Many women experience the emotional and physical toll of a miscarriage, often without ever knowing what caused it.
Now, new research from Denmark suggests that the type of job a woman has could play a role — and it’s not the physical strain or long shifts that matter most, but the emotional demands.
Emotional stress and workplace pressure
Researchers from the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Department at Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital analyzed data from more than one million Danish women who were pregnant between 1977 and 2018.
Their findings, published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine, show a link between emotionally demanding jobs and an increased risk of miscarriage.
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The study found that women working in emotionally intense professions — such as teaching, healthcare, psychology, and social work — were slightly more likely to experience a miscarriage compared to other groups.
What the data revealed
While the overall risk increase was small, it was statistically significant. On average, researchers found up to three additional miscarriages per 100 pregnancies among women in high-stress or emotionally charged professions.
To ensure accuracy, the study adjusted for other known risk factors such as age, smoking, income, education level, and number of previous pregnancies.
Jobs linked to higher risk
The research highlighted several job categories where emotional strain and even the risk of physical violence are part of the daily environment:
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- Teachers and educators
- Psychologists and social workers
- Healthcare professionals, including nurses and midwives
- Public-facing roles involving vulnerable groups
These jobs often require high emotional engagement and exposure to other people’s distress — factors that can influence hormonal balance and stress responses during pregnancy.
Why this matters for public health
Although the difference in risk is modest for each individual, the findings carry broader implications because many women work in these fields.
Researchers say the results highlight the importance of addressing the psychosocial work environment as part of reproductive health strategies.
The team hopes the study will inspire future efforts to make workplaces safer and more supportive for pregnant employees — not only by reducing physical strain but also by recognizing emotional load as a genuine health factor.
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Artiklen er baseret på informationer fra Occupational & Environmental Medicine and Woman
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