Work a stress on blood pressure for pregnant women

Women who work while pregnant risk developing dangerously high blood pressure which can endanger mother and child.

A study of nearly 1000 women by doctors at University College Cork in Ireland showed that expectant mothers who worked were almost five times as likely to become victims of pre-eclampsia.

"We found that maternal work was significantly associated with the subsequent development of pre-eclampsia," Professor John Higgins, who led the study, said in a report in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

Pre-eclampsia occurs in about 5 per cent of pregnant women and is marked by high blood pressure, fluid retention and protein in the urine. It can cause kidney and liver problems in the mother and slow growth of the foetus. The researchers monitored the blood pressure of the women, who were in their late 20s and between 18 and 24 weeks pregnant with their first child.

Nearly 250 were working during their pregnancy, 289 did not work and 399 were employed but taking time off.

The working women had the highest blood pressure and the greatest risk of pre-eclampsia. They were almost five times as likely to develop pre-eclampsia, said Dr Higgins, a gynaecologist.

Obesity, diabetes and a family history of the illness are others factors that can increase the risk of pre-eclampsia.

Dr Higgins and his team suspect working can increase the levels of stress hormones, which can raise blood pressure.

- REUTERS

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