The new study, published Wednesday, suggests that employers can help women adjust to the challenges of working full-time while pregnant by offering flexible work schedules.
Researchers from Stavanger University Hospital looked at data from almost 3,000 women in the country, gathering information via questionnaires at week 17 and week 32 of pregnancy.
Findings showed that women took an average of eight weeks sick leave, with the majority needing between four to 16 weeks. By week 32, 63 percent of women were taking sick leave.
"We found that a large number of pregnant women take time off work as sick leave," says coauthor Dr. Signe Dorheim. "Women who suffer from work-related fatigue, such as insomnia, are likely to require more time off, especially during late pregnancy."
The study also found that 60 percent of the women reported having adjustments made to their working situation, which resulted in seven days less sick days as compared to those who went without job adjustments.
The study was published in the journal BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
"This study was conducted in Norway, where sick leave entitlements allow workers to receive very good compensation for time taken due to illness, so this may impact the findings," adds BJOG deputy-editor-in-chief John Thorp. "However, the factors that affect pregnant women in the workplace are universal and this study shows a clear link between working conditions and the duration of sick leave, which highlights the potential benefits for employers to have a support system in place."
Access the study: http://www.bjog.org/details/news/3035561/New_study_finds_majority_of_pregnant_women_require_an_average_of_two_months_sick.html