Working while pregnant more than quadruples risk of preeclampsia.(Brief Article)

2002 MAY 23 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Women who work during pregnancy are almost five times as likely to develop preeclampsia, concluded research in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

In preeclampsia abnormally high blood pressure, blood poisoning, and swelling develop. Preeclampsia can be dangerous for both mother and child.

The blood pressure of 933 women in their early to late 20s was monitored over 24 hours while they went about their daily routines. The women were all between 18 and 24 weeks of pregnancy with their first child. They were divided into three groups: 245 were working during their pregnancy; 289 were not working; and 399 were employed, but chose not to work.

The women who were working had the highest blood pressure readings of the three groups. Older women tended to have higher blood pressures, but there were more smokers among the younger women.

There were no differences among the three groups in length of pregnancy, birth weight, or method of delivery - induction or cesarean section. But women in employment were almost five times as likely to develop ...