Survey of women physicians on issues relating to pregnancy during a medical career.

Abstract

Many women in medical training want to combine a family life and a career. Of major interest to these women is determining the most desirable time for pregnancy during their medical education and career. The results of a study on women physicians' timing of pregnancy are reported. A 53 percent response rate was obtained in a randomized national survey of women physicians who had completed residency training and were less than 50 years of age. Their first pregnancies (of which 77 percent were planned) occurred as follows: prior to medical school, 4 percent; during medical school, 7 percent; in first year as house officer, 11 percent; in other residency year, 32 percent; in fellowship year(s), 13 percent; in practice, 28 percent, on leave or other, 5 percent. Seventy percent of the respondents considered "after completion of residency" to be the best time to become pregnant. Sixty percent of the respondents' maternity leaves were six weeks or less in duration. Seventeen percent required some medical leave before delivery, although only 5 percent required more than eight weeks of medical leave. Only a third reported that their training or work sites had maternity leave policies. Ninety-one percent of the respondents reported satisfaction in their careers.