RESUMO
The mean age at childbirth in Europe has gradually increased, and it is now around 29 years of age. It has been shown that older maternal age is associated with problems of fertility; in fact, with increasing age, the chance of conceiving diminishes, and fetal and obstetric complications grow. Research has focused particularly on the biological risks associated with late pregnancy, both for the child and the woman. Less space has been dedicated to the potential psychological and relational benefits of motherhood at an advanced age. The aim of this review was to summarize the existing literature on this issue. Qualitative and quantitative studies were sourced from Pubmed, Science Direct, PsycINFO, and SciELO. The selected works highlight that advanced maternal age can be associated with some advantages for both mothers and their offspring in terms of physical healthcare, parenting styles, and child developmental outcomes. Specifically, the review suggests that older mothers have greater emotional maturity and feel more prepared for motherhood; also, advanced maternal age appears to exert a protective influence on children's behavioral, social, and emotional functioning, compensating for the biological risks.
RESUMO
O presente estudo é um recorte de uma pesquisa mais ampla sobre a experiência da maternidade de mulheres brasileiras migrantes. Ele tem como objetivo investigar o apoio recebido por elas no processo de tornar-se mãe. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa na qual foram realizadas, em 2022, sete entrevistas com mulheres brasileiras que vivenciaram gestação, parto e primeiro ano de vida do filho (a) em Portugal, Reino Unido, Itália, Espanha e França. Os resultados apontam para a relevância da presença de pessoas que compartilham da mesma cultura de origem na construção da maternidade e na rede de apoio durante a perinatalidade. Conclui-se que o distanciamento da rede familiar, de amigos e de referenciais da cultura de origem da mulher migrante gerou o aumento das sobrecargas psíquica e física inerentes à maternidade. Ao mesmo tempo, de acordo com as participantes, o distanciamento da família e da cultura de origem proporcionou maior liberdade e abertura para a construção da maternidade, provendo novas representações culturais que contribuíram para a construção de sua forma de ser mãe.(AU)
This study is a segment of a broader research project on the maternity experience of Brazilian migrant women. It aims to investigate the support received by these women in the process of becoming mothers. It encompasses a qualitative research study involving seven interviews conducted in 2022 with Brazilian women who experienced pregnancy, childbirth, and the first year of their child's life in Portugal, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and France. The findings highlight the importance of having individuals sharing the same cultural background in the construction of motherhood and in the support network during the perinatal period. The distance from the family network, friends, and references of the migrant woman's culture of origin generated an increase in the psychic and physical burdens inherent to motherhood. Simultaneously, according to the participants, distancing from family and their cultural origins provided greater freedom and openness in constructing motherhood, offering new cultural representations that contributed to shaping their way of being mothers. (AU)
El presente estudio es parte de una investigación más amplia acerca de la experiencia de la maternidad de las mujeres migrantes brasileñas. Tiene como objetivo investigar el soporte recibido por ellas en el proceso de convertirse en madre. Se trata de una investigación cualitativa en la que, en 2022, se realizaron siete entrevistas con mujeres brasileñas que vivieron el embarazo, el parto y el primer año de vida de su hijo en Portugal, Reino Unido, Italia, España y Francia. Los resultados apuntan para la relevancia de la presencia de personas que comparten la misma cultura de origen en la construcción de la maternidad y en la red de apoyo durante la perinatalidad. Se concluye que el alejamiento de la red familiar, amigos y puntos de referencia de su cultura de origen de la mujer migrante ha generado un aumento de las sobrecargas psíquicas y físicas inherentes a la maternidad. Al mismo tiempo, según las participantes, el alejamiento de la familia y de la cultura de origen les ha proporcionado una mayor libertad y apertura para la construcción de la maternidad, brindando nuevas representaciones culturales que contribuyeron para la construcción de su forma de ser madre. (AU)