Fuelled with Anxiety and Fear: Psychological Health During Pregnancy and Adaptation to Motherhood in Women at Advanced Reproductive Age

Abstract

Objective
To explore advanced reproductive age (ARA) women’s experiences of pregnancy, childbirth and transition to motherhood concerning psychological well-being.

Background
Mothering over 35 years of age has become a prominent phenomenon in developed countries. Whilst there is an understanding of medical associated risks concerning advanced-age pregnancies, less is known of women's emotional and psychological experience of pregnancy, childbirth and transition to motherhood. This indeterminate field of maternity highlights some intriguing issues and dilemmas for clinical care.

Design
A qualitative inductive study, within the theoretical perspectives of interpretivism, phenomenology and hermeneutics, employing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as the methodology. Semi-structured interviews were conducted at two-time points; at 24- 32 weeks' gestation and 6 months post-birth.

Participants
The experiences of twelve women aged 35 years and over, recruited from social media and maternity forums across the United Kingdom in 2021, were explored concerning psychological well-being during pregnancy, childbirth and transition to motherhood.

Findings
Six themes emerged through IPA: (1) personal and professional support in pregnancy and motherhood, (2) preparation for pregnancy and motherhood, (3) risk and women’s decision-making, (4) self-identity in motherhood, (5) timing of pregnancy, and (6) women’s self-efficacy. Collectively, these six themes represent the unfolding narratives of women’s experiences, embedded in the research study which further identified three core original contributions to knowledge; Fuelled with anxiety and fear; Impact of personal and professional support; and Assimilation of self-identity in motherhood.

Conclusions and Implications
Although previous research suggests pregnancy at an advanced age challenges the concept of the ‘normal expectable life cycle’ and deviations from the norm may negatively impact psychological well-being, findings from this study suggest pregnancy at an advanced age is a well-defined plan which can lead to a sense of being fuelled with anxiety and fear. Consequentially, these findings suggest by promoting increased empowerment, self-efficacy, increased awareness of authenticity, self-identity, and recognising pregnancy at an advanced age as an individual phenomenon, midwives and health care professionals can support women to experience a positive pregnancy and a greater transition to motherhood.

Keywords
Advanced Reproductive Age; Psychological Health; Advanced Reproductive Age and Pregnancy; Anxiety; Fear; Pregnancy.

Date of Award	23 Jan 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Northumbria University
Supervisor	Richelle Duffy (Supervisor) & Mark Bevan (Supervisor)