Pregnant women at work: sociodemographic perspectives

The 1988 National Maternal and Infant Health Survey, a stratified random sample of 9,953 live births, shows that women who work during pregnancy are more likely to be non-Hispanic white, married, of higher income and education, to have medical insurance, and of lower parity than nonemployed pregnant women (p < .0001). They begin prenatal care earlier, are less likely to smoke, and are more likely to state that the birth was wanted (p < .0001). Similar trends are seen for full-time as compared to part-time workers. Women employed as precision production workers, operators/fabricators, or in service occupations are disadvantaged with regard to sociodemographic and behavioral risks for pregnancy outcomes relative to women in professional and managerial occupations. Black race, parity, body mass index, and smoking, but not employment, are associated with low birth weight when gestational age is controlled. The effects of stress and its buffers, paternal characteristics, physical activity, and toxic exposures, both in and out of the workplace, should be considered, as should the normative and social policy context.