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Pregnancy, Birth, and Maternity Leave in Neurosurgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery: A Qualitative Study
Leeat Granek1, Sara I McClelland2, Miranda Too3
1School of Health Policy and Management & Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The Journal of Surgical Research
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Female surgeons face significant challenges during pregnancy and maternity leave due to unsupportive workplaces and a lack of formal policies. These issues negatively impact their health and career progression, highlighting the need for structural change.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Surgical specialties
- Reproductive health
Background:
- Female surgeons encounter unique challenges managing pregnancy, childbirth, and maternity leave.
- Workplace culture significantly influences female surgeons' reproductive experiences and career trajectories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how female surgeons navigate reproductive health demands within their professional environments.
- To understand the impact of workplace culture on surgeons' experiences with pregnancy and maternity leave.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study utilizing semistructured, in-depth interviews with 22 surgeons in the US and Canada.
- Inductive thematic analysis of interview transcripts focusing on pregnancy, childbirth, and return to work experiences.
Main Results:
- Surgeons often delay childbearing and face challenges with infertility and assisted reproductive technologies due to unaccommodating workplaces.
- Lack of formal pregnancy policies resulted in continued demanding clinical duties, concealment of pregnancy, and increased risk of complications.
- Maternity leave was frequently an individual burden with financial penalties and pressure for early return, alongside varied experiences with colleagues, from support to hostility.
Conclusions:
- Female surgeons, particularly in specialties like neurosurgery and cardiothoracic surgery, lack adequate formal support systems for reproductive health.
- Urgent need for structural policy changes and cultural shifts to support female surgeons' reproductive health, enhance equity, and improve retention in surgical fields.
