Reasons for employment or non-employment during pregnancy

• Published in: Health care for women international Vol. 15; no. 5; p. 453
• Main Authors: Sorenson, D L, Tschetter, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.09.1994
• Subjects: Decision Making; Employment - psychology; Female; Humans; Motivation; Pregnancy - psychology; Women, Working - psychology
• ISSN: 0739-9332
• DOI: 10.1080/07399339409516136

Although women's pattern of employment during pregnancy has markedly changed in the last 30 years, no research has explored the basis of contemporary women's decision making regarding employment during pregnancy. Conceptualizing pregnancy within a life span developmental perspective of adulthood, we used descriptive statistics and content analysis on data from 210 pregnant women to identify factors that influence employment decisions during pregnancy. Intrinsic reasons for working during pregnancy included self-actualization, escape from home, employment identity, and interpersonal contact. Extrinsic reasons for working included money, financial obligations, and employment setting compatibility. Intrinsic reasons for not working during pregnancy included pregnancy-related limitations, home identity, complexity, and family responsibilities. Extrinsic reasons for not working included financial juggle, job availability, and employment setting incompatibility. The results form a basis for anticipatory guidance recommendations for pregnant women.