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"Will my work affect my pregnancy?" Resources for anticipating and answering patients' questions.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Grajewski, B; Rocheleau, CM; Lawson, CC; Johnson, CY
Published in: Am J Obstet Gynecol
May 2016

Authoritative information on occupational reproductive hazards is scarce and complex because exposure levels vary, multiple exposures may be present, and the reproductive toxicity of many agents remains unknown. For these reasons, women's health providers may find it challenging to effectively address workplace reproductive health issues with their patients who are pregnant, breast-feeding, or considering pregnancy. Reproductive epidemiologists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health answered >200 public requests for occupational reproductive health information during 2009 through 2013. The most frequent occupations represented were health care (41%) and laboratory work (18%). The most common requests for exposure information concerned solvents (14%), anesthetic gases (10%), formaldehyde (7%), infectious agents in laboratories (7%) or health care settings (7%), and physical agents (14%), including ionizing radiation (6%). Information for developing workplace policies or guidelines was sought by 12% of the requestors. Occupational exposure effects on breast-feeding were an increasing concern among working women. Based on information developed in response to these requestors, information is provided for discussing workplace exposures with patients, assessing potential workplace reproductive hazards, and helping patients determine the best options for safe work in pregnancy. Appendices provide resources to address specific occupational exposures, employee groups, personal protective equipment, breast-feeding, and workplace regulations regarding work and pregnancy. These tools can help identify those most at risk of occupational reproductive hazards and improve workers' reproductive health. The information can also be used to inform research priorities and assist the development of workplace reproductive health policies.

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Published In

Am J Obstet Gynecol

DOI

EISSN

1097-6868

Publication Date

May 2016

Volume

214

Issue

5

Start / End Page

597 / 602

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Women, Working
  • United States
  • Reproductive Health
  • Pregnancy Complications
  • Pregnancy
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Occupational Exposure
  • Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
  • Information Seeking Behavior
  • Humans
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Grajewski, B., Rocheleau, C. M., Lawson, C. C., & Johnson, C. Y. (2016). "Will my work affect my pregnancy?" Resources for anticipating and answering patients' questions. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 214(5), 597–602. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2016.03.005
Grajewski, Barbara, Carissa M. Rocheleau, Christina C. Lawson, and Candice Y. Johnson. “"Will my work affect my pregnancy?" Resources for anticipating and answering patients' questions.Am J Obstet Gynecol 214, no. 5 (May 2016): 597–602. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2016.03.005.
Grajewski B, Rocheleau CM, Lawson CC, Johnson CY. "Will my work affect my pregnancy?" Resources for anticipating and answering patients' questions. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2016 May;214(5):597–602.
Grajewski, Barbara, et al. “"Will my work affect my pregnancy?" Resources for anticipating and answering patients' questions.Am J Obstet Gynecol, vol. 214, no. 5, May 2016, pp. 597–602. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2016.03.005.
Grajewski B, Rocheleau CM, Lawson CC, Johnson CY. "Will my work affect my pregnancy?" Resources for anticipating and answering patients' questions. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2016 May;214(5):597–602.
Journal cover image

Published In

Am J Obstet Gynecol

DOI

EISSN

1097-6868

Publication Date

May 2016

Volume

214

Issue

5

Start / End Page

597 / 602

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Women, Working
  • United States
  • Reproductive Health
  • Pregnancy Complications
  • Pregnancy
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Occupational Exposure
  • Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
  • Information Seeking Behavior
  • Humans