When we passed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act in 2022, as policymakers we knew that a national right to workplace accommodations would help pregnant and postpartum workers protect their health, and would promote positive health outcomes for moms and babies across the country. Now, a new study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison confirms exactly that, finding that the law has decreased miscarriage rates by nearly 9.6%.
As this study confirms, being able to access pregnancy accommodations on the job – such as access to water bottles, lighter duty, or chairs to sit on – plays an important role in promoting both maternal and infant health and in reducing the risk of devastating outcomes like miscarriage during high-risk pregnancies. Amidst continued attacks on women’s rights, it is important to emphasize that policies like the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which give expectant moms control over their health, are one of the most powerful ways we can promote positive health outcomes for parents and babies alike.
The data doesn’t lie: policies that allow pregnant people to take control of their health and wellbeing without risking financial ruin are essential to supporting families’ economic security and advancing gender and health equity.