Effect of occupational factors of employed women on the outcome of their pregnancy

ABSTRACT

The work during pregnancy does not affect its outcome, but rather the nature or type of work assumed by the worker. Low birth weight and pregnancy wastage especially abortion was higher among manual workers and those whose work requires standing most of the time or exerting physical effort than for the other professions. Abnormal outcome was more frequently encountered among working mothers exposed to two or more combined hazards as chemical and physical hazards or psychological as nurses, technicians and industrial workers. The importance and positive effect of antenatal care received during pregnancy had its implication on pregnancy outcome. Working mothers who received proper antenatal care tended to give birth to normal full term babies