Women who have to undertake physically arduous work during pregnancy may see an impact on the size of their baby, researchers warn today.
Workers who spend long periods on their feet in jobs such as teaching or sales tend to have smaller babies, researchers found.
And women who work for long hours – of more than 40 hours a week – suffer similar effects, according to a study in the Netherlands.
Researchers led by Professor Alex Burdorf, of the University Medical Centre Rotterdam, studied some 4,680 women over a five year period earlier this century.
About 23 per cent worked for more than 40 hours a week.
Researchers found that on average babies born to these women were 1 cm smaller round the head than others.
Midwives said the findings might help them discuss employment issues with pregnant women.
But Gail Johnson, of the Royal College of Midwives, said: “Women need to be reassured that generally working in pregnancy does not increase the risk of poor outcomes.
"Whilst the finding suggest that there is some difference in the head circumference of babies born to women who stand for long periods, this does not seem to be associated with adverse outcomes.
“It is important for women to discuss with their employer any concerns they have around their jobs so that a solution to any problems – such as standing for long periods – can be found."
Occupational and Environmental Medicine June 28 2012; doi 10.1136/oemed-2011-100615
Leave a Reply