Pregnancy perceptions and experiences for surgeons and surgical trainees

Although nearly half the numbers of medical school graduates are female subjects, women are less likely to pursue careers in surgical fields. One of the most important barriers for both attracting and retaining female surgical trainees are the negative perceptions about pregnancy and family life as a surgeon. Both men and women perceive childbearing during residency as a potential hindrance to a trainee’s career. Making trainees aware of existing resources and expanding the number of such resources may help create an environment more appealing to women who are considering pregnancy and parenthood during residency, thus decreasing some of the negative perceptions of women having a career in surgery. The perceptions of practicing women surgeons about pregnancy and family life must also change to increase the number of women in the field and capture an equal proportion of the eligible talent because women surgeons are critically important for the support and sponsorship of women trainees.