More and more women wait until their 30s to have children, most pregnant women are dedicated to their successful careers. As such, it is common for many pregnant women to continue working later in their pregnancy, but a new study suggests that this may not be a very good idea.
The University of Essex researchers have published a study that shows stay at work until your due date affects your child that is comparable to smoking during pregnancy. The risks are very similar, as children of mothers who work are likely to have low birth weight, poor health and developmental delay.
The results of the study are still under debate, however. According to Dr. Joanne Stone, author of Pregnancy Bible says that smoking and work should not be compared. It indicates that the difference between the two activities is that smoking is an unhealthy habit while working in your ninth month may be required. Mr. Stone also points out that underlying medical conditions may be to blame for the poor health of newborns.
"For many women, it is not a choice," she said. "They should not feel like they are putting their child at risk by continuing to work."