Does a Career in Orthopaedic Surgery Affect a Woman's Fertility?

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Women's Health
• Reproductive Medicine

Background:

• Orthopaedic surgery has low female recruitment, potentially due to fertility and childbearing concerns.
• Female surgeons may perceive orthopaedic surgery as incompatible with family planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate family planning, fertility, and pregnancy experiences of female orthopaedic surgeons.
• To provide data to guide current and future female surgeons in family planning decisions.

Main Methods:

• Anonymous survey distributed to members of the Ruth Jackson Orthopedic Society and Women in Orthopaedics.
• Survey included 168 items on family planning, fertility, pregnancy, and work habits.

Main Results:

• 94% of respondents desired children; 60% had at least one child, with first birth at average age 33.6.
• 53% delayed childbearing due to career; 18% cited career as a barrier to having children.
• 24% reported pregnancy complications, 38% experienced miscarriages, and 106 assisted reproductive technology uses.

Conclusions:

• The majority of female orthopaedic surgeons desire children but face career-related delays.
• Family planning is crucial for female surgeons, necessitating updated fertility and pregnancy data.
• This research supports informed decision-making for women in orthopaedic surgery regarding family life.