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

Selina C. Poon · Marilan Luong · Damayea Hargett · Shannon D. Lorimer · Cynthia V. Nguyen · Monica Payares +1 more

38 citations0/0 files storedJournal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

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Diversity and Career in Medicine Reproductive Health and Contraception Work-Family Balance Challenges

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Orthopaedic surgery lags behind other specialties in the recruitment of women. Concerns about fertility, pregnancy, and childbearing may be a deterrent to women when considering orthopaedic surgery as a specialty. METHODS: An anonymous 168-item survey was distributed to the members of Ruth Jackson Orthopedic Society and the Women in Orthopaedics, an online group exclusive to female orthopaedic surgeons. Respondents were queried regarding family planning, contraceptive length of use, fertility, perinatal work habits, age and stage at each pregnancy, pregnancy complications, and miscarriages. RESULTS: Eight hundred one surveys were collected. Seven hundred fifty (94%) expressed interest in having children of their own, with 60% having at least one child at the time of the survey. The average maternal age at birth of the first child was 33.6 ± 3.6 years. Voluntary childlessness was reported by 6% (49/801) of survey respondents. Eighteen percent of this group stated that their choice as an orthopaedic surgeon served as a barrier to having children. Among those with children, childbearing was intentionally delayed by 53% because of their career choice (425/801). Fifty-two percent did not conceive their first child until the end of their training. Complications during pregnancy were reported among 24%. A total of 853 children were conceived by this cohort with assisted reproductive technology being used 106 times. Miscarriages were reported by 38% (304/801). Of those who miscarried, only 28% informed their employer and 8% took time off during or immediately after their miscarriage. CONCLUSION: Most respondents desire to have children but two-thirds delay doing so because of their career choice and its demands. Having a family is an important part of life for many orthopaedic surgeons, and our study provides an updated description of the fertility and pregnancy characteristics of female orthopaedic surgeons to help guide present and future surgeons in their family planning.

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References

2022Fertility of Men and Women Aged 15–49 in the United States: National Survey of Family Growth, 2015–2019 2019The impact of occupational shift work and working hours during pregnancy on health outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis 2019Current Trends in Sex, Race, and Ethnic Diversity in Orthopaedic Surgery Residency 2003WOMEN IN SURGICAL RESIDENCY TRAINING PROGRAMS 2012Childbearing and Pregnancy Characteristics of Female Orthopaedic Surgeons 2014Does a Surgical Career Affect a Woman's Childbearing and Fertility? A Report on Pregnancy and Fertility Trends among Female Surgeons 2010Do Women Residents Delay Childbearing Due to Perceived Career Threats?2018The Perception of Pregnancy and Parenthood Among Female Orthopaedic Surgery Residents

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2023What Are the Challenges Related to Family Planning, Pregnancy, and Parenthood Faced by Women in Orthopaedic Surgery? A Systematic Review 2022The other side of conflict: Examining the challenges of female orthopaedic surgeons in the workplace 2022Ethnic and Sex Diversity in Academic Orthopaedic Surgery: A Cross-sectional Study 2022Assessing and Addressing Gender Gaps in the American Society for Surgery of the Hand

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