Women fear pregnancy affects work opportunities

A new survey carried out by Johnson & Johnson of 3,000 first-time pregnant women reveals that women worry that having children will adversely affect their careers.

In a modern working environment where more and more women are combining motherhood with a career, the stigma attached to being pregnant actually put some women off having children.

Concerns about work meant that 37% of respondents thought that having a child meant they would be passed over for promotion and pay rises and 23% had put off having children for fear of an impact on their career.

It was discovered that women actually worked harder when they were pregnant to avoid accusations of work avoidance and 42% felt uncomfortable about admitting they were feeling unwell.

The main concerns about having children were work and relationship connected; many mothers-to-be were worried about financial security and over half feared that their relationship with the father would change after the birth.

Sexual equality has also made a difference with men beginning to take a closer interest in their children. Psychologist Dr Maureen Marks said : "The survey found that many men took a keen interest in the pregnancy, with 44% of women saying their partner knew the same or more than them about having a baby"

Julie Crisp