Antenatal Counseling for Women Working Outside the Home

As the participation rate of women in the work force increases, so does the interest in potential effects of employment on pregnancy. Because this interest is relatively recent, little is known about many of the potential risk situations. When giving antenatal care to the employed woman, the caregiver should consider the social and economic factors which bear upon each woman's situation, as well as the physical, chemical, and biologic agents to which she may be exposed. Counseling should be directed toward uncovering exposures to known toxins, seeking assistance from the literature or occupational medicine experts when uncertain, and toward providing realistic practical support to the woman when required.