Pregnancy outcomes of obstetrician gynecologist mothers: a retrospective matched cohort study

Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OB-GYNs) mothers, serving dual roles as healthcare providers and patients, present an interesting demographic for studying this dynamic, particularly in China where empirical data on this subject is limited. The study aimed to determine whether OB-GYNs experience better pregnancy outcomes compared to non-physician women, hypothesizing that their medical background could lead to different health behaviors and outcomes. This was a retrospective matched cohort study conducted at the Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine. It included 100 OB-GYNs who gave birth between January 2012 and April 2022 and a matched control group of 200 non-medical background women. Outcomes measured were Cesarean section rates, emergency cesarean section, operative vaginal delivery, birth weight, Apgar score, and various pregnancy and childbirth complications. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, generalized estimating equation model and Fisher's exact tests. Cesarean section rates were similar between OB-GYNs (32%) and non-physicians (36.5%). OB-GYNs had similar incidences of pregnancy complications compared with non-physicians except postpartum hemorrhage (0% in OB-GYNs vs. 5.5% in non-physicians, P = 0.018). The findings indicate that OB-GYNs do not differ significantly from non-physician women in terms of Cesarean section rates and incidences of pregnancy complications except postpartum hemorrhage.