Shift work has become increasingly popular across various industries due to the increased demand for 24/7 operations.

Although shift work provides great benefits, such as increased productivity and around-the-clock services, it can be detrimental to an employee’s health.

What is shift work?

Shift work is a type of work schedule that involves working outside the traditional 9-5 workday. It involves working hours that start late in the evening, early in the morning, or overnight.

It is a common type of work schedule in industries such as healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, and hospitality.

Health effects of shift work

Shift work can have adverse effects on health such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. According to a study by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, shift work can increase the risk of premature death up to 11%.

Furthermore, scientists have noted that working non-traditional hours can disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythms. The body typically functions based on an internal clock that responds to external signals such as sunlight.

When the body is forced to work during the night when it should be resting, the body’s natural processes could be disrupted resulting in negative health consequences.

what the research says: Miscarriage and shift work

Studies have shown that shift work can increase the risk of miscarriage. A miscarriage is a loss of pregnancy that occurs before the 20th week of gestation.

According to a research study by the National Institutes of Health, women working predominantly night shifts had a 32% increased risk of miscarriage. The study also showed that it is best for pregnant women to avoid working the night shift during their first trimester.

Another study by the Danish National Birth Cohort found that pregnant women who worked shifts experienced more adverse outcomes, including a higher risk of premature birth, than women who worked regular hours.

This study assessed the risk and size of the effect of shift work during pregnancy.

In one study, NASA scientists subjected mice to light cycles simulating the constant daylight of the International Space Station.

The study found that the mice that were subjected to constant light cycles had a higher number of miscarriages than mice with normal light cycles.

Why does shift work increase the risk of miscarriage?

The effects of shift work on the circadian rhythm could be one of the reasons why it increases the risk of miscarriage.

Disrupting the body’s internal clock could lead to hormonal changes that affect the developing embryo, increasing the risk of miscarriage.

Pregnant women who work multiple shifts tend to sleep less due to their work schedule. A lack of sleep could cause an imbalance in the hormones that regulate pregnancy, increasing the risk of miscarriage.

Shift work can also lead to social isolation and negatively impact lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise that contribute to a healthy pregnancy.

Conclusion

Shift work may provide great benefits in some industries, but it can also have negative effects on health. Several studies have shown that shift work can increase the risk of miscarriage.

Pregnant women working the night shift are at the highest risk of miscarriage, particularly during the first trimester. However, further research is necessary to understand the mechanisms by which shift work increases the risk of miscarriage. Pregnant women should avoid shift work to reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.