Pregnant Farmers Must Take Extra Precautions

Women can do any job on the farm or ranch, but when they’re expecting a baby or planning to become pregnant, it’s wise to take additional safety measures or avoid certain situations.

Knesha Rose-Davison is the former public health program director for AgriSafe Network, a nonprofit organization of health professionals and educators in agriculture, and currently serves as assistant director of operations for Mary Ameila Center for Women’s Health Equity Research at Tulane University. She offered safety tips for pregnant women in an AgriSafe webinar.

Reproductive issues go beyond the nine months of pregnancy. “The things you do before, during, and after your pregnancy can have an impact on your future reproductive health cycle,” Rose-Davison said.

Rural women face health disparities compared with their urban counterparts, due in part to a limited number of rural health care providers specializing in women’s health and a lack of access to preventive services.

Livestock Medication

Everyone faces risk when working around livestock. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cattle are the most likely cause of injury or death on the farm for women aged 15-59. Being kicked or crushed are obvious dangers, but pregnant workers must also avoid contact with hormones and zoonotic infections from all livestock.

Two common sources of concern are oxytocin and prostaglandin. “Women have to be very careful to avoid being stuck with a needle while pregnant and working with hormones,” Rose-Davison said.

• Oxytocin is administered to cattle and other livestock to induce labor, help with milk letdown, and treat mastitis.
• Prostaglandin is used to synchronize animals’ reproductive cycles.

An accidental needlestick of either can cause loss of pregnancy in humans. Rose-Davison recommended avoiding contact with these injections completely while pregnant.

Exposure to Disease

Pregnancies can also be threatened by exposure to zoonotic infections (those that can be passed between animals and humans) such as avian influenza, brucellosis, Q fever, listeriosis, chlamydiosis, toxoplasmosis, and leptospirosis. While wearing PPE and washing hands is always a good idea, nothing can make exposure to animal diseases 100% safe for pregnant women and their unborn children.

With human cases of avian influenza A(H5N2) and A(H5N1) on the rise, the CDC conducted a study in January 2025 examining the effects on pregnancy.

The report stated, “We conducted a systematic review examining 30 reported cases of avian influenza in pregnant women. We found high mortality rates for mothers (90.0%, 27/30) and their babies (86.7%, 26/30) when women were infected with avian influenza virus during pregnancy.”

Of the five surviving babies in that study, four were born prematurely. Of the 30 pregnant women identified in the study, most had exposure to poultry, and half were aware of contact with sick poultry.

Since Q fever is often difficult to detect in livestock, those working around them may be exposed without realizing the animal is infected. According to the CDC, “people can get infected by breathing in dust that has been contaminated by infected animal feces, urine, milk, and birth products.” It also stated, “pregnant women who are infected [with Q fever], even without clinical illness, may be at risk for miscarriage, stillbirth, pre-term delivery, or low infant birth weight.”

Attending Animal Births

“Women often work with the reproductive cycle of livestock, dealing with mucus and all kinds of fluids that can be a danger if you’re pregnant,” Rose-Davison said.

Contact with any fluid, including an animal’s saliva, can pose a risk of infection. When those fluids dry and are disturbed, tiny particles are released into the air, where they can be breathed in by humans.

“If you’re not working with head-to-toe personal protective equipment, you could be putting yourself and your pregnancy at risk, whether the livestock is having a healthy delivery or aborting,” she said.

A female large-animal veterinarian participating in the AgriSafe webinar said in the comments section, “I stayed away from kidding and lambing and all small ruminants, even if they had a normal pregnancy and no abortions. Q fever can be aerosolized, so I stopped doing small ruminant C-sections while pregnant. Any aborting animal would be a risk.”

Be Careful With Chemicals

Women who are or are planning to become pregnant should also be careful working with or around farm chemicals. Carefully read the manufacturers’ labels and health warnings and consult your doctor before coming into contact with any pesticide, herbicide, or fungicide.

“Be very mindful of anything you’re working with,” Rose-Davison said. “You have a right to access labels if you’re an employee. If you have to use the chemicals, take the time to understand the risks and the safety protocols.”

Carbon monoxide is another threat to avoid. “You can encounter it in livestock buildings and using pressure washers,” she said. “It’s odorless, harmful to the woman, and is a concentrated exposure to an unborn baby.”

It’s also important to monitor your water, especially if it comes from a well and can be susceptible to runoff. “Infants who are fed formula made with well water are at a greater risk for nitrate toxicity, which is the number one cause of blue baby syndrome,” she said. “Make sure your water is safe for your infant.”

Rights and Responsibilities

Employers are required by law to inform workers about the implications of exposure to chemicals being used and are forbidden from retaliating against employees who request compliance or file complaints. “OSHA wants to help employers keep employees safe, not just to fine them for infringements,” Rose-Davison said.

“It’s very important to understand what you’re working with and how to protect yourself,” she said. “Read the label and wear appropriate PPE that fits, including gloves, clothing, goggles, and respirators.”

Employers should pay attention to the needs of migrant workers. Nearly one-fourth are women, and their average age is 33.

“Migrant workers move from employer to employer, which means they probably don’t have medical homes, which means their care can be interrupted,” Rose-Davison said. “No matter where you live and what kind of work you do, you have the right to a safe and healthy pregnancy and proper safety information for the work that you do.”

Learn More

• Visit agrisafe.org for more in-depth information on this and other health and safety topics. Webinars, printable signs, and other resources are free with registration.
• To file a complaint with OSHA, call 800/321-6742 or visit osha.gov/whistleblower/WBComplaint.