Impact of high-risk pregnancy on the work routine of pregnant women in Catalão, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION

Pregnancy is a period in a woman's life characterized by expectations, desires, and profound physical, emotional, and social changes. These transformations require multiple adjustments, including in the professional sphere, as pregnancy may limit women's ability to perform their usual work activities and affect their employment relationship.

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the changes and impacts on the professional lives of high-risk pregnant women in the city of Catalão, state of Goiás, Brazil.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted at the obstetrics service of the Women's Integrated Center in Catalão, Brazil.

RESULTS

Of the 123 high-risk pregnant women interviewed, 7 (5.7%) were between 13 and 17 years old, 54 (43.9%) were between 18 and 29 years old, 45 (36.6%) were between 30 and 39 years old, and 17 (13.8%) were aged 40 years or older. A total of 82 (66.7%) women were employed outside the home. Regarding the changes experienced, 84 (68.3%) reported that pregnancy led to changes in their daily routine, 32 (38.1%) reported changes in their work routine, and 64 (76.2%) stated that these changes caused emotional impacts.

CONCLUSIONS

Work and pregnancy directly influence women's lives, with professional activity often serving as a primary means of family support. However, in high-risk pregnancies, psychological or physical factors frequently require work leave. Moreover, as work is a source of personal fulfillment for many women, such imposed changes can result in significant financial, emotional, and social impacts.