Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
07:28
Auricular Point Acupressure Therapy: A Safe and Effective Treatment for Postsurgical Abortion Recovery
Published on: February 3, 2026
Work schedule during pregnancy and spontaneous abortion
Elizabeth A Whelan1, Christina C Lawson, Barbara Grajewski
1National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA.
Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.)
|April 17, 2007
Summary
Night shift work and long work hours may increase the risk of spontaneous abortion in nurses. Further research is needed to understand the impact of night work on pregnancy outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Reproductive Epidemiology
- Women's Health
Background:
- Inconsistent evidence exists regarding the impact of work schedules, including shift work and night work, on reproductive health.
- Understanding these associations is crucial for protecting pregnant workers' well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between work schedule and the risk of spontaneous abortion among U.S. nurses.
- To identify specific work-related factors that may influence pregnancy outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study utilizing data from the Nurses' Health Study II.
- Information on occupational activities and exposures during pregnancy was collected from female nurses.
- Analysis included 7688 pregnancies eligible for spontaneous abortion risk assessment.
Main Results:
- Working "nights only" was associated with a 60% increased risk of spontaneous abortion compared to "days only" work.
- Working more than 40 hours per week in the first trimester also increased spontaneous abortion risk.
- Rotating shifts, with or without night shifts, did not show a significant association with increased risk.
Conclusions:
- Night work and extended work hours (over 40 hours/week) may be linked to a higher risk of spontaneous abortion.
- Further investigation is warranted to explore potential hormonal mechanisms linking night work to adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Ovarian Cycle
The menstrual cycle includes a critical component known as the ovarian cycle, which undergoes two main phases each month—the follicular phase and the luteal phase. The follicular phase is variable and averaging around 14 days. Ovulation, triggered by a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), marks the transition between the two phases. The second phase, the luteal phase, is relatively consistent, lasting approximately 14 days, and is marked by the activity of the corpus luteum. While a cycle length...
01:19Secretory Phase
The secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, spanning from day 14 to 28 in a typical 28-day cycle, is a period of significant physiological changes in the female reproductive system. This phase commences immediately after ovulation and is characterized by the preparation of the endometrium for potential embryo implantation.
Following ovulation, the corpus luteum, a temporary endocrine structure, produces progesterone and estrogens. These hormones stimulate the growth and coiling of endometrial...
Following ovulation, the corpus luteum, a temporary endocrine structure, produces progesterone and estrogens. These hormones stimulate the growth and coiling of endometrial...
01:07Teratogenicity
The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...