Each year, there are roughly 3.5 million births in the United States. However, the disheartening reality is that many pregnancies come with complications that may end in a miscarriage or stillbirth. A miscarriage occurs when the fetus does not survive, and termination of the pregnancy occurs before 20 weeks into the pregnancy. Among known pregnancies, 10-20% of them result in miscarriage, and the percentage is likely higher for total pregnancies because many happen before knowledge of the pregnancy. Stillbirths also involve the loss of a fetus; the distinction between a stillbirth and miscarriage is the time of pregnancy loss. If a pregnant individual loses the baby after the 20-week mark, the loss is due to a stillbirth. Some of the known factors that increase the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth include pregnancies past the age of 35, history of pregnancy loss, chronic diseases from the pregnant individual, smoking, and genetic conditions.
Recently published research found a correlation between job loss of the pregnant individual or partner and pregnancy loss. Researchers at the Institute for Social and Economic Research at the University of Essex completed a correlational study after surveying 8142 pregnant individuals in the United Kingdom between 2009 and 2022. In the study, 136 women reported they or their partner experienced a job loss, and among the 136 women, 23.5% had a miscarriage, and 0.7% had a stillbirth. In the remaining group of 8006 survey participants who did not experience job loss personally or with their partner, 10.4% had a miscarriage, and 0.5% had a stillbirth. Comparing the results, pregnancies where either partner experienced a job loss are associated with a higher percentage of miscarriage and stillbirth.
Speak to a physician to determine the risks of pregnancy complications.
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Leaders of the study propose various potential causes for the association between pregnancy and job loss, including stress and economic difficulty. Losing a job is a drastic and sometimes unexpected event that can exacerbate stress within the family and lead to strain on the health of the pregnant woman. The emotional toll of a job loss on an individual may give rise to other unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, drinking, drug use, and poor diet, factors that could affect pregnancy outcomes. Additionally, if unemployment causes financial hardships, neglect of the prenatal care of the pregnant individual may occur. Prenatal care is essential for monitoring the progress of a pregnancy and detecting any risks for harm to the baby or mother. As researchers continue to explore the relationship between pregnancy and job loss, we can gather more knowledge about the socioeconomic factors that influence pregnancy.
Although it is important to note that in many instances, miscarriages and stillbirths are unavoidable, and multiple factors lead to pregnancy loss, understanding these factors helps develop support systems for pregnant individuals in the workplace. Further research is necessary to discern whether there is a causal relationship between job loss and pregnancy outcomes. It is essential to speak to a physician about prenatal care and the risks of pregnancy loss to ensure early detection of pregnancy complications.
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