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The delay of motherhood: Reasons, determinants, time used to achieve pregnancy, and maternal anxiety level

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  • Leticia Molina-García
  • Manuel Hidalgo-Ruiz
  • Eva María Cocera-Ruíz
  • Esther Conde-Puertas
  • Miguel Delgado-Rodríguez
  • Juan Miguel Martínez-Galiano

Abstract

Background: Fertility in recent decades in European countries such as Norway, Spain or United Kingdom has declined, while in others such as Portugal, it has remained relatively constant, and in others such as Germany fertility rated have risen. The determinants of this change in reproductive pattern can be explained by the cultural, social, and economic changes that took place in our society. Objective: to identify the principal reasons and independent determinants associated with the postponement of motherhood and document any association between the time taken to achieve successful pregnancy and maternal age, as well as the level of anxiety of these women. Methods: An observational study, including 326 women, was conducted in Spain with primiparous women, in which data was collected on sociodemographic, health, and pregnancy-related factors. Comparison of means (t-test or analysis of variance) and the analysis of covariance was used to estimate adjusted means for potential confounders. Results: Women in stable relationships became mothers at older ages (31.83±0.29) than those who were not (28.75±0.78) (p

Suggested Citation

  • Leticia Molina-García & Manuel Hidalgo-Ruiz & Eva María Cocera-Ruíz & Esther Conde-Puertas & Miguel Delgado-Rodríguez & Juan Miguel Martínez-Galiano, 2019. "The delay of motherhood: Reasons, determinants, time used to achieve pregnancy, and maternal anxiety level," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(12), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0227063
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227063
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Máire Ní Bhrolcháin & Éva Beaujouan, 2012. "Fertility postponement is largely due to rising educational enrolment," Population Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 66(3), pages 311-327.
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    1. Taewook Kim, 2023. "The impact of working hours on pregnancy intention in childbearing-age women in Korea, the country with the world’s lowest fertility rate," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(7), pages 1-15, July.

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