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Working while pregnant 'may harm mother and baby'

 Women who work during pregnancy are almost five times more likely to develop a condition that threatens the lives of both mother and baby, say researchers.

They believe the stress of being at work could be increasing hormone levels that put women at greater risk of pre-eclampsia, a common and dangerous complication of late pregnancy.

Pre-eclampsia raises blood pressure, causing swollen hands and feet, blood clots and even death. It can also be dangerous for the child.

Up to one in ten mothers-to-be is affected by pre-eclampsia and often the only treatment is to deliver the baby early with an emergency Caesarean operation.

Previous research has suggested that working throughout pregnancy - especially during the last three months - makes it more likely that babies will be born prematurely and have a lower birthweight.

A study headed by Professor John Higgins, of the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at University College, Cork, Ireland, reveals the definite link between carrying on with work and an increased risk of pre-eclampsia.

The blood pressure of 933 women in their 20s at a large maternity hospital in Dublin was monitored over 24 hours while they went about their daily routines.

Professor Higgins said 'We were surprised by the strength of the association, particularly as we had excluded from the study any women who were at high risk for preeclampsia.

'These were low-risk women and we expected the link to be explained by factors such as age, but it wasn't.'

The women were all between 18 and 24 weeks pregnant with their first child, says a report in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health today.

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 also tended to have higher blood pressures.

There were no differences among the three groups in length of pregnancy, birthweight, or method of delivery. But women in employment were almost five times as likely to develop pre-eclampsia.

This finding was irrespective of other factors known to influence blood pressure, such as smoking, drinking, weight, height and age.

The study did not identify what work the women did, but previous research suggests prolonged standing causes problem pregnancies.

Professor Higgins said the underlying biological mechanism is not clear, but the pressure of work may increase the amount of circulating stress hormones.

This affects the nervous system, which then increases blood pressure levels.

The findings should not be used to frighten pregnant women into giving up work, said the professor.

'Working during pregnancy has become the norm and this study is not something that can interfere with a woman's right and choice to work,' he added.

More women than ever now work while expecting a child - some up to the day of the birth.

Nicola Horlick, the highly successful investment fund manager and mother of five, even timed her pregnancies so she could take maternity leave over Christmas.

Cherie Blair became a mother for the fourth time at the age of 45 in May 2000. Her son Leo was born just five days after she had been on her feet all day at the Royal Courts of Justice.

Mary Newburn, of the National Childbirth Trust, said: 'Many women have no choice but to work very close to the time of their birth - often to save as much of their leave as they can for after the baby has been born.

'However, it is important to keep this study in perspective. Most women do not develop preeclampsia and many feel fit enough to continue with their usual activities, including employment, for the majority of their pregnancy.'