future.

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