Study Suggests Full-Time Employment Is Safe For Expecting Mothers

When women are expecting a new baby, they are advised to stay away from certain physical activities, but a new study confirms employment isn’t one of them.  A new University of Minnesota study says there is little associated risk to pregnant mothers who maintain full time employment.

Lead researcher Dr. Katy Backes Kozhimannil and her team came to this conclusion by examining survey responses from women who gave birth in 2005.  The team determined there is little risk that a baby will be born prematurely or underweight if the mother works a full time job.

Prior research has proven that certain work conditions, such as physically demanding jobs or long, rotating shifts – potentially can affect a baby’s birth.  But Dr. Kozhimannil says a job that requires less strenuous conditions is not harmful to the child or the mother.

“What our study does is it provides reassurances to women and to some extent employers that work itself is not causing these poor birth outcomes,” says Dr. Kozhimannil.  “However, the circumstances of work do matter.”

These findings are important because they should put to rest common concerns about working while pregnant.  If an expecting mother continues to work full-time during her pregnancy, she is not necessarily putting her child at risk.  Employers can also feel more secure about hiring pregnant women.