Every woman's experience of pregnancy is unique, but one thing many share is a desire to work while pregnant without compromising their health or their baby's well-being. However, new research from Denmark suggests that certain physical activities at work during the early stages of pregnancy may be linked with an increased risk of miscarriage.
Researchers from Bispebjerg Hospital and the University of Copenhagen examined nearly half a million women's pregnancies between 2004 and 2018, using data from a substantial dataset to identify potential risks. They found that for every additional hour spent bending forwards at work – particularly at a 30-degree angle or more – there was a 36% higher risk of miscarriage. Each extra hour of walking also increased the risk by 18%, while standing carried a 3% higher risk.
Miscarriage is a distressing experience affecting around one in seven women, with established risk factors including age, smoking, and certain occupational exposures. While some previous studies have suggested a link between workplace activities and miscarriage risk, their findings were often unclear or inconclusive.
This new study aims to build on that existing evidence by examining the relationship between work-related physical activity and early pregnancy loss in a large-scale observational setting. However, it's essential to note that this research cannot prove cause and effect – only that certain activities may be associated with an increased risk of miscarriage. The researchers acknowledge some limitations, including the lack of individual data on smoking during pregnancy and the inability to account for other factors like lifting or chemical exposures.
Professor Asma Khalil from City St George’s University of London praised the study's robust methodology but cautioned that the findings should not be interpreted as a warning against normal movement in early pregnancy. Instead, she suggests that they raise an interesting hypothesis requiring further research and replication before any workplace guidelines can be developed.