Pregnancy in the Workplace: Addressing Gaps in Reproductive Health-Specific Occupational Guidelines

Objective: There is a scarcity of standardized, hazard-specific occupational health guidance for pregnant and nursing workers. This work aims to address this gap by compiling workplace guidelines and experimental literature to provide physicians with comprehensive resources for occupational reproductive health counseling. Methods: We reviewed commonly cited occupational health sources for current reproductive health guidance regarding four unique hazards. Additionally, we performed a supplemental literature review on the reproductive risks of each hazard. Results: Lithium, lead, heavy lifting, and extreme temperature each threaten reproductive health, yet guidance is varied. Guidance for providers who counsel workers with hazard exposure is summarized in accompanying tables. Conclusions: We identify reproductive hazards where guidance is limited or nonspecific, provide updates to available resources, and outline strategies for navigating existing information when assessing risks for pregnant and nursing workers.