Average maternal age will continue to rise, resulting in increased demand on services

An increasing proportion of women are delaying conception for a range of reasons. Since 2001 the proportion of births to women over 40 years of age has risen by 71 per cent. This trend is likely to continue. A consequence of this will be an increase in complications of birth and demands on services including specialist care.

Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.