The effects of working conditions and antenatal leave for the risk of premature birth in Berlin.
OBJECTIVE
The influence a job--including its physical and psychological aspects--has on pregnant woman's chances of delivering prematurely.


METHODS
Seven hundred and seven women who had given birth participated. Statements regarding her job and its stresses were obtained with a standardised questionnaire.


RESULTS
Two hundred and thirty-seven of the 707 women delivered prematurely (<37 weeks), 471 at term. No increased incidence of premature deliveries was observed in working mothers or found in relation to physical stress. A link was observed due to a mother's dissatisfaction with her job ( p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
With changes in the workplace and adherence to laws protecting pregnant women, effective factors are in place that help prevent premature births. A prerequisite for this is the pregnant woman's contentment with her work.
Henrich
W
W
Department of Obstetrics, Charité, Campus Virchow-Klinikum Berlin, Humboldt-Universität, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany. wolfgang.henrich@charite.de
Schmider
A
A
Fuchs
I
I
Schmidt
F
F
Dudenhausen
J W
JW
D001604:Berlin / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014931:Women, Working; D016526:Workload