Who is the elderly primigravida in Nigeria?

Abstract A retrospective study of 792 primigravidae, divided into four age‐groups, was made in order to detect which group showed features of the elderly primigravida. Adolescent primigravidae showed significantly highest incidences of pre‐eclampsia, anemia, premature labor and cephalopelvic disproportion. The 20–24 year age‐group showed the least incidence of pregnancy and labor complications. The 25–29 year age‐group showed significantly increased incidences of uterine fibroids, pre‐eclampsia, post‐term pregnancy, premature labor, slow labor, fetal distress, failed induction, vacuum and cesarean section deliveries, when compared with the 20–24 year age‐group. Most of the complications in the 25–29 year age‐group were continued into 30–34 years. A woman 25 years and above in her first pregnancy in Nigeria should be termed “elderly primigravida”.