Women with stressful jobs may produce lighter babies
Pregnant women with physically tough jobs are at risk of having lighter babies, Irish research has found. Women on temporary work contracts are also at risk of having a baby before term, the study published in the International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology revealed.
Researchers from University College Dublin conducted a prospective study on women in the Lifeways cohort, who have agreed to be studied regarding their lifestyle and the outcome of pregnancy.
The study said 676 women in this group were working at the time of their first pre-natal visit, and delivered a single baby. The women were attending University College Hospital Galway and Coombe Women's Hospital in Dublin.
"Information, including the participant's general health, socio-demographic status, lifestyle behaviours and employment, was collected. This was followed up with an examination of hospital medical records relating to mothers' health during the pregnancy and their pregnancy outcomes."
It found strong links between high physical work demands and low birth weight. They also found an association between temporary work contracts with pre-term birth.
Researchers suggest that women under temporary work contracts may have poorer working conditions, such as stress and anxiety, because of job insecurity, which may cause pre-term birth. Trends were observed in the working of long hours -- more than 40 hours a week -- and shift work.
The findings also confirm how unhealthy behaviours during pregnancy, such as smoking and heavy alcohol consumption, lead to an increased incidence of low birth weight.
The analysis showed that being exposed to at least two of the four occupational factors identified as problematic increased the risk of having a baby with a birth weight of 2.5kg or less and pre-term delivery.
Based on the findings from their research, the authors conclude that high physical work demands, being on a temporary contract, working long hours and working shifts are factors that can help predict birth weight and pre-term delivery.
Dr Isabelle Niedhammer, who co-authored the study, said: "Our research analysed a large number of occupational exposures and linked them with adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study underlines that more attention should be given to women's working conditions during pregnancy."
Professor Philip Steer, the journal's editor-in-chief, said: "It is well known that physical and psychological stress in pregnant women can lead to adverse birth outcomes. It makes it all the more important to attend ante-natal appointments so that such risk factors can be identified early."
- Eilish O'Regan
