Leaning forward, walking, and standing for long periods of time were associated with an increased risk of pregnancy loss
Photo: motortion/Depositphotos
Scientists have found that frequent bending forward, walking and prolonged standing during early pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of miscarriage.
At the same time, each additional hour of leaning forward increases the indicator by 36%, walking – by 18%, and standing – by 3%.
Such are the data of the study, which published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine, writes The Guardian.
Miscarriage occurs in approximately 15% of pregnancies. Known risk factors include parental age, smoking, night shifts, air pollution, and exposure to various chemicals.
There have also been suggestions that leaning forward, prolonged walking and standing at work may increase the risk of pregnancy loss, but previous studies have been mixed.
To study this question in more detail, scientists from Bispebjerg Hospital and the University of Copenhagen analyzed data on 803,829 pregnancies in 475,312 women from Denmark between 2004 and 2018.
Scientists used an improved model for assessing professional workload during pregnancy. She combined data from physical activity trackers and expert assessments of the time women spent standing, walking, or bending forward at an angle of 30 degrees or more.
The analysis showed that leaning forward, walking and standing for long periods of time were associated with an increased risk of pregnancy loss.
In particular, each additional hour leans forward during an eight-hour working day, especially at an angle of about 30 degrees, was associated with a 36% increased risk of miscarriage. Each additional hour of walking increased the risk by 18%, and standing by 3%.
About one out of ten pregnancies (81,307) ended in miscarriagewhich is lower than the average prevalence rate.
At the same time, the authors emphasize that this was an observational study, so it does not prove a causal relationship between physical activity and miscarriage. In addition, the study had a number of limitations, including the lack of individual data on smoking during pregnancy.
“Although the mechanisms of this phenomenon are not yet fully understood, such occupational loads may affect the blood supply of the placenta or hormonal regulation in such a way that the risk of miscarriage increases.” – noted the authors.
Scientists note that further research is needed, taking into account other potentially important factors. At the same time, the obtained results emphasize the importance of recommendations on the working conditions of pregnant women taking into account the early stages of pregnancy.
Asma Khalil, professor of obstetrics and maternal medicine and consultant midwife at City St George’s University in London, who was not involved in the study, cautioned that the results should not be interpreted as evidence that normal physical activity in early pregnancy is dangerous.
According to Khalil, key limitations of the study include the lack of individual smoking data, the inability to account for heavy lifting, and the potential influence of other occupational factors, including shift work or exposure to chemicals.
“Although the study raises an interesting hypothesis about the relationship between working postures and the risk of miscarriage, these results need to be confirmed in other populations before they can become the basis for specific recommendations about working conditions.” – concluded the expert.
Earlier scientists developed an innovative test that makes it possible to identify women with an increased risk of miscarriage.
