Obstetric outcomes of elderly primiparous singleton pregnancies conceived by in vitro fertilization compared with those conceived spontaneously

Aim: To examine the obstetric outcomes of elderly primiparous singleton pregnancies conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF) compared with those conceived spontaneously. Methods: Data were collected from primiparous women aged 35 years and older with a singleton pregnancy conceived by IVF (n = 89) or spontaneously (n = 849). Data included antenatal data, gestational age at delivery, obstetric complications, such as pregnancy‐induced hypertension, gestational diabetes, placental previa and placental abruption, mode of delivery, birth weight, fetal demise and the Apgar score at 1 min. Results: The elective Cesarean rate in pregnancies following IVF was significantly higher than that in the control group (P = 0.014). However, there were no significant differences in obstetric outcomes between the two groups. Conclusions: The current results did not support the IVF‐related risks of elderly primiparous singleton pregnancies. (Reprod Med Biol 2007; 6: 219–222)