<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The proportion of women in the workforce has been steadily increasing worldwide. Women now constitute approximately 75% of the global health workforce and almost 90% in nursing and midwifery professions. The present times have witnessed a dramatic gender shift in the speciality of obstetrics and gynaecology. Women now comprise a significant proportion of practicing obstetrics and gynaecology specialists all over the world. In 2018, more than 80% of resident doctors and nearly 60% of physicians in the speciality were female, far exceeding any other surgical speciality. Most resident doctors and a significant proportion of practising physicians in obstetrics and gynaecology are in the reproductive age group. They will become pregnant at some point in their training program or career. The present review focuses on all work-related exposure risks for pregnant obstetrics and gynaecology professionals. It discusses the risks of infectious diseases, radiation, stress, violence against doctors, and even peer support (or lack of it) that can have deleterious effects on the health of pregnant physicians and the health of their unborn foetuses.</p></abstract>

The proportion of women in the workforce has been steadily increasing worldwide. Women now constitute approximately 75% of the global health workforce and almost 90% in nursing and midwifery professions. The present times have witnessed a dramatic gender shift in the speciality of obstetrics and gynaecology. Women now comprise a significant proportion of practicing obstetrics and gynaecology specialists all over the world. In 2018, more than 80% of resident doctors and nearly 60% of physicians in the speciality were female, far exceeding any other surgical speciality. Most resident doctors and a significant proportion of practising physicians in obstetrics and gynaecology are in the reproductive age group. They will become pregnant at some point in their training program or career. The present review focuses on all work-related exposure risks for pregnant obstetrics and gynaecology professionals. It discusses the risks of infectious diseases, radiation, stress, violence against doctors, and even peer support (or lack of it) that can have deleterious effects on the health of pregnant physicians and the health of their unborn foetuses.

Occupational risks to pregnant obstetrics and gynaecology trainees and physicians: Is it time to think about this?

Journal of Mother and Child

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

The proportion of women in the workforce has been steadily increasing worldwide. Women now constitute approximately 75% of the global health workforce and...

Occupational risks to pregnant obstetrics and gynaecology trainees and physicians: Is it time to think about this?

Article Category: Review articles

Published Online: Jul 20, 2022

Page range: 111 - 117

Received: Jan 10, 2022

Accepted: May 15, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.34763/jmotherandchild.20222601.d-22-00006

Keywords
Occupational risks, pregnancy, health care workers, obstetrician, gynaecologist, teratogenesis, radiation exposure, violence against doctors

© 2022 Mishu Mangla, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Occupational risks to pregnant obstetrics and gynaecology trainees and physicians: Is it time to think about this?

Article Category: Review articles

Published Online: Jul 20, 2022

Page range: 111 - 117

Received: Jan 10, 2022

Accepted: May 15, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.34763/jmotherandchild.20222601.d-22-00006

KeywordsOccupational risks, pregnancy, health care workers, obstetrician, gynaecologist, teratogenesis, radiation exposure, violence against doctors

© 2022 Mishu Mangla, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
Occupational risks, pregnancy, health care workers, obstetrician, gynaecologist, teratogenesis, radiation exposure, violence against doctors