Navigating family planning and career development in plastic surgery

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Reproductive Health

Background:

• Women in plastic surgery training face unique challenges balancing career demands with reproductive health.
• Delayed childbearing is common among residents due to long training durations and competitive environments.
• Progress in gender representation and policy exists, but significant gaps remain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the pressures and barriers faced by women in plastic surgery residency regarding pregnancy and parenthood.
• To review existing literature and identify key domains affecting trainees' reproductive health decisions.
• To provide recommendations for improving support and normalizing parenthood during surgical training.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a narrative review of PubMed/MEDLINE and professional society resources (2000-2025).
• Performed a systematic PubMed search (2015-2025) identifying 11 quantitative studies on plastic surgery residents.
• Analyzed data on pregnancy timing, parental leave, fertility, disclosure, lactation, mentorship, and work-life balance.

Main Results:

• Many trainees postpone pregnancy and receive limited fertility counseling.
• Approximately 40% are dissatisfied with leave policies, and 20% delay childbearing.
• Inadequate institutional support, childcare, lactation facilities, and rigid scheduling contribute to stress.

Conclusions:

• Systemic, cultural, and biological barriers hinder parenthood during plastic surgery training.
• Multi-level action is needed, including policy reform, expanded support resources, and mentorship.
• Normalizing parenthood and implementing best practices can strengthen interest in plastic surgery careers for future trainees.