If several decades ago women had their first child in their early 20s, the average age when Romanian women have their first kid is now 29, according to a study by GfK. The study included Romanian women with average revenues and who graduated high school or university. Almost one third choose to give birth in a private clinic, and the majority go for a C-section, both under and over 30 years, according to the study.

Statistics data from 2009 show that nationwide, including rural areas, the average age for women having their first child was 27. The recent GfK study, issued at the request of private medical care operator MedLife, interviewed pregnant women or mothers of up to three year olds, from cities of over 200,000, with average and above average income. Over 200 women were interviewed.

Around 15 percent of the respondents said they chose private maternity hospitals in the last three years, while a third currently choose private maternity clinics. They cite comfort, hygiene, the doctors and modern equipment as the main reasons for their choice.

More than half of pregnant women would choose a natural birth initially, with or without epidural anesthetics, but as delivery approaches, they tend to change their minds and go for a C-section. In the end, 59 percent of women under 30 choose to have a caesarian section. After 30, the percentage goes up to 82 percent. The main reason for the choice is fear of pain.

editor@romania-insider.com

(photo source: sxc.hu)