Jun 14, 2021

Research Reveals Physicians Delay Pregnancy at a Higher Rate Compared to Other Ontarians

Headshots of Dr. Cusimano and Dr. Simpson
By

Nicole Patton | Coordinator, Communications & Events

Headshots of Dr. Cusimano and Dr. SimpsonBecoming a parent is a milestone that many women and gender-diverse individuals experience in Canada every year, however, there is a population that has had a very different experience with pregnancy. A recent study has shown that physicians who identify as women in Ontario have either delayed or abandoned their plans to have children at a higher rate than others in the province.

"We looked at over 5,000 physicians in Ontario and compared them to over 26,000 non-physicians," said Assistant Professor Dr. Andrea Simpson, one of the study's researchers. "By age 30, women physicians were one-third as likely to have children (12%) as non-physicians (38%)."

The study revealed that physicians do ultimately "catch up" to other Ontarians, but this means that they experience pregnancy at an older age. Unfortunately, researchers have found that delayed pregnancy may be associated with increased adverse pregnancy outcomes, especially as physicians are three times more likely to have children over 37-years-old when compared to other Ontarians. The delay may have become longer in recent years due to extended training pathways through university, medical school, residency and possible fellowships or other educational opportunities.

"Physicians-in-training should be supported to have children whenever they want to," said Dr. Simpson. "We still have a lot of work to do in supporting them in their roles as physicians and parents."

Study researchers included Department members Dr. Simpson, resident Dr. Maria Cusimano and cross-appointed Professor Dr. Joel Ray, along with their colleagues Dr. Nancy Baxter, Dr. Rinku Sutradhar, Eric McArthur, Dr. Amit Garg and Dr. Simone Vigod. The team hopes to expand their research with a further study on how delayed pregnancy may be associated with increased adverse pregnancy outcomes for physicians.

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