Occupational Risks to Pregnant Anesthesia Trainees and Physicians: Are We Ignoring Something Important?

The proportion of women taking up anesthesiology and critical care as their careers has increased considerably in the last decade. Currently, women constitute 35%-40% of the total anesthesia workforce in some countries. Most resident doctors and a significant proportion of practicing physicians in anesthesia are in the reproductive age group. They are or will become pregnant at some point in their training program or career. This review focuses on all work-related exposure risks for anesthesia professionals during pregnancy, like risks of infectious diseases, radiation, stress, violence against doctors, and even peer support that can have deleterious effects on the health of pregnant physicians and the health of their unborn fetus. An occupational work environment more compatible with pregnancy is the need of the hour.