Childbearing Decisions in Residency: A Multicenter Survey of Female Residents

Abstract

Purpose To characterize how female residents make decisions about childbearing, factors associated with the decision to delay childbearing, and satisfaction with these decisions. Method In 2017, the authors sent a voluntary, anonymous survey to 1,537 female residents enrolled across 78 graduate medical education programs, consisting of 25 unique specialties, at 6 U.S. academic medical centers. Survey items included personal, partner, and institutional characteristics, whether the respondent was delaying childbearing during residency, and the respondent's satisfaction with this decision. Results The survey response rate was 52% (n = 804). Among the 447 (56%) respondents who were married or partnered, 274 (61%) were delaying childbearing. Residents delaying childbearing were significantly more likely to be younger (P