Pregnancy and the working woman: a review

Abstract

The potential impact of employment on pregnancy is an important issue that merits assessment, given the increasing numbers of women entering the labor force and continuing employment throughout pregnancy. A review of the literature evaluating the effects of employment on pregnancy is presented, including a brief historical and legal perspective, as well as employment statistics in the USA. There is emerging evidence from various studies suggesting that long working hours and prolonged standing may place a pregnancy at risk. Thus, physicians need to counsel their patients about these potential risks and provide recommendations for early modification of employment activities, in order to have a positive impact on pregnancy outcome.