The ACOG opinion is timely because more women than ever before are a part of the workforce, said Rebecca Jackson, MD, a member of ACOG’s committee on obstetric practice and a coauthor of the opinion. Dr. Jackson recently participated in a multidisciplinary work group that addressed legal issues around employment accommodations for pregnant women. Dr. Jackson said she approached ACOG about creating formal guidance on the subject after hearing about the many employment challenges pregnant women experience and how the way physician notes are written can greatly influence accommodations.
“As health care providers responsible for caring for women, it’s essential our guidance addresses the key considerations for maintaining women’s health – this often includes work environments, particularly for pregnant and immediately postpartum women who may have specific health care needs requiring adjustments or accommodations,” Dr. Jackson said in an interview. “Obstetric care providers must be equipped with the necessary and relevant guidance to appropriately support their patients or refer them to additional resources, like legal assistance. This guidance is an important component in building that knowledge among women’s health care providers and ensuring more women can access the care and treatment they need when they need it without compromising their careers or income.”