Factors influencing women's decisions about timing of motherhood.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the factors that influence women's decisions about the timing of motherhood from a life span perspective.

DESIGN

Qualitative.

SETTING

Large Western Canadian city with a high rate of infants born to women aged 35 years and older.

PARTICIPANTS

45 Canadian women aged 20 to 48 years.

RESULTS

Independence, a stable relationship, and declining fertility influenced women's decisions about the timing of motherhood. Women integrated child developmental transitions into a projected life plan as they considered the timing of motherhood. Partner readiness and family of origin influences played a lesser role. Delayed childbearing has become more socially acceptable, with subsequent negative connotations associated with younger motherhood. Parental benefits have limited influence on the timing of motherhood.

CONCLUSIONS

Recognition by nurses of the various and complex factors that influence women's decisions about the timing of motherhood may flag the importance of pregnancy-related counseling for woman across the fertility life span. Policy decision makers must be cognizant of the need for additional high-risk obstetric and neonatal health services when societal norms encourage women to delay childbearing in favor of completing education and establishing a career.