PHYSICAL WORK LOAD AND GESTATIONAL-AGE AT DELIVERY

Objective-To assess the impact of physical activity on the gestational age at delivery in women performing physical tasks in their jobs duri ng pregnancy. Methods-Qualified nurses at 15 weeks of pregnancy were a sked through a questionnaire to describe the tasks in their regular jo b, the physical activities involved, and their exposure to other occup ational stressors. The physical activities to be identified were walki ng, standing, Lifting, stooping, squatting, and sitting. Results-A hig h degree of daily physical work load during pregnancy seemed to be a s ignificant predictor for the gestational age at delivery, whereas chem ical and infectious agents were not. Conclusions-Physical work load du ring pregnancy should be diminished to avoid adverse effects on gestat ional age at delivery.