The Influence of Reproductive History on Post-Reproductive Mortality: A Case Study of Amish Women

Abstract

The reproductive choices women make affect their health outcomes; however, the relevance of reproductive history on post-reproductive mortality varies according to the population under study. We examine whether the number of children a woman gives birth to, short birth intervals, late childbearing, having twins, and having children who die young have an influence on maternal mortality among the Amish. We use information from Amish directories to examine reproductive patterns of 228 women in this high fertility group. Our results indicate the patterns typically found for maternal mortality in the general population do not hold in our sample of Amish women. We suggest the mediating role of family and community is integral to understanding the maternal health patterns within the Amish community.