Pregnancy and Residency — Overdue for Equity

Despite incremental progress, residency programs remain structurally and culturally ill equipped to support pregnant trainees, perpetuating gender inequities in medicine. This perspective article, authored by three female physicians with personal experiences of navigating pregnancy during residency, highlights systemic barriers such as grueling schedules, lack of paid leave, and career penalties for taking time off. While recent policies such as the American Board of Medical Specialties’ 6 week paid leave and state level reforms offer improvements, inconsistent implementation persists. The authors advocate for structural changes, including flexible schedules and institutional accountability, to align medical training with the biological and professional needs of trainees. They argue that equitable support for pregnancy and parenting is not an accommodation but a necessity, particularly as women now comprise the majority of medical students.

Despite incremental progress, residency programs remain structurally and culturally ill equipped to support pregnant trainees, perpetuating gender inequities in medicine. This perspective article, authored by three female physicians with personal experiences of navigating pregnancy during residency, highlights systemic barriers such as grueling schedules, lack of paid leave, and career penalties for taking time off. While recent policies such as the American Board of Medical Specialties’ 6 week paid leave and state level reforms offer improvements, inconsistent implementation persists. The authors advocate for structural changes, including flexible schedules and institutional accountability, to align medical training with the biological and professional needs of trainees. They argue that equitable support for pregnancy and parenting is not an accommodation but a necessity, particularly as women now comprise the majority of medical students.