Pregnancy outcome in active duty seagoing women

The effect of working on the outcome of pregnancy has been previously addressed. Very few studies have looked at the effect of specific work conditions on pregnancy, and to our knowledge no studies have reviewed the pregnancy outcomes of women stationed on-board a submarine tender. In order to study the pregnancy outcomes of such women, we performed this study. All women (N = 140) who delivered in the 18 months between February 1991 and August 1992 and were stationed on-board either the USS E.S. Land or the USS Hunley were studied. Their pregnancy, delivery, and newborn records were reviewed. These women received excellent prenatal care. However, many risk factors were identified that were much higher than national averages. We conclude that pregnant sailors stationed on-board submarine tenders are at high risk for certain adverse pregnancy outcomes. Further studies are needed to determine if this difference persists when sailors at sea commands are compared to sailors stationed at shore commands.