O-7: Parenting Issues Among Women of Advanced Reproductive Age: Does Age Really Matter?

Abstract

Background: Due to technologic advancements, women beyond the age of natural menopause may now conceive in an efficient manner. Concerns regarding older parents’ approach to parenting have been expressed but not addressed. Objective: To investigate older parents’ approaches to parenting by examining the socio-economic factors and child care preferences among women in their fifties. Materials and Methods: 49 women in their fifties (Group A) were matched to women in their forties (Group B) and women in their thirties (Group C), who conceived and delivered after in vitro fertilization at the University of Southern California between 1992 and 2004. All subjects with a current address (N=129) were mailed a questionnaire gathering current information on socio-economic status and childcare preferences. Responses between groups were compared using ANOVA and chi square analysis, where appropriate. Results: A total of 59 questionnaires (46%) were returned completed. Women conceiving in their fifties were married to older men (51.6±7.8 years (A) versus 46.5±8.3 (C) and 49.5±6.9 years (B)); however, these differences were not statistically significant (p=0.15). They did not differ from their younger counterparts in the number of years married (13.5±7.5 years versus 12.3±5.3 (C) and 13.9±7.5 (B), p=0.76) but did tend to have more children (2.47±0.874 versus 1.74±0.733 (C) and 2.13±0.861 (B), p=0.04). These women were also more likely to be Caucasian (OR 5.26, p=0.03), have attended graduate school (OR=3.11, p=0.046), be employed (OR=3.11, p=0.08), and have a family income over $150,000 (OR=3.79, p=0.05). However, they did not differ from the 30 and 40 year olds in their preterm delivery rate (53% versus 47% (C) and 32% (B), p=0.38) or the perceived health of their child (p=0.92). They also were no more likely to use childcare services (32% versus 28% (C) and 40% (B), p=0.82). Conclusions: Women who choose after age 50 to have children via assisted reproductive technology tend to be more educated and have a higher income than their younger counterparts. However, they are not more likely to deliver prematurely, perceive their child as having poor health, or use childcare services. Studying older parents’ approach to parenting will assist in counseling of future parents.