Study: Pregnant Women Who Work Night Shifts Are More Likely to Suffer Miscarriages

With more nations around the world improving benefits and facilities for pregnant women in the workforce, many of them still face a lot of health-related occupational risks, especially those working late nights.

In a study that was recently published in the journal, Occupational & Environmental Medicine, the data of 22,744 employed pregnant women in Denmark was studied to determine if night shift work affected their risk of suffering miscarriages.

Researchers compared the payroll data of these women, most of whom work in public services like hospitals, and linked them with data on births and admissions to hospital for miscarriages. It was found that there was some risk of suffering miscarriages the more pregnant women worked night shifts.

Source: market watch

One significant result this study found was that after week eight of pregnancy, women who worked two or more night shifts the previous week had a 32% increased risk of miscarriage compared to those who did not work any night shift that week. 

What is perhaps even more alarming is that the risk of miscarriage increased with the number of night shifts worked per week and the number of consecutive night shifts.

Source: medical news today

The researchers also emphasised that since this was an observational study, they cannot establish cause.

Meanwhile, this study also pointed out that national occupational health regulations should be changed to better protect the welfare of pregnant women in the workplace.

To find out more, check out the entire study here.

What do you think about this study’s findings? Let us know in the comments section!

Also read: Doctors Say You Can Gain Weight & Get Fat From Taking Your Work Too Seriously