Objective Increasing maternal age was associated with an increase in obstetric interventions, induction of labour and early postpartum haemorrhage. We aim to investigate the effect of maternal age and body mass index (BMI)on delivery outcomes.

Methods Retrospective analysis of hospital database, of all the women who delivered in Ninewells hospital between 2004 and 2007, (n=18753). The outcomes analysed include mother's age at delivery, mode of delivery, gestation, indications for interventions including instrumental deliveries and caesarean section, PPH, and baby's birth weight.

Results For the purposes of this study the data will be compared against each other (over 40 and under 40) and each outcome will be compared with BMI. There were 518 patients in the 40–43 age group (92%), 41 patients in the 44–47 age group (7.3%) and 4 (0.7%) in the ≥48 age group. Compared to the younger age group, the older mothers are at increased risk of caesarean section (21.9% at <40 and 35.5% at >40). They also have higher induction rate (29% compared to 35%). The incidence of PPH in older mothers are significantly higher (10% in <40 and 42%in >40). There was no difference in baby's birth weight. Older patients with higher BMI have slightly higher incidence of PPH.

Conclusion Our study confirmed that age and BMI are indeed two independent risk factors for obstetric complications. Though rate of induction, rate of caesarean section and PPH rates are higher in older women with high BMI, there was no difference in birth weight.