Pregnancy during obstetrics and gynecology residency: effect on surgical experience

This study explored residents' views about pregnancy during residency and the effect leaves of absence had on the quantity of surgical procedures performed.

Physicians who graduated from an obstetrics and gynecology residency between 1994 and 2002 were contacted by mail. Respondents completed a questionnaire and consented to use of the program's surgical database to obtain information regarding surgical procedures performed during their training.

Thirty-one of the 41 eligible resident physicians returned the questionnaire and consent form (response rate, 75.6%). Among the 14 responding men, 2 had taken a total of three nonvacation, noneducational leaves. Among the 17 women respondents, there were 16 leaves associated with deliveries, and the nonvacation, noneducational leave for women who were pregnant was statistically longer than for other residents (median of 6 weeks compared with 0 weeks, P<.001). Most pregnancies were planned (27/29, 93.1%) and were delivered in the third or fourth year of training (11/16, 68.8%). Former residents listed several ways that the program accommodated pregnancy and were satisfied with the program. The mean number of procedures for women with deliveries compared with other residents were as follows: cesarean section, 315 versus 281 cases (P=.20); abdominal hysterectomy, 116 versus 102 cases (P=.08); laparoscopy, 87 versus 92 cases (P=.72); vaginal hysterectomy, 51 versus. 45 cases (P=.11).

Pregnancy and delivery did not decrease surgical experience of four major procedures in this program, and pregnant physicians perceived appropriate support from their colleagues and the program administration.