Are physical activity and employment related to preterm birth and low birth weight?

Article Abstract:

The risk of preterm birth and low birth weight (LBW) may be higher among pregnant women who are employed at jobs that require strenuous physical activity. A survey was done of articles in the medical literature that examined the association between employment during pregnancy and the risk of preterm birth and LBW. Some studies found an association between employment, and others did not. Several studies found an increased risk of preterm delivery and LBW in association with prolonged standing, long working hours and lifting heavy objects. Other employment-associated factors that may increase the risk of an adverse pregnancy outcome include exposure to occupational toxins and mental stress. Pregnant women who are suffering from occupational fatigue may need to take a voluntary leave of absence from their job. A mandatory pregnancy leave does not seem necessary for all employees.

Employment, Pregnant women, Birth weight, Low, Low birth weight

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The effect of changes in atmospheric pressure on the occurrence of the spontaneous onset of labor in term pregnancies

Article Abstract:

A sudden decrease in atmospheric pressure may not cause a corresponding increase in women going into labor. Researchers compared hourly measurements of atmospheric pressure in the geographic area of one hospital to the number of women admitted to that hospital for labor and delivery. Periods of decreasing barometric pressure did not correlate to increases in women admitted because of labor. Instead, significantly fewer women went into labor after three hours of atmospheric pressure decreases. Time of day seemed to influence onset of labor, as many labors began between midnight and 4:00 a.m. Many doctors and nurses working in labor and delivery units believe that drops in atmospheric pressure cause more women to go into labor than during other atmospheric conditions.

Physiological aspects, Atmospheric pressure

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The use of polymerase chain reaction to detect bacteria in amniotic fluid in pregnancies complicated by preterm labor

Article Abstract:

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may be a particularly sensitive and effective method of detecting bacteria in amniotic fluid. Intraamniotic infection may cause premature labor in some pregnant women. Researchers collected amniotic fluid from 54 women in premature labor but without any clinical symptoms of amniotic infection. PCR revealed bacterial DNA in 56% of the fluid samples, while standard culturing techniques revealed bacteria in only 9%. PCR can detect extremely low concentrations of bacteria that may be missed by less sensitive bacterial cultures.

Infection, Polymerase chain reaction, Amniotic fluid

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