Table 2 Health and health behaviours by age group and mode of conception (% unless otherwise specified)
Age group (years) | Mode of conception | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Up to 30 | 31 – 36 | 37 and older | SC | ARTC | |
n = 178 | n = 218 | n = 196 | n = 295 | n = 297 | |
Physical health | |||||
SF12 Physical Component Score (PCS) Mean (SD)1 | 43.9 (8.0) | 43.4 (9.3) | 43.5 (8.5) | 44.1 (8.2) | 43.1 (9.1) |
Self-rated general health Mean (SD) 1=Poor to 5=Excellent1 | 4.0 (0.8) | 4.1 (0.8) | 4.1 (0.8) | 4.0 (0.8) | 4.1 (0.8) |
Feeling very well during pregnancy | 28.1 | 28.0 | 37.2* | 28.1 | 34.0 |
Health problems in first two trimesters: | |||||
Nausea / vomiting | 84.3 | 77.5 | 76.0 | 80.7 | 77.4 |
Stiff or painful joints | 58.4 | 58.1 | 49.2 | 59.5 | 51.0* |
Tender breasts | 85.3 | 83.4 | 79.6 | 87.8 | 77.7* |
Vaginal discharge or irritation | 56.7 | 56.9 | 53.4 | 56.9 | 54.4 |
Heart palpitations | 19.7 | 34.6** | 29.9* | 28.2 | 28.8 |
Health problems in third trimester 2 | |||||
Carpal Tunnel syndrome | 13.9 | 18.2 | 19.0 | 17.7 | 16.7 |
Gestational diabetes | 4.6 | 4.2 | 9.0 | 3.2 | 8.5** |
Pelvic instability | 18.5 | 24.8 | 21.7 | 23.4 | 20.4 |
Pre-eclampsia | 2.9 | 7.0 | 8.5* | 5.0 | 7.5 |
Placenta praevia | 1.2 | 5.1* | 5.3* | 2.1 | 5.8* |
Baby growing less well than expected | 4.6 | 6.1 | 6.9 | 6.4 | 5.4 |
Premature labour | 7.5 | 7.0 | 7.9 | 7.1 | 7.8 |
Health problems during pregnancy 3 | |||||
High blood pressure | 12.9 | 11.0 | 12.2 | 10.8 | 13.1 |
Severe Tiredness | 87.6 | 86.7 | 88.3 | 88.5 | 86.5 |
Haemorrhoids /other bowel problems | 44.9 | 55.5 | 55.6 | 51.2 | 53.5 |
Indigestion / heartburn | 83.7 | 80.3 | 81.6 | 81.4 | 82.2 |
Headaches / migraines | 69.7 | 63.3 | 64.8 | 66.4 | 65.0 |
Back pain | 83.7 | 81.2 | 76.5 | 83.7 | 77.1* |
Vaginal bleeding | 24.2 | 21.6 | 30.1 | 21.4 | 29.0* |
Mental health | |||||
SF12 Mental Component Score (MCS) Mean (SD)1 | 52.9 (7.3) | 53.1 (8.2) | 54.1 (8.2) | 52.7 (7.9) | 54.0 (8.0) |
Episodes of intense anxiety in first two trimesters | 49 (27.5) | 74 (34.1) | 55 (28.4) | 94 (32.0) | 84 (28.5) |
Anxiety or depression in third trimester | 7.5 | 8.4 | 7.4 | 9.9 | 5.8 |
EDS total score Mean (SD)1 | 6.0 (4.5) | 5.1 (4.3) | 4.6 (4.4)** | 5.8 (4.6) | 4.6 (4.2 )*** |
EDS Score >14 | 4.5 | 3.2 | 3.1 | 4.8 | 2.4 |
STAI A-State total score Mean (SD)1 | 32.4 (8.2) | 31.6 (9.0) | 30.8 (8.6) | 32.7 (9.6) | 30.5 (7.4)* |
STAI state score >40 | 16.4 | 14.3 | 14.8 | 17.7 | 12.5 |
STAI A-Trait total score Mean (SD)1 | 34.8 (8.3) | 34.0 (8.7) | 32.8 (8.0)* | 34.7 (8.6) | 33.0 (8.1)* |
STAI trait score >40 | 24.7 | 21.7 | 17.3 | 21.8 | 20.5 |
Mostly or very calm and relaxed | 52.8 | 63.8* | 69.9** | 59.0 | 66.0 |
Health behaviours during pregnancy | |||||
Used any prescription medication | 13.5* | 14.7* | 23.0 | 15.9 | 18.2 |
Used any over-the-counter medication | 42.1 | 46.8 | 46.4 | 40.7 | 49.8* |
Any smoking | 2.8 | 3.7 | 2.6 | 4.1 | 2.0 |
Any alcohol | 14.7 | 20.3 | 16.0 | 18.1 | 16.3 |
Exercising at least weekly | 94.9 | 97.7 | 90.8** | 96.3 | 92.9 |
Hospital admissions 3 | |||||
Pregnancy-related | 13.5 | 15.1 | 18.4 | 11.5 | 19.9** |
Non pregnancy-related | 0.6 | 2.3 | 3.1 | 0.3 | 3.7** |