Effect of maternal employment during pregnancy on neonatal outcome

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted on 210 pregnant women [60 working and 150 non-working mothers]. The newborn infants were examined thoroughly before knowing whether their mothers were working or not then mothers were interviewing. There was no significant prolongation of gestational age between both offspring of working and non-working mothers, however, prolongation was significant only in newborn infants of mothers working in sitting position. There was a significant reduction in birth weight of the newborn infants of mothers working in standing position. In addition, there was a reduction in head circumference in offsprings of working mothers of low family standard, when compared with those of non-working mothers. In conclusion, healthy women with uncomplicated, low risk pregnancy who feel well enough to continue work during pregnancy, even in a job requiring some standing may do so without fear that their infants suffer shortened gestation or impaired intra-uterine growth provided they regularly attend antenatal care clinics