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Women are having babies later in life, according to a new National Vital Statistics Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The mean age for giving birth rose from 28.7 years old in 2016 to 29.6 years old in 2023, following a steady upward trendline. With the exception of the year 2006, the age of mothers at birth has either increased or remained stable every year since 1970. For first-time mothers, the age also increased, from 26.6 in 2016 to 27.5 in 2023—almost 1 year older on average.
Why it matters: Older moms can experience increased risks during pregnancy and labor and delivery as well as during the postpartum period. From 2016 to 2023, the percentage of first births for older mothers (age 30 and older) increased by 12.6% for mothers ages 30–34 (from 22.3% to 25.1%) and increased by 25% for mothers age 35 and older (from 10.0% to 12.5%). Read more about urgent care postpartum presentations from the JUCM archive: Postpartum Presentations: When Risk Arises After Delivery – Vaginal Bleeding and Discharge. Also Postpartum Presentations: When Risk Arises After Delivery – Headache.