TITLE:
Exploring the Relationship between Obstetrical Nurses’ Work and Pregnancy Outcomes
AUTHORS:
Jo Watson, Monica Nicholson, Kelly Dobbin, Karen Fleming, Julia M. K. Alleyne
KEYWORDS:
Obstetrical Nurse, Pregnancy Outcomes, Preterm Birth, Birth Weight
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Nursing,
Vol.6 No.9,
September
29,
2016
ABSTRACT: The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario Healthy Work Environments Best Practice Guideline recommends that employers promote safe, healthy workplaces. Healthy workplaces include addressing the unique needs of nurses who work while pregnant. The purpose of this descriptive study, summarizing information from 120 pregnancies reported by 95 nurses, was to determine if the workload of obstetrical nurses was associated with negative pregnancy outcomes, including preterm delivery and birth weight. Full-time obstetrical nursing work is a predictor of reduced birth weight, but not of preterm birth when compared to outcomes of obstetrical nurses working part time. One third of nurses reported pregnancy complications and most nurses experienced work-related and personal stress. Further research evaluating work modifications during pregnancy is indicated to improve birth outcomes.