Health hazards of working night shifts...
By Rexy_leigh
@Rexy_leigh (1189)
Philippines
March 12, 2007 1:01pm CST
...My boyfriend often ask me if am really happy with my work now, especially with my schedule coz am working on night shift. And I give a straight YES. but then his face saddened coz he thought that that could be a reason why it's hard for me to get pregnant. He once told me that his aunt said that if we want to have a baby soon, I better work with regular schedule..like the working during the day coz working night shifts brings a couple of health hazards according to her. Working night shifts can disrupt hormone rhythm thus leading to some health risks like cancer, irregular menstrual cycle, infertility, and miscarriage in some women though we can just adjust to this sleep/wake pattern.
What can you say about this? Please let me hear your views... Godbless!
8 people like this
48 responses
@retardedrugrat (4791)
• Canada
12 Mar 07
I haven't heard anything like what your hubby's aunt has said before, but the only way to really find out for sure is to talk to your OBGYN and see what they say.
I personally don't see how night shift women would/could find it harder to get pregnant than women who work a regular day shift, but there does seem to be some evidence to support this theory as stated by various other members in the comments.
Take what everyone says here with a pinch of salt. If you want a child, then you need to talk to an OBGYN, or your regular doctor who may be able to give you some tips and advice.
Good Luck.
2 people like this
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
12 Mar 07
I don't really think that has much to do with it. I've worked in and around hospital for years. Night shift women got pregnant just as much as the others. If you are concerned about it visit your OB and discuss it with him.
@fliffy555 (1044)
•
12 Mar 07
to me working the night shift is no different to working a day shift for one simple reason ... the day becomes my night and the night becomes my day... i used to work 12 hour shifts at night... come home and sleep through the day... then i was asked to do the day shift... same hours... i noticed no different... except obviously during the change as i was used to sleepin in the day so it took a while for me to get used to it but i was working in the same place same hours... only difference was the area was warmer in the day as it was like a heat magnet... i cannot say i was trying to have a baby whilst i was there and ill admit that just the work put a lot of strain on me and i missed many periods so maybe your husbands aunt was right... it gave me a very irregular menstrual cycle but i definetly dont have cancer or infertility and i was working there for over a year... hope this helps you... good luck too if you are wantin a baby!
1 person likes this
@revdauphinee (5703)
• United States
12 Mar 07
they could be right because i worked night shif for 22 yrs and today my heath stinks i believe if i were you id listen to them i wish i could go back i know i wouldnt do it!
1 person likes this
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
12 Mar 07
For all that your aunt says, it is in fact true that night shifts might affect your health. The reason being that it changes your pattern of sleep. Of course, the counter argument for this is what if we were living in US where the timings are different. The argument is well taken, the only point is do you really get to sleep properly during the day. There are too many disturbances and if your husband has a office in the day, then off and on you would get disturbed. All this leads to body getting strained.
The other thing that you need to think is the food habits. If in a night shift, you are still able to follow healthy food habits and avoid junk foods, you give yourself a good chance of becoming pregnant. Avoid chinese food, pizzas and all those items that contain ajinomoto.
Cheers and all the best!
Ram
@healthyiswealthy (99)
• Philippines
12 Mar 07
hhmmm you have to explain to your boyfriend that you are still happy with your job and ..based on your discussion, it shows that you are not yet ready to have a child, of course that u cant say to ur boyfriend...hehehe just try to find a good excuse, tell him that a regular sked job is much lower than the compensation that your getting right now.something lie that!
2 people like this
@Jellen (1852)
• United States
13 Mar 07
Interrupted sleep does have a health affect, according to research. Night shift workers do not follow the sunlight patterns of healthful living and sleeping. I once worked night shift and it was a real weight gain for me. I would rather work afternoons and evenings, than nights.
@ForbiddenBeauty (209)
• United States
13 Mar 07
I think that also depends on where you work. I work at a hospital and nightshifts are fine for me. The only ones that ive worked with who have gained weight are those who eat all during the night and dont eat healthy enough/dont excersize. When you work nightshift you dont eat during the day AND at night thats what most people do wrong. and definatley dont eat before you go to sleep in the morning if anything have a light snack. Then at night eat some sort of big meal, breakfast is always a good choice, then pack a lunch dont get fast food or eat whats their, then snack on apples and fruits. Keep yourself up with good things, not as much caffenine etc. Also Walk, you need to excersize that will keep your mind awake and focused. Im 5 ft. have worked nightshift two years, and full time student. Im healthier than most people, and so are many of my friends. My mom worked 16 years on nightshift and had a happy healthy boy after 3 years of doing it. Some people just cant handle it that well.
@GardenGerty (160665)
• United States
12 Mar 07
I had not heard that specifically, but it does make sense. I think it depends on how good you are at getting enough daytime sleep. I know rotating shifts is the hardest on the body, and the moods, and is one of the worst things a company can ask of its employees. It is better to be on one shift, all the time, even if it is overnight, than to rotate or vary them.
1 person likes this
@smilingurvashi (1151)
• India
12 Mar 07
Yeah, i completely agree with you. I myself have worked in night shifts before and know how stressful it is. my colleague has complained of having painful periods while in night shifts.Working a night shift can also lead to longer pregnancies and lower birth weight babies, researchers have found. The researchers examined Danish statistics and concluded: "Night work may prolong the duration of pregnancy and reduce fetal growth."
so i think its a sad story and women should not prefer working in graveyard shifts if given to choose.
1 person likes this
@chakotay (240)
• Romania
13 Mar 07
Working a night shift can lead longer pregnancies and lower birth weight babies, researchers have found. The study of more than 40,000 Danish women looked at the experience groups who worked during the day, evenigs, nights and those who worked rotating shifts.the researchers say thay found no statiscally signifiant differences in the lenght of pregnancy or the birth weight of the baby among women when comparing all non-daytime shifts with those who worked only during the day. However, singling out night shifts workers, they found a high risk ofg post -therm birth; fixed evenig workers had a risk of a full-term low birth weight; and shift workers as group showed a slight excess of low-weight babies. Low birth weight is seen as warnig sign for bad health in a baby, with these babies having a higher mortality rate. The researchers conclude: "Night work may prolong the duration pregnancy and reduce fetal growth, expecially among industrial workers."
@tator_tot8073 (698)
• United States
15 Mar 07
To be completely honest with you, I have heard those same things. I love working the night shifts. I'm more of a night person. I was told that working night shifts it throws off our biological clocks, and causes changes in our hormone levels. You aren't the only person that has heard this before. That very well could be the reason I have lost 2 children and seem to have problems conceivng. Do you what you feel the most comfortable doing. Good luck.
@ruelou (263)
• Philippines
13 Mar 07
maybe on longterms of having night shifts schedules like 3 to 4 months. Though night shifts. It depends on how you manage yourself and handle stress.
@laststand5182 (43)
• Philippines
13 Mar 07
It is true that there are health hazards when your work schedule is the night shift but you would also need to consider how long have you been on that schedule, if you are a smoker, a drinker. I used to work on the night shift and there is truly a difference on one's body when you sleep at night compared to when you sleep in the daytime. I didnt have any problems working the night shift when i was pregnant but the company i used to work for didnt allow pregnant woment on the night shift. You might want to inquire with your company if they have a policy like that and you might want to consider the day shift temporarily if you do decide to have a baby. -)
@Bee1955 (3882)
• United States
13 Mar 07
Rubbish! Old wives tales one and all. Being depressed and unhappy will bring those things, but not working nights. I've worked nights most of my life, my mother did and so does my daughter (we're all nurses) and we have 7 children between us. Dont listen to false tales, honey!
@diannebcrs (1549)
• Philippines
13 Mar 07
i read an article in the paper that there are health hazards brought about by night shift. for instance the liver processes detoxification at night so when we're all pumped and when we're not resting, it's gonna affect that. also the lungs are affected by the night sked as well. well, those and then some, you might want to check on the philippine daily inquirer, it actually posted all the physiological functions affected by this.
@uniquesoul (230)
• Canada
13 Mar 07
Im not sure if this is a proven fact but think if u sleep well during the day drink alot of water and eat healthy I don't think personally that it will have much effect on u, I figure it all depends on how u treat ur body..I can tell u that if u are ment to concieve and have no health problems as why u can't have children then u should be able to have a child either way if it is night shift u are working or the day shift it all depends if it is ur will to have a baby.. I am glad to hear u enjoy ur job and that it is all working for u. Or world becomes what u believe so if u are content with ur work and other thing's in ur life just give it time.When the time is right the baby will come..Good luck
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
13 Mar 07
I really don't think that's the reason for it.. are you having enough "attempts"? But hang on, did you say boyfriend? Are you sure you want a baby before you get married?
@nimhoney (43)
•
13 Mar 07
i have no idea about this.but i want you to listen to what they are saying because its your life and dont take any risk.more than money life is important.if now u dnt listen to them and if in the future when it comes true ul feel guilty about your decision so give more importance to your life than money....
@itsmeamit (169)
• India
13 Mar 07
it effects our health very badly!!!!!!!!!!!!
due to nigh shift we cant sleep properly, we have to work on com late night which effect our sight also
