In the modern era of medicine, Elizabeth Blackwell was the first reported woman to graduate from medical school in 1849 and pursue a career in surgery. Women are entering the surgical profession in more significant numbers, making up 38% of residents2 and 21% of practicing surgeons in the US. A total of 850 surgeons (692 women and 158 men) were included in this survey. In the study of 692 female surgeons surveyed, 290 (42.0%) had a pregnancy loss, more than twice the general population’s rate. Compared with male surgeons, female surgeons had fewer children, were more likely to delay having children because of surgical training, and were more likely to use assisted reproductive technology. Compared with female non-surgeon partners, female surgeons were more likely to have higher pregnancy complications, which was significant after controlling for age, work hours, in vitro fertilization use, and multiple gestations. They worked more than 12 hours a week in the last trimester. Nonelective cesarean delivery (25.5%) and postpartum depression (11%) were seen at a higher rate.
Incidence of Infertility and Pregnancy Complications in US Female Surgeons