The consequences of postponing pregnancy

The postponement of childbearing is determined by societal factors and is related to the fact that it is often difficult for women to combine an education, a job or a career with having children and taking care of a family. Especially gynaecologists are increasingly confronted with women who undergo the medical consequences of such postponement. Postponing the first pregnancy is accompanied by an increased risk of unwanted infertility. If women do succeed in becoming pregnant later in life, there is an increased risk of complications during pregnancy and delivery. The child runs a greater risk of chromosomal aberrations and of mental and physical handicaps related to increased numbers of premature births and fertility treatments. All these problems begin to increase after age 30, but especially after age 35. Finally, the risk of breast cancer is also increased if a woman delays the birth of her first child or remains childless.