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Pregnancy and Fertility Concerns: A Survey of United States Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents
- Source :
- Maternal and child health journal. 25(1)
- Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- Reproductive life planning is an important aspect of OBGYN resident education. Despite learning about declining fertility and the implications associated with delaying pregnancy, OBGYN residents overestimate the age when fertility declines and fertility treatment success rates.To characterize attitudes towards infertility, pregnancy timing, and fertility preservation among OBGYN residents at academic programs in the United States.Cross sectional study of female trainees from 27 academic OBGYN residency programs. A voluntary, anonymous online survey was used to assess reproductive experiences and characterize attitudes towards personal family planning and infertility.Of 756 trainees who were sent the survey, 487 opened the email, and 309 participated (63.4% response rate per opened email, 40.9% overall). The majority of residents expressed a desire to have children, but had not started childbearing (75.8%, n = 210) with a planned delay for career/educational reasons (84.5%, n = 196). The majority planned to have children before age 35 (90%, n = 210). Of those not finished with childbearing, 78.5% reported worrying about infertility (n = 205) and 40.8% reported considering fertility preservation (n = 111). If interested in fellowship, trainees were more worried about infertility (p = 0.01, OR 2.74 (95% CI 1.24 -6.04)).Female OBGYN residents learn to help patients with reproductive planning and many may personally delay family building. To help alleviate anxiety, improve reproductive autonomy, and prevent future regret, OBGYN residents may benefit from counseling regarding declining fertility with age and the advantages and disadvantages of fertility preservation, specifically emphasizing the realistic chance of success with oocyte cryopreservation compared to conception at a young age.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Cryopreservation
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Attitude of Health Personnel
Fertility Preservation
Internship and Residency
Intention
United States
Obstetrics
Cross-Sectional Studies
Fertility
Gynecology
Pregnancy
Family Planning Services
Physicians
Surveys and Questionnaires
Oocytes
Humans
Female
Infertility, Female
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 15736628
- Volume :
- 25
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Maternal and child health journal
- Accession number :
- edsair.pmid..........4c59e85bf691d9eadb4e3aa7f789103b