Re-evaluation of the obstetrical risk for the older primipara.

The obstetric data relating to 92 older primiparas (OP) treated as regular obstetric patients and data relating to 92 older multiparas (OM) are compared to a previous study of 98 OP, which led to the conclusion that OP should not be managed as high-risk patients during gestation. No difference was found between the two periods regarding complications of pregnancy, gestational age and birth weight, onset of labor, perinatal morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, cesarean deliveries were significantly higher in the study group. It seems that the conservative attitude towards OP during pregnancy is justified, but at labor, more rigid indications for cesarean section should be applied to establish objective patient care.