Background: In industrialized countries, the average age of first childbirth is increasing and more women are having no children. An understanding of the reasons for delay might provide strategies aimed at reversing this trend.
Study design: A questionnaire survey of 234 nulliparous women aged 34 and over attending a family planning clinic in Scotland in 2006 for contraception to determine fertility intentions; awareness of fertility decline with age; and factors influencing the decision to delay childbearing.
Results: One hundred and sixteen women (49.6%) definitely/possibly wanted children; 118 women (50.4%) did not. Of those wanting children, 71% were concerned or very concerned about their future fertility. Most were realistic about the time it may take to conceive. Seventy-four percent of women who definitely/may want children gave reasons to do with their relationship/s as the most common reason for delay. The second most common reason was having other distractions in life. Only 34% of those wanting children, and 15% of those who did not, reported that work/training issues caused the delay.
Conclusion: Most women were aware of the risks of delaying childbirth; however, the most common reason for delay concerned lack of the 'right' partner, something which does not lend itself to intervention.