Birth statistics show that more women than ever before become mothers later in life. In developed countries there is an upsurge in the age of mothers giving birth for the first time, and there are now more first-time mothers giving birth in the 30-34 age group than in the 25-29 age group. There is also a 50% increase from 10 years ago in the number of women aged 40-44 who are having a baby.

Women over 35 (or even younger) expecting a first baby are automatically assigned to a high risk category, at risk for problems such as hypertension, pre-eclampsia, diabetes, difficult labour, and caesarean section. Research, however, suggests that the mother's overall health is more important than age per se.

This updated version of Birth Over 35 (Sheldon Press 1994, Birth Over 30, Sheldon Press 1982) provides the specialist information needed by `older' mothers. Topics include:

• Deciding when to have a baby
• Planning for pregnancy
• The baby's health
• Tests and checks
• How to talk with doctors and midwives
• Coping with emotional highs and lows
• Life after the baby arrives
• Partners and family
• Coping alone