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When a baby arrives, pregnant women and their families may consider moving into a new home looking for more space or a better location. But a new study suggests that in some cases, a move during pregnancy can increase the risk of premature delivery.
The researchers in the study badyzed data from more than 100,000 pregnant women in Washington State. The investigators found that women who had moved in the first trimester of their pregnancy were 42% more likely to give birth prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) and 37% more likely to have a baby's weight at birth below average, with pregnant women who did not move during the first trimester.
The study, published today (July 30) in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, is one of the first to examine the link between moving into a new home and the harmful consequences for birth, have said the authors. [18 Ways Pregnancy Changes Your Body Forever]
Nevertheless, the study revealed only one badociation and does not prove that the move causes premature births or other harmful consequences for the birth. Researchers in the study may not be able to take into account other factors, such as the reason for the move, that may affect the risk.
Based on this study alone, it is too early to recommend that women avoid moving during pregnancy, said the authors.
"Our study is a good first step in identifying displacement as a potential risk factor that deserves more in-depth research, but I do not think we know enough at this stage" to make recommendations. writes senior author of the study, Julia Bond, of the Department of Epidemiology. at the School of Public Health at the University of Washington, said Live Science.
In the meantime, Bond advised pregnant women to discuss any potential stressors during pregnancy, for example during a move, with their health care team.
Stressful movement
Previous studies have shown that pregnant women who experience stressful events in the first trimester – such as natural disasters, economic crises or job losses – are at increased risk of pregnancy problems such as premature births.
But little is known about the risks of moving during pregnancy, even though nearly one-quarter of women move to a new home during pregnancy, the authors said.
As part of the new study, researchers badyzed information contained in the birth certificates of babies born in the state of Washington from 2007 to 2014. Given that birth records indicate the life span of the mother at her current address, they were able to determine if she moved during her first trimester.
Overall, the study included data on approximately 28,000 women who moved in the first quarter and approximately 112,000 women who did not move during this period.
Among those who moved during the first trimester, 9.1% gave birth prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy), compared to only 6.4% of those who did not move during the first trimester, found the authors of the study.
In addition, among those who moved in the first trimester, 6.4% had a baby considered to have a "low birth weight" (less than 5.5 lb or 2,500 grams), compared to 4, 5% of mothers who did not move during the first trimester. quarter.
The results obtained even after the researchers took into account some factors that may affect the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight, such as the age of the mother, her level of involvement, and the risk of low birth weight. education, socio-economic status and smoking habits.
Behind the link
The new study did not explain why the move during the first trimester was badociated with an increased risk of premature labor and low birth weight. However, there are several factors that may play a role in this link, including interruptions in health care during the move; physical tension or emotional stress of movement; and disruptions in the social support of family and friends, who may live further after the move.
Whatever the case may be, "ask patients if they are planning to move out and use it as an opportunity to counsel patients on stress-reduction techniques and continuity of care can to be beneficial, "the researchers wrote in their article.
Ms Bond said she hoped that future research could take a closer look at the different reasons for the move, such as looking for a bigger house responding to an eviction or a dangerous situation, so that they would be better off. to examine whether these factors affected the link.
"I think this will help us better understand why we are seeing an badociation between the move and these harmful birth outcomes," Bond said.
Originally published on Science live.
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