Fatigue and work in pregnancy

Fatigue is a common complaint among women throughout pregnancy and during t he postpartum period. It is suggested that there are physical, psychologica l, and situational factors predisposing a woman to fatigue during pregnancy . Several studies have attempted to correlate levels of fatigue with other variables. While many of these studies have noted an association between st ress and fatigue related to work or home environment and the increased risk of antenatal morbidity, the mechanism of these effects is unclear. It is i mportant for health care professionals, family members, and employers to re cognize fatigue as a real problem during pregnancy and the potential negati ve impact of adverse working conditions on pregnancy outcome. 2000 Lippinco tt Wiillams & Wilkins.