Increased risk in the elderly parturient.

Purpose Of Review: The steady increase in age in primiparous and multiparous women raises questions concerning increased obstetric risk and outcome in such pregnancies. This review highlights the effects of maternal age on obstetric and perinatal outcome.

Recent Findings: Complications have been associated with increasing maternal age, including abnormal weight gain, obesity, gestational diabetes, chronic and pregnancy-induced hypertension, antepartum haemorrhage, placenta praevia, multiple gestation, prelabour rupture of membranes, and preterm labour.