The purpose of this multisite investigation is to attempt to quantify risk or establish baseline rates for the offspring of female soldiers by career management field or military occupational specialty for the following outcomes: spontaneous abortions, ectopic pregnancies, intrauterine fetal demise, preterm birth (PB), low birth weight (LBW), preterm and low birth weight infant, and congenital abnormalities. Currently, 3779 subjects have been enrolled, which consist of 1026 soldiers, 164 daughters of soldiers or military retirees, 2572 spouses of active duty soldiers or retirees, and 20 women classified as other.

This study compared the unplanned pregnancy rate in soldiers against wives and daughters of soldiers. In addition, this investigation evaluated the relationships between a soldier's job, classified into specific job categories, as well as, some of the more common military occupational specialties and spontaneous abortion, small for gestational age, and preterm birth. This investigation found that pregnant soldiers who reside in the barracks demonstrated an unplanned pregnancy rate of 77.9 percent. The odds ratio for unplanned pregnancy in barracks residents was 4.32(3.24-5.78) and the odds ratio for pregnant barracks residents and never previously utilizing oral contraceptives was 2.55(1.87-3.48). These results may suggest access barriers to health care. Soldiers in the logistics job category demonstrated an increased risk of spontaneous abortion, the odds ratio was 1.87(1.20-2.93), within the logistics job category soldiers in MOS 92A demonstrated an odds ratio of 2.55(1.48-4.37). No other occupations were found to be at risk for spontaneous abortion. Soldiers were not, and no soldier job categories were identified at increased risk of S% or preterm birth. The most important predictors of SGA were Asian race 1.75(1.06-2.88), Black race 2.32(1.72-3.13), cigarette use 1/2 to 1 pack per day 2.17(1.45-3.26), and cigarette use more than 1 pack per day 2.71(1.17-6.29). The most important predictors of preterm birth were Black race 2.32(1.72-3.13) and cigarette use less than 1/2 per day 1.59(1.05-2.39).

The primary accomplishment of this study was the documentation of pregnant servicewomen's perspectives on what it means to be pregnant in the military and how work experiences influence delivery outcomes, performance, intentions to stay in the military, psychological well-being, and actual turnover. Comparisons of the demographic characteristics of active duly pregnant women with the population of military women were made. A measure of Work Climate was developed and validated. A longitudinal assessment of maternal medical conditions, turnover, work climate work reassignment, career opportunities. Work absences, turnover and delivery outcomes were tested. Most were not reassigned work due to pregnancy. Primary reasons were exposure to hazardous materials and physical requirements. Reassigned participants were more likely to intend to leave the organization. The majority reported pregnancy had no effect on career opportunities. Psychologically healthy pregnant personnel were more likely to perceive better career opportunities, coworker support and intended to stay in the organization. The majority worked at least 40 hours a week and missed less than one day per month throughout pregnancy. Personnel with more medical conditions missed more work. The majority intended to stay prior to and during pregnancy. Turnover intentions and actual turnover were positively associated. Neither turnover intention nor actual turnover were significantly related to baby outcomes. Covariance structural model results indicated rank, tenure, prior turnover intentions, work climate, and health affected turnover. Maternal medical conditions, psychological health, and work climate predicted complicated baby outcomes. Demographics did not predict adverse delivery outcomes. In a longitudinal model, only changes in psychological health predicted adverse delivery outcomes.

War-related separations challenge families in many ways. The worry and uncertainty associated with combat deployments provokes anxiety in family members left at home. Lengthy separations may challenge the personal, social, and economic coping resources of families at home. In this war, thanks to medical advances, many service members who previously would have died of their injuries are returning home to live long, although altered lives. As a result, families are facing the additional challenge of assisting service members who have experienced amputation, traumatic brain injury, and psychological wounds. These challenges are faced not only by service members in the active component of the armed forces, but also by service members in the National Guard and Reserves. In response, the Department of Defense has launched unprecedented efforts to support service members and families before, during and after deployment in all locations of the country as well as in remote locations. These support efforts are focused not only on medical care, but also mental health care and logistical support. Research about families and war tends to move forward in fits and starts associated with major conflicts, and there is currently an increasing flow of family research moving into the scientific domain. Military Families and the Aftermath of Deployment focuses heavily on the aftermath of deployment for families. It is the first compilation of such chapters released in relation to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and includes contributions from leading researchers from diverse disciplines and arenas, including universities, the Veterans Administration, and the Department of Defense, as well as international researchers from Canada, and Croatia, among others. This work will be of use to graduate students and researchers in family studies, social work, counseling, military science, psychology and sociology.

Background: Pregnant women with a spouse deployed in the military are at increased risk of depression and self-reported stress in comparison to those without a deployed spouse. In non-military populations, women who experience anxiety, depression, and stress during pregnancy face increased risk of adverse birth outcomes. This study aims to determine the association between a spouse's deployment and adverse birth outcomes in a military population. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at Madigan Army Medical Center (MAMC) that examined birth records of all singleton deliveries to dependent spouses from September 2001-September 2011. Logistic regression was used to estimate relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the associations between deployment and low birthweight (LBW,

The Defense Women's Research Program solicited proposals and funded this study on active duty pregnant women, their work experiences and impact on outcomes such as performance, retention, psychological well-being and delivery outcomes. This paper is a phase 1 report that describes the role of positive and negative work experiences of pregnant women in the military and their attitudes about the military, performance, retention and psychological well-being. Longitudinal effects of pregnancy on work experiences, climate, delivery outcomes, and psychological well-being are addressed in subsequent reports. Questionaires were administered to 345 active duty obstetric patients who volunteered at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, National Navy Medical Center, and Womack Army Medical Center. Participants were active duty members of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard. Participants who were in their first trimester and volunteered, completed a follow-up questionaire. Maternal and fetal delivery outcome data was collected from the medical facilities. Descriptive and inferential statistical findings are presented in detail. Results are organized into the following topics: demographics, summary measures, medical history data, ethnicity, pregnancy timing, absences, work reassignment, pregnancy and military career. A brief overview of findings is provided for each topic.