Pregnancy and work in the University Hospital of Bordeaux: A comparative study of pregnancy complications between hospital workers (except medical and research staff) and the general population of pregnant women

Purpose of the study. To compare pregnancy complications between pregnant workers in the University Hospital of Bordeaux and the general population of pregnant women (perinatal survey in France). Method. We conducted a follow-up survey of pregnant hospital workers (except medical and research staff) who had a baby in 2012. The study is based on a questionnaire completed after maternity leave. Results. Three hundred and sixty-four out of the 447 women included answered the questionnaire We observe a significant increase in gestational hypertension (10.6% vs. 4.9%, P < 0.001) and preterm labor (21.4% vs. 8.9%, P < 0.001) for pregnant hospital workers. There is no significant difference regarding preterm birth (7.5% vs. 7.4%, P = 0.97) and low birth weight (6.4% vs. 7.1%, P = 0.62). Hospital workers stopped their occupational activity earlier than the other pregnant women, between 15-28 weeks of amenorrhea (60.7% vs. 40%, P < 0.001), several weeks before the beginning of the maternity leave. Conclusion. Compared to a previous study carried out in the University Hospital of Angers in 2002, the rate of preterm birth is higher in spite of an earlier stop of the occupational activity. In the University Hospital of Bordeaux, the pregnant workers have significantly more gestational hypertension and preterm labor than the general population of pregnant women. (C) 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.