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12th December 2005 Night shifts linked to premature birth Working nights while pregnant could increase the risk of giving birth prematurely by up to 50 per cent according to new research. Researchers at the University of North Carolina looked at the working conditions of 1,900 pregnant women and found that working nightshifts in the first three months was linked to a doubling in a woman's risk of early labour. However, the study also found that standing for long periods and lifting heavy weights did not increase the risk of premature labour. The women who took part in the study were all interviewed in the seventh month of their pregnancy. They were asked to report details about their jobs, such as how many hours per day they spent standing, and how many times per day they lifted an object that weighed 25 pounds or more. They found that only 10 per cent performed heavy lifting during the first trimester, and about 6 per cent later in pregnancy. About one-quarter spent most of the day standing while they were in the first trimester, and roughly 20 per cent did so during the second trimester and seventh month. The researchers found that even women who spent more than 30 hours a week on their feet were no more likely than other women to give birth prematurely, or to have a smaller than normal baby. The same was true of women who repeatedly lifted heavy objects, even if they did so more than 13 times per week. However, the 166 women who worked nights were found to be at a 50 per cent increased risk of giving birth early. The researchers say the reason for the link is unclear, and stressed that relatively few women in the study actually worked nights, particularly as their pregnancy progressed. But one suggestion is possibly because night shifts disrupt the normal activity in the womb at night. Dr Lisa Pompeii, who led the research said, "The findings from our study are based on a small sample size and need to be interpreted with caution. "However, these findings, along with a handful of other studies that have observed a modest elevation in the risk of preterm delivery among women who work at night and/or shift work during pregnancy, warrants the need for further exploration of the biological effects of shift work on uterine activity during pregnancy. "Further studies would help clarify the possibility of a causal effect of shift work on preterm birth." She added, "Our findings suggest that women who work at night during pregnancy may be at an elevated risk for preterm birth. "Based on our study findings, it would be premature to make recommendations to pregnant women about night work. "However, further studies need to be done to explore whether or how shift work influences uterine activity during pregnancy." Richard Warren, of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, said, "This paper is interesting because it adds to previous debates and the uncertainty as to whether exertive physical activity is a risk in pregnancy. " But he added, "The effects of night work needs more evaluation to confirm and establish any risk, and whether or not this is true throughout pregnancy, particularly as the numbers looked at in this study are small." Where to next?
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