Research Symposium

BIO

I am studying to become a midwife and anthropological researcher of indigenous birthing practices.

The Impact of Employment on Maternal and Infant Outcomes

Abstract

Mothers in the United States face a hard decision after giving birth, whether to leave their baby before they are two months old or leave their job. The United States is one of the less infant-friendly nations, one of the biggest indicators being that it does not require paid maternity leave. The purpose of this study is to understand the impact that work has on a mother and infant during pregnancy and postpartum. The target population of this study is mothers who were employed before pregnancy, who are between the ages of 18-20, and who live in Florida. I will survey the mothers, asking questions on demographics, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. I will then follow up with an interview to gain a deeper understanding of the impact their work had on their pregnancy and birth. I will analyze the data to find common challenges associated with work and pregnancy/postpartum. I hypothesize that work will present itself as one of the major factors in the mothers’ decisions throughout pregnancy and postpartum. The information provided by this study and similar studies can be used to push legislation on better maternity leave in the United States.

Keywords: Infant, Maternal, Employment