Miscarriage risk may rise with work standing, bending, study finds
Study finds link between workplace movement and early pregnancy loss risk
A new large-scale study suggests that certain physical demands at work during early pregnancy — including frequent bending, prolonged standing, and walking — may be associated with an increased risk of miscarriage.
Researchers analysed more than 800,000 pregnancies in Denmark to explore whether occupational physical activity patterns were linked to pregnancy loss. The findings were published in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine.
The study examined 803,829 pregnancies among 475,312 women between 2004 and 2018, using a “quantitative, pregnancy-specific job exposure matrix” to assess workplace exposure to standing, walking, and forward bending at a 30-degree angle.
Large Study Examined Over 800,000 Pregnancies
According to the research, around one in 10 pregnancies in the dataset — approximately 81,307 cases — ended in miscarriage.
Researchers found that all three occupational exposures were associated with increased risks, though the strength of the associations varied depending on the type and duration of activity.
Forward Bending at Work Linked to Higher Risk
The study reported that each additional hour of forward bending at a 30-degree angle was associated with a 36% higher risk of miscarriage.
Walking for additional hours was linked to an 18% higher risk, while standing showed a smaller increase of around 3% per extra hour of exposure.
The authors suggested that these occupational patterns could potentially influence placental function or hormonal regulation, though they stressed that the biological mechanisms remain unclear.
Researchers Say Findings Apply to Workplace Exposure, Not Everyday Movement
Experts not involved in the study urged caution in interpreting the results, noting that the findings should not be taken to mean that normal daily activity during pregnancy is unsafe.
They emphasised that the research focused specifically on prolonged or repeated occupational movements, rather than everyday movement or light physical activity.
Limitations of the study included potential confounding factors such as smoking, time away from work, and differences in job types.
Experts Call for Further Research Before Workplace Guidance Changes
Maternal health specialists said the results raise an interesting hypothesis but require further replication in other populations before being used to develop formal workplace recommendations.
They added that while occupational posture and movement may be worth further study, current evidence is not strong enough to change existing guidance for pregnant workers.
