The unmet needs of pregnant women over 35 years: Looking at the youth population law

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Student of Reproductive Health, Midwifery and Reproductive Health Research Center, Students Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Biostatistics, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

4 Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

5 Professor, Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, Midwifery and Reproductive Health Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

10.22038/ijogi.2025.83986.6257

Abstract

Introduction: Considering to the approval of the Youth Population Law in Iran since 2021, the approach of having children in women over 35 years of age was approved and encouraged by the Ministry of Health. Therefore, the present study was conducted with aim to explain the unmet needs of pregnant women over 35 years by looking at the youth population law in these mothers.
Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in Shohada Tajrish, Akbarabadi, Arash and Rasoul Akram hospitals in 2024 for 3 months. Data related to the unmet needs of pregnant women over 35 years were collected through semi-structured interviews with 25 pregnant women over 35 years. In order to check the accuracy and robustness of the data, GABA and Lincoln criteria were used. Data were analyzed using a conventional qualitative analysis and MAXQDA-10 software.
Results: Data analysis resulted in the extraction of 126 primary codes, 26 subcategories, 8 categories, and finally 3 themes including maternal health unmet needs, social acceptance, and pregnancy anxieties. Women had various concerns during this period that the most common needs of pregnant women over 35 years included physical, sexual, psychological, economic, social, and cultural needs.
Conclusion: Considering the results of the study and the problems of pregnant women regarding the needs of pregnant women over 35 years and their suitability with incentive policies, it seems that policymakers should perform the necessary revisions in the policies of youth population laws in order to meet the needs of physical health, care facilities, and improving social support in the workplace, as well as counseling specifically for pregnant women and necessary training for spouses. 

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 28, Issue 3
May 2025
Pages 10-25

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