Resident perceptions on pregnancy during training: 2008 to 2015

Perceptions of residents regarding pregnancy during training were compared over time and across surgical, internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, and anesthesia specialties.

A single-institution survey was distributed to female residents in 2008 and to female and male residents in 2015. Nonparametric comparisons of Likert scale response distributions were performed on the supportiveness for pregnancy of the residency program and childbearing influences of female residents in 2008 and 2015, between specialties for each survey year, and between male and female residents in 2015.

The response rates of female residents were 74.8% and 50.5% in 2008 and 2015. In 2015, program directors and division chiefs were perceived to be more supportive of resident pregnancy than in 2008. Surgical residents had lower perceptions of support compared with other specialties. Residents in programs with female leadership perceived a more supportive environment for pregnancy.

Despite persisting negative stigma, residents across specialties report more support for pregnancy.