Fatigue and work in pregnancy.

Fatigue is a common complaint among women throughout pregnancy and during the postpartum period. It is suggested that there are physical, psychological, and situational factors predisposing a woman to fatigue during pregnancy. Several studies have attempted to correlate levels of fatigue with other variables. While many of these studies have noted an association between stress and fatigue related to work or home environment and the increased risk of antenatal morbidity, the mechanism of these effects is unclear. It is important for health care professionals, family members, and employers to recognize fatigue as a real problem during pregnancy and the potential negative impact of adverse working conditions on pregnancy outcome.