<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Maternal care systems in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/australia" rel="" target="_blank" title="Australia"><span>Australia</span></a><span> need to improve to cater to the rising age of mothers, experts warn.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The average maternal age has increased to 31.1 years, and the average age for first-time mothers has increased to 29.8 years, according to a </span><a href="https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/global-study-reveals-alarming-gaps-in-maternal-health-across-australia-usa-and-uk" rel="" target="_blank" title="study"><span>study</span></a><span> led by Flinders University.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It also found 26 per cent of mothers who gave birth are now over 35-years-old.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/porepunkah-victoria-police-shooting-live-updates-latest-news-headlines-august-28/f7468db3-e8b6-45b9-92b0-16de670d2c26" target="_blank"><strong><span>'Wear him down': Weather a major factor in gunman search</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This is in line with similar trends seen in the US and the UK, with all three countries experiencing declining birth rates.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Lead author of the study Dr Anya Arthurs said older mothers are more likely to suffer from health issues and complications.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We're seeing increased rates of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and caesarean sections among older mothers, which raises important questions about how maternity care systems are adapting," she said.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/health/australia-baby-mothers-birth-study/852241d5-3693-4d22-884d-125866759194" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The average age of first-time mothers has steadily increased, with many now starting their families aged 35 years or over, reflecting broader societal changes including career priorities, financial pressures and improved access to contraception."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This means Australia's healthcare and maternal system needs to adapt quickly to ensure it is able to treat problems that emerge due to childbirth later in life, Arthurs said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/us-immigration-esta-error-queensland-woman-denied-boarding-flight-in-canada/56068ae8-803d-414f-a3f9-1413269f7e3a" target="_blank"><strong><span>Queensland woman denied boarding, forced to pay $10k over visa error</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The report criticised Australia's model of incentivising caesarean births, saying it led to a rise in caesarean births being performed even if it wasn't in the best medical interests of the mother.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It also found death rates for Indigenous mothers were above the national average.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australia, the authors say, should adopt a "midwifery-led" care model, where midwives are more involved in important decision-making for mothers that leads to better care, rather than decisions being driven by incentives.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It also believes Australia should shift its focus to be based around woman-centred health outcomes that also cater to minority groups.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We're calling for governments and health systems to take action by focusing on maternity care that is equitable, culturally safe and responsive to changing needs," Professor Claire Roberts from Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a 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