Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect and rate of adverse obstetrical and perinatal out-comes due to occupational factors and effects of sociodemographic factors, work characteristics, and type of occupation on obstetrical and perinatal outcomes in pregnant working women. Study design: A Hospital-based observational study, conducted over one year and six months at a tertiary care center, AIIMS Rishikesh among pregnant women who were working at AIIMS Rishikesh. Results: Out of 90 working women, 9 (10%) had an abortion, 7 (8.6%) developed anemia, 15 (18.5%) developed hypothyroidism, 15 (18.5%) had intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (IHCP), 12 (14.8%) had pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), 9 (11.1%) had gestational diabetes Mellitus (GDM), 7 (8.6%) had intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), 6 (7.4%) had oligohydramnios, 12 (14.8%) had a preterm birth (PTB), 16 (19.8%) had small for gestational age (SGA), 5 (6.2%) had antepar-tum hemorrhage (APH), 9 (11.1%) had premature rupture of membrane (PROM), 1 (1.2%) had a stillbirth and 17 (21%) had low birth weight (LBW). Elderly gravida, preobese/obese, urban, and stressed women were at high risk for PIH, FGR, SGA, and GDM. Conclusion: In working women, adverse pregnancy outcomes such as abortion, PIH, GDM, PTB, SGA, etc. were reported. The main occupational predictors among health professionals for adverse pregnancy outcomes were advanced age, higher BMI, urban residency, upper or upper-middle socioeconomic class, long working hours, shift duties including night, more physical activity, and moderate stress levels.

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